Good defense not enough for CC to subdue Sussex

Panthers Khairi Wyatt (left) and Tyler Allen (right) open a hole for running back Jaquane Wyatt. Click on Photo Gallery for more photos.

Andre' Jones photo

Charles City Panthers’ defense held its own at Group A fourth-ranked Sussex Central. Unfortunately, the offense vacated the field during the contest against the Tigers.

Charles City (3-4, 1-2 Tri-Rivers) turned the ball over five times and failed to convert four Sussex Central (8-0, 2-0) turnovers into scores as the host Tigers earned a 36-0 victory during the Oct. 19 contest.

Sussex Central threatened to put the game out of reach in the early going. John Jones’ 42-yard punt return would lead to signal caller Deqwandre Jones connecting with John Jones on a 30-yard touchdown pass to take an early 8-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, J’Son Flowers jarred the ball loose from Panther return man Jaelan Cotman. While Cotman would strip Tiger halfback Darian Curley on the next play, Curley would score later in the quarter to increase the lead to 14-0.

Charles City’s defense awoke in the second quarter with a surge of energy. After forcing Curley into his second fumble and stopping Sussex Central on its next drive, Panther quarterback Jovan Howard hooked up with Avery Jones on a quick screen. Jones would elude one defender and race 61 yards to the opponent’s nine-yard line.

Unfortunately, reverse would be the only direction for the visitors, as the furthest they would advance was the two-yard line. Charles City’s last chance to score before halftime was thwarted by John Jones’ interception of Howard.

In the third, a bad snap by the hosts led to Panther linebacker Jaquane Wyatt’s fumble recovery. Charles City squandered the opportunity when Howard threw his second interception on the night, this time to Tiger safety Charles Bryant.

Sussex Central didn’t waste the opportunity inside the Panthers’ 30-yard line. Deqwandre Jones connected with Bryant on a fourth and long with a 28-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 20-0.

Charles City’s defense prevented further increases in the scoring column, as John Jones fumbled a reverse that Panther linebacker Garrett Smith recovered as the teams transitioned into the fourth.

After a three and out by the visitors, Curley broke for his longest run of the night. Curley received a handoff from the shotgun formation and ran into a pile of Panther defenders. As the defense tried to bring him down and strip the ball, Curley spun, put his hand on the ground and maintained his balance on his way to a 59-yard touchdown run.

Sussex’s defense would close the deal in the fourth quarter. Howard threw two more interceptions, with the latter taken by John Jones back to the end zone for another score and the final margin.

The Panthers’ ample opportunities to score seemed to be the pinpoint of head coach Steward Greene’s frustration after the game.

“I believe we did an outstanding job on the defensive side of the ball,” Greene said. “We had several key stops and forced several fumbles.

“We were inopportune on offense and that hurt us tonight,” he continued. “We had possession of the ball but ended up giving it right back. We didn’t move the ball down the field when we had the chance.”

Charles City’s offense managed 137 total yards, whereas Sussex Central accounted for 357 total yards, most coming on big plays. Charles City’s lone bright spot on the night was defensive tackle Jaelen Williams. Williams accumulated 20 total tackles and helped hold Curley to 185 yards rushing. Curley averaged 275 per game heading into the contest.

“We have two games to get back to .500,” said Greene. “But it’s going to start when we capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.”

Charles City—- 0 0 0 0 —— 38
Sussex———– 14 0 6 16 —— 36
1st Quarter
Sussex (9:34)- J. Jones 30 yard pass from D. Jones (Curley run) 8-0
Sussex (3:14)- Curley 4 yard run (pass fail) 14-0
3rd Quarter
Sussex (9:04)- Bryan 28 yard pass from D. Jones (run fail) 20-0
4th Quarter
Sussex (10:44)- Curley 59 yard run (Bryant pass from D. Jones 28-0
Sussex (3:51)- J. Jones 40 yard interception return (Scott run) 36-0

Rushing (attempts/yards)
CC- Howard 13/39, Greene 7/14, Vaden 4/-2, J. Wyatt 2/-3, K. Wyatt 1/5.
Sussex- Curley 25/185, Scott 11/65, D. Jones 6/23, J. Jones 2/7, Wooden 2/3, Jarrett 1/0.
Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
CC- Howard5/19/84, 4 Int.
Sussex- D. Jones 4/13/74, 2 TD.
Receiving (receptions/yards)
CC- J. Wyatt 3/11, Jones 1/61, Greene 1/12.
Sussex- Bryant 3/44, J. Jones 1/30.