The Essex Trojans continued their winning ways Friday night defeating Northern Neck District foe Colonial Beach, 47-8, in Tappahannock.
Big plays were the order of the day, as the Trojans, now 7-0, put up a commanding lead early.
Dominek Broaddus threw five touchdowns finding DeAndre Baylor and Keith Bundy twice.
Rahiem Rolling scored two rushing touchdowns and Baylor also ran one in.
“Our defense played really well,” said Essex head coach John Fulks. “They did not execute perfectly, but they played well, and the quarterback distributed the ball well, and we had the big plays when we needed them,” he added.
The first big play of the night was a 35-yard touchdown pass from Broaddus to Baylor about halfway through the first quarter.
Broaddus found Bundy for a 20-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter.
Baylor ran from about three yards out to put up the third Trojan touchdown with about three minutes left in the half. The missed two-point conversion made it 20-0 at the half.
Rolling scored from 20 yards out early in the third, and Broaddus connected with Baylor for the biggest play of the night, an 80-yard pass, that gave the Trojans a 33-0 lead late in the third quarter.
Broaddus found Bundy on a 57-yard pass play that made it 40-0 with only 23 seconds left in the third quarter.
Colonial Beach got on the board with three minutes left in the game as Tim McDowney scored on a short yardage strike. Dion Gonzalez added the two-point conversion.
But Essex was not done as Rolling registered a 66-yard run that set up Rolling’s four-yard touchdown run. Jason Compton’s kick made for the 47-8 final.
The Drifters fell to 3-4 with the loss. “I think we would have been scrappier except we gave up three fourth and five plays, a third down and thirty touchdown and two third and fifteens,” said Colonial Beach head coach Scott Foster. “If we could just hold – stop the big play,” it might have been different, he added. “But we came in knowing they are a big play team. We played a very good team, and we can make ourselves better if complete the plays we need to complete. If we just hold (together), it turns out better for us.”
On Oct. 12, Washington & Lee traveled to Northumberland and defeated them on homecoming 27-6, and in outside of Kilmarnock, Lancaster won their homecoming over Rappahannock 47-8.
Rappahannock (4-3, 1-1) will have their homecoming game when they host Washington & Lee (5-2, 2-0) on Oct. 19. On the same night, Lancaster (4-3, 1-1) will travel to Essex (7-0, 2-0) and Colonial Beach (3-4, 0-2) will be at Northumberland (1-6, 0-2). All games start at 7 p.m.
Rappahannock’s second district game ended in a 36-21 loss to Lancaster.
But the team hopes to gather themselves for homecoming this Friday as they welcome members of the last state championship team from 1968.
On Oct. 12, the visiting Raiders opened the game with a touchdown score following a 45-yard drive. Rappahannock took a 7-0 lead after running back Andre Brown ran in a 13-yard touchdown and kicker Aaron Rock knocked down the extra point.
Lancaster would soon take the lead after running back TreVaughn Davis capped off a 70-yard drive by the offense with a a three-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion pass attempt thrown by quarterback Kedrick Lee to Demetrick Lee was completed to give Lancaster an 8-7 lead after the first half.
In one of the most detrimental periods for Rappahannock, the Raiders witnessed Lancaster take a 22-7 lead in the second quarter before they could score again. In the second quarter, Rappahannock had four key penalties, a turnover and a fumble.
Lancaster’s first score came from Ricky Gibson after he rushed for a 16-yard touchdown followed by a catch on a two-point conversion thrown by Lee. The next score came after a controversial call made by game officials.
Rappahannock’s tight end Aaron Rock connected with his quarterback Will Hoover for a big gain, but it didn’t count for much after it was ripped by Gibson. Rappahannock fans and players were convinced that their receiver was down in Lancaster territory.
Lancaster took advantage of the turnover, led by Davis with his second touchdown of the game on a one-yard run into the endzone. The two-point conversion attempt was no good giving Lancaster a 22-7 edge.
But before the half, Rappahannock managed to close the Lancaster lead with a touchdown score by receiver Tylek Sorrell from Hoover for a 14-yard reception. Rock’s kick closed the score with Lancaster leading at halftime 22-14.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Davis scored his third touchdown of the game after a 61-yard drive by Lancaster. Davis scored on an 11-yard run to give Lancaster a lead of 28-14. The two point attempt was no good.
Rappahannock’s offense responded quickly after Lancaster’s score to open the quarter. Hoover connected with Sorrell again, but this time on a 65-yard touchdown pass followed by Rock closing the Lancaster lead with a kick.
But Lancaster’s quick strike offense answered a 53-yard touchdown run by Jovonte Smith followed by Gibson scoring on the two-point attempt. Lancaster led 36-21 over Rappahannock.
Neither team managed to score in the remaining 20 minutes 15 seconds left in the game. During that time Rappahannock had four penalties called against them, Rappahannock’s Romeo Jackson caught an interception, Casey Roane forced a fumble and Sorrell recovered it.
“I thought our effort was better than has been in three weeks, but on both sides of the ball they concentrated better and did some of the little things better that they haven’t,” said Lancaster coach Fred Birchett.
“It’s a little unfortunate for us all. Our kids played hard, they [Lancaster] played hard and we left it all on the football field and that is what’s important,” said Rappahannock coach William West. “We hope to be motivated next week…we’re trying to progress to the next level , but first try to take care of business for homecoming.”
On Oct. 12, Washington & Lee traveled to Northumberland and defeated them on homecoming 27-6, and in Tappahannock Essex won their homecoming over Colonial Beach 47-8.
Rappahannock (4-3, 1-1) will have their homecoming game when they host Washington & Lee (5-2, 2-0) on Oct. 19. On the same night, Lancaster (4-3, 1-1) will travel to Essex (7-0, 2-0) and Colonial Beach (3-4, 0-2) will be at Northumberland (1-6, 0-2). All games start at 7 p.m.
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