Hopewell runs through New Kent in regional quarterfinals, ends Trojans’ football season

New Kent’s Chase Wiles (2) and Nathaniel Christian (right) wraps up Hopewell running back A.J. Monroe as they clog up the hole for a stop.

Robb Johnson photo

Hosting their first home football playoff game in 22 years, New Kent wanted to make an impact statement in Friday night’s Region 3A quarterfinal contest against the visiting Hopewell Blue Devils. Unfortunately for the Trojans, being unable to stop the run put the hosts in a hole that they couldn’t get themselves out of.

Four touchdowns by Hopewell running back A.J. Monroe proved too much for the Trojans as the Blue Devils spoiled New Kent’s playoff hopes with a 27-14 win.

It didn’t take long for Hopewell to grab the lead. Less than two minutes into the contest, Monroe took a handoff up the middle, spun off an opponent, and raced 45 yards for a score. After a three-and-out for New Kent, Monroe once again found the end zone from 20 yards out for a touchdown, this time pushing Hopewell’s lead to 14-0 less than four minutes into the contest.

The first half continued to be disastrous for New Kent as every offensive drive yielded zero points. Meanwhile, Monroe would find the end zone for the third time, this time running the ball in from 47 yards out just before the halftime intermission, allowing the Blue Devils to head into the break leading 21-0.

New Kent finally received their momentum swing at the beginning of the third quarter. A Monroe fumble deep in Trojan territory resulted in New Kent’s Jaxon Foreman recovering the ball. New Kent wasted little time as the drove the ball down the field in less than two minutes, with Foreman cashing in on a one-yard plunge to cut Hopewell’s lead to 21-7.

The Blue Devils attempted to milk the clock methodically as they once again drove the ball down the field. However, another fumble resulted in another Trojans’ recovery. New Kent once again made the visitors pay, this time as Ben Christian scored on the opening play of the fourth quarter, slicing Hopewell’s advantage down to seven (21-14).

But on the ensuing kickoff, Monroe would return the ball deep into New Kent territory, putting the Trojan defense in an uncomfortable position. Moments later, a 10-yard scamper by Monroe added what would amount as the final points of the contest, leading to Hopewell’s victory and ending the Trojans’ season in the regional quarterfinals.

After the game, New Kent Head Coach Scott Giroimo reflected on the game and the season for the Trojans.

“I believe this group had grit and it was our best quality,” he commented. “We had a very good year and I’m grateful for this group’s investment in our team, culture, and their personal growth.

“They bought into so many new methods and processes and gave us a chance to redefine a standard of excellence for this program,” Giroimo continued. “It’s the foundation for a broader change we all hope for and we can see the future from here.”

New Kent will lost 10 players to graduation, including Christian who led their team in total offense. The team concluded their season with a 7-4 record.