New Kent scores eight TDs on ground, romps Bruton 61-6

New Kent’s Evan Branch (1) breaks up a pass intended for Bruton wide receiver Milyon Mitchell.

Robb Johnson photo

As New Kent hosted the visiting Bruton Panthers on Friday night at the Ed Allen Jr. Complex, it was as simple as saying that the guests were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

New Kent accumulated 466 rushing yards and scored nine total touchdowns, steamrolling Bruton 61-6 in the Bay Rivers opener for the Trojans.

After benefitting from an early Bruton kick catch interference penalty, the hosts rode the legs of running back Evan Branch. Branch’s three consecutive carries, including the last for 36 yards, put the hosts up 7-0 less than two minutes into the contest.

Bruton responded, moving the ball to New Kent’s 21-yard line before settling for a field goal attempt. But a surge from the line of scrimmage resulted in a Trojan block with the Trojans’ Brody Smith scooping up the pigskin and racing 67 yards for score number two.

Branch’s second touch to start the next quarter saw him scamper 77 yards for a score, upping the lead to 19-0. After forcing a Panthers’ three and out, it was Kyle Coles turn to tote the rock. Coles produced a 50-yard touchdown run at the 4:23 mark and followed up that score with a four-yard plunge just before halftime, bestowing a 33-0 advantage for the hosts heading into the break.

New Kent opened the third quarter with a Ryan Curle to Slater Gammon 22-yard pass completion. The next play saw Branch scamper 22 additional yards and a third touchdown.

Bruton’s bright spot on the night came on Adam McMillion’s 70-yard pass connection with Millyon Mitchell to cut the deficit to 34 (40-6) ath the 9:59 mark. But 20 seconds later, Coles’ fullback dive was met without opposition, allowing him to run 81 yards for a touchdown. Scores were added by Trojan backs Joey Campbell and V’Jon Hampton to account for the final score at the mercy of a running clock.

New Kent head coach Clark Harrell pointed to the corrections made from the home opening loss to Colonial Heights on Aug. 31.

“We protected the ball tonight,” he said, pointing to the eight fumbles in the matchup with the Colonials. “Had we done that against Colonial Heights, this would have been the result.”

Harrell also offered praise to the play of defensive backs who nullified a usually potent air attack of the visiting Panthers.

“We gave up that one long pass to start the third, but overall we had our guys playing straight up man-to-man,” the head coach added. “We did a great job and now our focus turns to going and playing a tough Poquoson team on their field next week.”

New Kent notches win number two in a row, improving their record to 2-1.

Passing (attempts/completions/yards)
B- McMillion 10/21/142 yards, 1 TD.
NK- Curle 1/2/22 yards.

Receiving (catches/yards)
B- Mitchell 1/70, 1 TD; Mahoney 4/21, Miekzarek 3/17, Richards 1/12, Uvodich 1/12.
NK- Gammon- 1/22.

Rushing (carries/yards)
B- Mitchell 6/29, Campbell 1/24.
NK- Coles 16/209, 3 TDs; Branch 6/170, 2 TD; Campbell 3/61, 1 TD; Hampton 2/26, 1 TD.