Second half collapse ruins New Kent’s homecoming

New Kent receiver Slater Gammon holds on to the ball, despite a hard hit from Warhill defender Eric Brown, after hauling in a first quarter pass from quarterback Mike Burt.

Alan Chamberlain photo

A disastrous second half — notably being unable to either stop Warhill’s ground attack or mount a successful series on offense — spoiled New Kent’s homecoming celebration.

The visiting Lions scored three rushing touchdowns following Friday night’s halftime festivities. The defense then limited the host Trojans to 18 total second half yards and two first downs on the way to a 27-0 shutout.

Warhill’s defense concentrated on New Kent’s Davion Barnes, holding the Trojan running back under 100 yards for the first time this season. He finished with 93 yards on 15 carries and had only four touches after the break.

The Lion offense, meanwhile, erupted for 239 second half yards, just missing the 400-yard mark for the game with 397. New Kent totaled just 124.

The Trojans marched into Warhill territory on the game’s first possession, reaching the Lion 39 yard line before stalling and electing to punt. Early in the second quarter, the Trojans again crossed the midfield stripe, this time on a 32-yard Barnes scamper to the 21 yard line.

But a high snap on the next play led to a fumble and an eight-yard loss. On fourth down and 17 from the 28, wideout R.J. Morris had a step on a Lion defender on a post pattern inside the 20, but Mike Burt’s pass sailed just beyond the receiver’s fingertips. Warhill took over, driving 72 yards on 13 plays to break the scoreless tie on Collin Bright’s one-yard run with 13 seconds left in the half.

After forcing a Warhill punt on the second half’s opening series, the Trojans marched from their own 12 yard line toward midfield, aided by a 15-yard Burt-to-Morris aerial. But the drive ran out of downs at the 41 and after a punt, the Lion ground game took over.

Bright’s 11-yard burst up the middle capped a seven-play, 72-yard TD drive. Then after a Trojan four and out, Bright raced 28 yards to the end zone on the eighth play of a 75-yard march. A subsequent four and out led to Bright’s fourth TD midway through the final quarter.

New Kent fell to 2-6, with both wins coming on the road. The Trojans close out the season away from home, traveling to Poquoson next week and finishing the following week at Lafayette.