Grafton rolls past New Kent 62-12

New Kent running back Trent Orie breaks into the open with the help of blocks from Trent Ragland and Grayson Webb on the way to the end zone for New Kent's first touchdown.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Grafton’s Clippers amassed over 500 yards from scrimmage and scored frequently on the way to a 62-12 Friday night football thumping of New Kent’s visiting Trojans on York High’s Bailey Field.

After New Kent managed one first down before punting on the game’s opening offensive series, the Clippers’ Trevaun Walker raced 68 yards on the hosts’ first play to trigger the one-sided affair. Grafton scored on four of its next five possessions — only a missed field goal standing in the way of a perfect five-for-five — to claim a 35-0 lead at the half.

“It was really a few big plays that was the difference,” said New Kent head coach Dan Rounds. “And it all comes down to responsibility. We had a number of missed tackles again tonight.”

The Clippers scored their second TD on a 76-yard swing pass out of the backfield. A 28-yard connection after quarterback D.J. Dobbins bought time scrambling in the backfield before having his choice of open receivers near the end zone opened a 28-0 margin. The hosts scored on a punt return and a 62-yard gallop after the break.

New Kent, meanwhile, stuck to its ground game led by Trent Orie’s 81 yards on 19 carries and Davion Barnes’ 71 yards on 14 totes.

The Trojans averted a shutout with a pair of late fourth quarter scores, both set up by respective R.J. Morris kickoff returns of 77 and 64 yards. Orie scored from 18 yards out while Morris sprinted 24 yards for the final TD.

“When you run the ball like we do, it’s hard to catch up,” Rounds said.

The Trojans never took to the air until 30 seconds remained before halftime, and threw just twice for the game, completing one for three yards. Rounds said lack of a passing game is a matter of personnel, adding, “We don’t have anybody who can throw the ball.”

That could change in the future, he indicated, pointing to a talented freshman class on the rise and underclassmen already pressed into service on the varsity level. Starting guards on the offensive line against Grafton were a freshman and sophomore, he added.

But that still leaves a ground game as the primary weapon, and that attack suffered a crippling blow Friday night. Barnes and fullback John Elswick, two of the four starting runners out of the backfield, sustained apparent concussions, Rounds said, placing their availability in doubt for next week’s contest with Tabb at the same Bailey Field site. Both also start on the defensive side.

“If they can’t play next week, they’ll be hard to replace,” Rounds added.

Friday night’s outcome dropped the Trojans to 1-3 on the season.