New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

New Kent soars over Jamestown, caps off successful Senior Night

By Robb Johnson | November 2, 2019 1:28 pm

New Kent Senior Brandon Bauman (60) squashes Jamestown running back Damian Tavarez on a play that resulted in no gain.

Robb Johnson photo

After falling by less than two points or less in multiple contests early in the season, New Kent’s Trojans looked to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in Friday night’s contest against the visiting Jamestown Eagles. Thanks to forcing miscues by the visitors, New Kent found themselves on the right side of the scoreboard at the end of Senior Night.

Scoring the first 17 points of the contest, the Trojans disposed of Jamestown 32-14 in the last home contest of the season, upping their record to 4-5 with a date at Smithfield next Friday that will be pivotal in their quest for a second straight playoff appearance.

New Kent used an air attack for their first score, as quarterback Nathan Thornton hurled a pass to receiver Joey Campbell, who hauled in the ball over double-team coverage for a 7-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the opening frame. The Trojans added a field goal as time expired in the first for a 10-0 advantage.

Jamestown’s mistakes in the second quarter eventually proved costly. After surviving a botched snap on a punt, a subsequent fumble on the next series resulted in New Kent diving on the ball in the end zone, for a score.

Just before the half, Jamestown finally got a much-needed break as Thornton was sacked and loss possession of the ball. Eagle linebacker Chris Baller picked up the pigskin and took it in from 45 yards out as time expired in the first half to cut New Kent’s lead to 10 (17-7).

It wouldn’t be until the fourth quarter when the Trojans finally added a security net with more points on the ball. Trojan running back Kaleb Wiles found the in the end zone for a score. Later, Thornton connected with Logan Frederick on a 42-yard catch and run that sealed the contest for New Kent’s win.

John Fulks, New Kent’s head coach, talked about the improvement needed by his team in making a playoff appearance a possibility.

“We are still not winning the turnover battle,” he said, speaking of miscues his team is continuing to make. “I think we set a record for turnovers this season.

“We have to eliminate that, and we have to execute blocking up front,” Fulks continued. “We did some good things that gave us a short field, but we have to be able to drive the ball down the field and tackle better.”