New offense pays off for New Kent in 42-28 conquest of Warhill

New Kent running back Evan Branch leaves Warhill defenders in his wake on a 22-yard scoring dash for his second of five touchdown runs on the night.

Alan Chamberlain photos

A week ago, New Kent unveiled its new wing-T attack after the coaching staff opted to scrap the spread offense the Trojans had utilized through six football games this season. The result was a near upset at powerful Smithfield.

“It was simple,” head coach Clark Harrell said regarding the change. “Let the big ones block and the fast ones run. Sometimes we tend to over-coach these things.”

Friday night at Warhill, the big guys did their job, opening holes for the speedsters to scamper for over 400 yards in a 42-28 upset victory, ruining homecoming for the host Lions.

“We felt like it was a better way to get the ball to our fastest players,” Harrell said. “Our offensive line is pretty solid, and we thought this was the best way to put our best foot forward.”

Final statistics justified the decision. Running back Evan Branch carried 27 times for 201 yards and five touchdowns. Backfield mate C.J. Reeders ran for another 165 and a touchdown on 16 carries. And when a shoulder injury forced Reeders out of the game in the third quarter, Kyle Coles came off the bench to add 40 yards on the ground along with a crucial 25-yard catch to set up a game-tying TD in the fourth quarter.

But while the offense put points on the scoreboard, including a trio of fourth quarter TDs that overcame a 28-20 Warhill lead, kudos went to the defense for making those scoring drives possible. After the Lions mounted their 28-20 advantage late in the third quarter, the Trojan defense grabbed control of the contest, holding the hosts to minus-25 yards the rest of the way.

“We’ve been a defense-oriented team all year,” said Harrell. “Tonight our defense made good opportunities for our offense.”

New Kent stopped the Lion’s game-opening possession on downs. Two plays after a Lion punt, Branch burst over the left side on a 41-yard touchdown jaunt. The next Lion series ended in a fumbled snap and linebacker Bryce St. Clair’s recovery. Two plays later, Branch sprinted 22-yards to the end zone for a 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the game.

“We really had a chance to put on the knockout blow in the first half,” Harrell said. “But then there was a bad snap on a punt and we gave up a double dive to them.”

The poor snap from punt formation led to the Lions’ Trey Drummond recovering in the end zone for a touchdown. Then on Warhill’s next possession, Rodney Hudson raced 67 yards to help create a 14-14 halftime deadlock. Also, New Kent came up empty on two other first half trips inside the Lion 20-yard line.

But the Trojans moved back in front on the third quarter’s first play from scrimmage. The right side of the offensive line opened the way for Reeders’ 67-yard TD run.

Warhill answered on Bryce Koob’s six-yard run, capping a nine-play, 71-yard march, and Fletcher Whalen’s placement that placed the hosts in front for the first time (21-20). Then on the ensuing kickoff, the Lions covered an on-sides kick to set up Karrington Thompson’s 28-yard TD run with 2:38 left in the third quarter.

New Kent regained composure, and despite a steady second half rain, embarked on a 65-yard march capped by Branch’s 12-yard run. Coles’ conversion run created a 28-28 deadlock.

On the next Warhill series, Trojan defenders dropped Lion ball carriers for 18 yards in losses, forcing the hosts to punt from deep in their territory. Taking over at the Lion 35-yard line, the Trojans overcame a holding call before regaining the lead for good (34-28) on Branch’s nine-yard run with 4:11 remaining.

A subsequent Trojan defensive stand inflicted seven lost yards on the Lions, resulting in another punt from deep in the hosts’ territory. Moments later on fourth and three and with less than two minutes to go, Branch sealed the win on a 30-yard touchdown run.

The outcome reverses a three-game losing skid for the Trojans and evens their record at 4-4.

New Kent defender Darius Jones hauls down Warhill running back Rodney Hudson.