King George blanked the Trojans by being tough versus the run.
TAPPAHANNOCK- The Essex Trojans have been comfortable with always having a high powered offense that can score points at anytime and from anywhere. Unfortunately, so far this season they haven’t been able to score at anytime from anywhere. The frustration began to show at times as the Trojans got blanked for the 2nd week in a row.
The toughest thing for many to understand is the fact that the talent is there but for now things aren’t clicking and that has gotten Essex to a 0-2 start. King George did as advertised running with Jordan “Fabio” Aley and literally taking whatever the Trojans gave them.
King George cashed in the first and last Essex turnover into points aided by Cannon Zylonis
It was a time for giving and the Foxes were happy to receive as on the very first offensive play for Essex as the Trojans fumbled and the Foxes recovered in the Trojan backfield at the 15-yard line. The Foxes would bang their way to the 2-yard line where Aley would do the honors putting the Foxes up 7-0 with the 10:45 mark in the 1st.
From there it would just become a turnover derby as Essex would after throwing an interception on a previous position recovered a fumble at the King George 20-yard line. The Trojans would take one of their top athletes in Adarious Jones and line him in the backfield. He would break down the home sideline to the 5-yard line and scoring would looking like a good possibility.
Jones was able to give the crowd some brief offensive excitement.
The Foxes would make adjustments and would stuff the Trojan runners in the backfield forcing KJ Dameron to have to throw to the back corner of the endzone. The attempt would end up being an interception. That would be the closest the Trojans would come to scoring all night.
Late in the second Essex would throw and interception with 41 seconds until half. King George wouldn’t be able to capitalize. Essex would hold but the punt could not be gathered in and King George had a chance to put up more points but wasn’t able to take advantage as Tim Johnson would make the interception.
King George lead at the half 7-0. Essex had 5 turnovers to King George 2 at the half.
Essex would move the football on the first possession of the second half but it all ended when the back would fumble with 8:28 to go in the 3rd. King George would give it right back at the 7:35 mark and then Essex would fumble it back with 6:29 to play in the 3rd.
Essex would throw another interception. This time Aley would make the grab but they wouldn’t have it long as King George would fumble with 1:04 to play in the 3rd quarter. Essex finished the 3rd with 3 turnovers and the Foxes had 2.
Running lanes opened up for Jordan Aley in the 2nd half.
The turnover battle looked to be coming to an end. As the defense remained on the field they began to get tired and King George had a true drive that led to points. Aley strolled into the endzone making it 14-0 King George as they capped off an extensive drive with 1:10 left to play.
Essex would get their biggest offensive play of the night when Johnson would break lose down the visitors sideline until Aley would make the tackle. Not long after Essex would throw another interception as Aston Howard would take 82-yards for a touchdown as the buzzer sounded.
King George (2-0) will now go home to face Liberty-Bealton next week while Essex (0-2) plays at King William.
Johnson was the best offensive weapon on the night for the Trojans.
Aley rushed for 131 yards off 16 carries for the night. King George rushed for 227 yards versus the stinger Trojan defense. King George had 4 turnovers for the 2nd consecutive game while Essex finished with 9 on the night.
KING GEORGE 7 0 0 13 - 20
ESSEX 0 0 0 0 - 0
KG- Aley 2-yard run (Charles Parker kick)
KG- Aley 11-yard run (Parker kick)
KG- Howard 82-yard interception return (no attempt)
