New Kent’s run game grounds Grafton en route to 49-7 homecoming win
New Kent’s Jakub Bowen (44) delivers a key block that springboards New Kent’s Braylon Simpson (1) to a 27-yard run.Robb Johnson photo
Sometimes hitting a groove at the right time can be as much as a motivator as putting a product out on the field. Such was the case for New Kent Friday night.
Behind more than 300 rushing yards, the Trojans walloped the visiting Grafton Clippers 49-7, notching their fifth victory in a row and celebrate with a win on Homecoming Night.
It would take barely over a minute into the contest for the Trojans to get on the scoreboard. A 10-yard scamper by Blake Gregory put the hosts on the scoreboard.
Grafton attempted to respond, using a high-octane offense to move the ball all the way down to the Trojans’ two-yard line. But New Kent’s stingy defense thwarted the scoring attempt, regaining possession of the ball.
The Trojans wasted little time with their running attack to strike again. First, a 27-yard tote by Braylon Simpson gave the hosts breathing room. Moments later, Sherwyn Wynn carried the ball down the sideline for a 52-yard score to up the home team’s advantage to 14-0.
New Kent’s special teams would get on the act next, as a punt to Trojan return man Owen Payne resulted him coasting 70 yards for another score and a 21-0 lead. In the early moments of the second quarter, Gregory would strike again with a 49-yard carry as New Kent led comfortably 28-0 mere seconds into the second quarter.
The Clippers began moving the ball, looking for a little bit of offensive momentum in any way possible. Grafton was able to get to New Kent’s nine-yard line when the home team halted their fourth-and-goal attempt, ending the drive.
On the very next play, Wynn took a handoff and ran away from defenders, racing 91 yards for another Trojan touchdown and providing the hosts with a 35-0 advantage, which they carried into halftime.
In the second half, Grafton was able to get into the end zone, utilizing a touchdown pass to remove the zero off the scoreboard. But New Kent’s offensive firepower continued to overwhelm the visitors, with Wynn notching his third score of the night and Nehemiah Christian adding a score to account for the final margin.
After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Scott Girolmo spoke about the win and the adjustments made throughout the season.
“The early part of the season saw us playing four Thursdays in the first six weeks of the season,” he said. “The early part is the most critical part to teach situational football.
“When you are starting a freshman and sophomore on the offensive line along with two juniors for the first time ever, it’s hard to get reps,” Girolmo continued, speaking on the ability for the offensive line to gel. “Monday through Thursday is a testament to these kids’ effort and their focus on winning the drills, stacking days in practice and continuing that to win the game Friday night.”
New Kent’s record improves to 6-3 on the season.