New Kent’s offense smothered by Poquoson, falls 27-0 to Islanders
New Kent's Evan Branch (1) looks to turn the corner while being pursued by Poquoson's Donovan Edwards (5) and Noah Hunter (12).Robb Johnson photo
New Kent entered the 2018-19 season with high expectations with returning players and a new coach with winning experience. But injuries combined with inconsistent play on the field along with play-calling, the Trojans felt the wrath of a superior team Friday night.
Poquoson’s Islanders dominated New Kent 27-0, sending the Trojans to their second straight loss at home and silencing the hosts’ run game.
New Kent’s best drive of the night came on the opening series. The hosts marched down to the Islanders’ 44-yard line before facing a fourth and one. The play turned ugly with a bad snap, leading Trojan back Evan Branch tackled in the backfield for a four-yard loss and turning the ball over to the visitors. Poquoson wasted little time, orchestrating a 52-yard march down the field that was capped by Bailey Green’s 17-yard tote into the end zone to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
The Trojans survived Poquoson’s late first half drive as Islander quarterback Steven Parker fumbled inside the Trojans five-yard line with New Kent senior defenseman Dean Powell recovering the focus. Hoping that positive momentum carried over into the third quarter, the Trojans’ defense had no answers for Poquoson’s ground attack. Islanders running back Colten Hicks capped off a three-yard plunge to bestow a 17-0 lead to the visitors. On the ensuing kickoff, New Kent’s Adam Cable coughed up the ball after being hit with the visitors Gabe Williams plunging on it. Like clockwork, Poquoson worked down the field with Parker making amends for his earlier muff with a one-yard sneak and an advantage that was too much for the Trojans to overcome.
New Kent head coach John Fulks showed clear frustration, speaking about everything that led to his team’s defeat.
“I think we ran into a fine-tuned machine than we are right now,” he said. “They are a machine that has been running for five years and it’s hard when you don’t have all hands on deck.
“I did feel our defense played well,” Fulks continued. “Our offense got blown up.”
Despite the injuries the team is currently facing, the coach commented that more consistency needs to be in place for the team to be successful.
“It all comes down to execution,” Fulks added. “We have guys at new position sand we are trying to define who we are.
“We need better protection and need to compliment [running back] Evan Branch with more weapons,” he continued. “He’s a major weapon in the Bay Rivers District.”
New Kent was held to 94 yards rushing, with 72 of them coming from Branch. By comparison, Poquoson ran for 209 yards and three touchdowns.