Despite New Kent returning scores, York delivers knockout blow in 36-21 gridiron victory

New Kent’s Khoen Christian (4) shows grit despite being dragged by York’s Jayden Johnson (10) and Grady Steele (13) on a 20-yard run.

Robb Johnson photo

“That one play does not define you.”

That was the message New Kent Head Football Coach John McCauley sent his team after a squib kick resulted in an onside recovery for the visiting York Falcons. However, that play did spark York to take a seven-point halftime advantage and turn it into a 36-21 victory in Friday night’s Bay Rivers District contest.

The game started off quickly with a York score as Zacchaeus Maxfield scamped 55 yards down the sideline for the first touchdown of the game, providing the visitors an early 6-0 lead.

New Kent responded on the next drive. With Cincere Hicks and Taylor Bandy anchoring the same side of the offensive line, the duo opened holes and as the Trojans marched down the field in just over five minutes. Ashton Whitlow capped the drive off with a one-yard run for the hosts, and with the converted kick, New Kent took its first lead of the night (7-6).

But that lead would be the Trojans only one of the contest. With 7:45 remaining in the second quarter, Jordin Lennon plunged into the end zone from one yard out to return York to the lead. A two-point conversion by Shamarius Whitby stretched the gap to 14-7 in favor of the visitors at the halftime intermission.

Opening up the third quarter, York elected to squib the ball on the ground to discombobulate the hosts. The plot worked as New Kent’s Myles Tall could not corral it as the Falcons recovered. Taking to the air as their namesake mascot, Falcon quarterback Landon Buffin connected with Lennon on a third and long from 37 yards out, tallying another touchdown for the guests.

The Trojans responded once again at the end of the third. After Whitlow scampered 38 yards, he added six more yards that carried him in the end zone with 1:26 remaining in the third to cut York’s lead back down to seven (21-14).

New Kent had an opportunity to tie the game, as Buffin fumbled the ball away for the Falcons that was recovered by the Trojans Brayson Pridemore. However, York failed to yield a score to the hosts.

On the next drive, Lennon found a path down the sideline for a 73-yard score to aid in York doubling up on New Kent (28-14) with 7:52 on the clock. But once again New Kent responded less than a minute later, as Whitlow hurled a 52-yard bomb to teammate Ryan Gray for another score, reducing the deficit to seven once again (28-21).

But that positive momentum was quickly drained by York, as on the ensuing kickoff Whitby snagged the ball at his own 25-yard line. The middle of the field parted with Falcon blockers as Whitby coasted 75 yards for a Falcon score. A Lennon stroll into the end zone upped the visitors’ advantage to 15 (36-21) with 6:44 remaining in regulation.

New Kent took possession at their own 32-yard line. But with the offense unable to move the ball, McCauley decided to punt the ball on fourth and long, something that he had no regrets talking about after the game as York ran the remaining time out.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel like the play call was going to be good enough to get us a first down,” McCauley said when asked about punting with his team down two scores. “That was my bad and it was my fault.”

“That kickoff was busted because it was over their heads and they [York] was playing up,” the head coach continued, pointing to the big touchdown return that ultimately distanced the visitors from the Trojans. “Unfortunately, the kick was supposed to be deeper.”

New Kent is not in an uphill battle to fight for a playoff position. After dropping four straight, their record now stands at 2-4 on the year.

“We have to keep executing the way we did tonight,” McCauley said as he wrapped up his interview. “We did some good things, and we came out and made some adjustments. It is mental errors that are killing us, and we are still battling injuries. Luckily, we got a couple of kids back tonight and hopefully we get some back next week as well.”