Goochland's Calvin Martin tries to escape the hands of Essex Bryan Richards
TAPPAHANNOCK- The big matchup of the season to kick-off the 2015 football season for 2A and 1A lived up to its billing as the #1 ranked in 1A Essex played host to #6 in 2A Goochland. There was excitement from the very beginning to the end where both of these powerhouse programs showed how badly they wanted this one.
The excitement exploded like a shook up soda bottle as Goochland struck first when Calvin Martin bobbled the kick-off and gathered it at the 1-yard line and then found a seam to his right and went untouched for a 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. Goochland had struck first but knew this one was going to be a battle.
Coach John Fulks’ group showed composure as on the kick-off return Rasaun Monroe tried to squeeze by the last defender for a big return near mid-field. Later, Tesahn Nelson would throw a perfect pass to Kenny Johnson in stride for a 51-yard touchdown that would tie things 7-7 with 9:04 in the 1st quarter.
Goochland would march down into Essex territory for what was one of the key reasons things didn’t go as plan. Reid Chenault’s pass into the endzone would be intercepted at the 3-yard line missing a chance for some needed points.
Essex would answer driving down the field and going in from 2 yards out to make it 14-7 early in the 2nd quarter. Goochland would answer later in the quarter as the double wing began to pay big dividends as Daric Clarke plunged in from 5 yards out to nod things up at 14.
The Trojans was going down the field trying to get a score but Nelson’s pass would be intercepted at the Goochland 27-yard line with 2:32 and would return it into Essex territory. Soon after Chenault would throw a pinpoint accurate pass over the right shoulder of Scott Carter who hauled it in the left front corner of the endzone to give Goochland a 21-14 lead at the half and the momentum.
Essex would try to run the ball better in the second half and had Goochland on their heels with just under 6 minutes to play in the quarter. A snap gone astray would be unable to be gathered by Nelson as Goochland had recovered with 5:30 left to play in the 3rd.
With the lead Goochland would turn to Wyatt Smith to churn out yardage while burning the clock. The Bulldogs appeared ready to go up two touchdowns where on 4th and goal Chenault would have another redzone interception as Malik Martin was able to get the pick right at the goal line at the 11:48 mark of the game.
Richards looks for daylight behind a wall of blockers.
2 minutes later Martin would explode down the home sideline for a 65-yard touchdown run to charge up the home crowd as the extra point attempt awaited. Monroe would take the snap and roll to his right and find Bryan Richards for the lead taking two-point conversion to give the Trojans a 22-21 lead with 9:45 left to play.
Following Essex momentum shifting score, Goochland would stall out and would be forced to punt. Essex would then use their size to grind out the smaller Bulldog defenders eating up clock. Jordan Payne would go beast mode on the game clinching drive setting the Trojans up for another score as Monroe would do the honors from 5 yards out to give Essex a 29-21 lead.
Coach Joe Fowler’s squad with under 2 minutes to play struggled to get valuable yards and faced a 4th and 4. Chenault completed a good pass that ended up so close that the refs had to measure. The Bulldogs were short and the Trojans began to celebrate their first of what is expected many big wins of the season.
Essex (1-0) will next take on 4A King George (1-0) who is coming off a 43-0 win over Washington & Lee. Goochland (0-1) will play their home opener versus Fork Union.
GOOCHLAND 7 14 0 0 - 21
ESSEX 7 7 0 15 - 29
KING WILLIAM 38 MADISON COUNTY 3
Ryan Huffman took over the quarterback spot delivering a similar performance that Cavalier fans have become use to from their qb. Huffman rushed 8 times for 102 yards and passed for 216 yards accounting for 4 touchdowns to lead King William to victory on the road. Madison County scored first with a field goal and then Michael Carter returned the kick-off 90 yards for a score. King William faces Bruton next.
OTHER REGION A SCORES
Brunswick 26 Roanoke Rapids(NC) 21
Cumberland 22 Charles City 8
Greensville County 41 Weldon(NC) 14
Mathews 14 Northampton 8
Northumberland 38 Surry 0
Poquoson 42 Southampton 0
Prince Edward 61 Windsor 8
Rappahannock 6 Nandua 0
Trinity Episcopal 40 Sussex Central 24
