Lack of execution plagues Charles City as Drifters roll

Charles City’s Jayron Jones (52) gets enough grip to wrap up and pull down Colonial Beach running back Kindrick Smith.

Andre' Jones photo

Charles City’s Panthers returned home for the first time in a month looking to duplicate their previous feat in Leon C. Miles Memorial Stadium and come out with a win. Unfortunately for the hosts, the visiting Drifters from Colonial Beach hit early… and often.

Two touchdowns within the first three minutes of the game launched Colonial Beach to 36 first half points, eventually leading to a 48-0 shutout of the home-standing Panthers.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the guests wasted little time finding the end zone. Operating out of the single wing formation, running back Corvion Davis would take a sweep around the left side two plays into the contest. When the Panthers took possession of the ball, running back Rashawn Shine was stripped of the ball, leading to a 52-yard fumble return by linebacker Kindrick Smith. A run by Anajai Lewis that found the end zone put the guests up 22-0 at the end of the first frame.

Charles City’s offense sputtered, with many Drifter defenders penetrating the offensive line and making plays in the backfield. Meanwhile, Lewis would add another score on a punt return while Smith’s fullback dive from one-yard out accounted for the 36-0 halftime advantage. A blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone by Colonial Beach plus a Trey Allison three-yard run in the second half accounted for the final scores in the contest.

After the game, a distraught Panther coach Steward Greene spoke about the effort put together in the contest.

“We didn’t do any of the fundamentals right tonight,” he said. “Our blocking schemes did not live up to our expectations and we did way too much arm-tackling tonight.

“I have told these kids that Friday nights come down to personnel and execution,” Greene continued. “We had a plan in place and were in the right spots to make the plays but instead, we whiffed and gave up more than 300 yards rushing tonight.”

Charles City (1-3) will travel to Washington & Lee next Friday.