Thirteen-second lapse spoils CC homecoming victory bid

Charles City fullback Cecil Tyler (8) is able to lunge forward for a first down while being upended by Middlesex’s Zach Halstead.

Andre' Jones photo

A 13-second letdown by the host Charles City Panthers at the end of the first half would turn what once was a competitive contest into a lead that the visiting Middlesex Chargers would never relinquish.

Middlesex quarterback Marques Holmes tossed a touchdown and ran another one in with less than a minute left until the game’s midpoint as the Chargers eclipsed the Panthers 28-12 in the Tidewater District clash.

Early on, it looked like the same story of giving up scores quickly that’s plagued the hosts all year would repeat itself. After Charles City went three and out on the opening drive, Holmes would connect with a streaking Brett Carter on a 43-yard pass to give the guests a 6-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

Charles City failed to be discouraged as on the first play of their next offensive series, running back Jaquane Wyatt took a quick-pitch and tip-toed down the sideline 60 yards for a score to tie the game at six apiece.

In the second quarter with Middlesex threatening to score, Charles City freshman Mason Jefferson intercepted Holmes in the end zone and returned the ball 65 yards. The Panthers failed to capitalize from the turnover and were forced to give the ball back to the visitors.

The Chargers didn’t squander the opportunity as Holmes scored on a bootleg run from five yards out to give the guests an eight point lead (14-6) with 58 seconds left until halftime. On the ensuing kickoff, a squib kick rolled in front of Panther players who were unable to recover. The turnover proved costly, as Holmes connected with tight end Robert Drewry from 33 yards out 11 seconds later for another touchdown. Joseph Cockrell’s placement gave the guests a 21-6 halftime advantage.

After a scoreless third quarter, Middlesex would gain additional breathing room when fullback Shakim Paige plunged into the end zone from three yards out to make it 28-6 with just under 11 minutes in the game.

Head coach Alan Jones elected to go with a change at the quarterback position, bringing in freshman quarterback Troy Crawley while sending starting quarterback Khairi Wyatt to the tight end position. The move paid dividends as Crawley connected with Wyatt three times on the drive. Crawley continued to orchestrate the drive, as passes found their way to wide receivers Kyle Jones and Brian Hicks. Hicks hauled in a 21-yard completion for his first career touchdown, slicing the guests’ lead to 28-12.

The Panther defense stopped Middlesex’s offense in the late stages of the game when Jones’ second interception gave the team the ball with just under a minute remaining. Crawley’s final pass attempt fell into the arms of Charger defender Drewry, sealing the win for the visitors.

After the game, the Panthers’ head coach commented about the 13-second lapse of focus at the end of the second quarter.

“We just didn’t focus and we didn’t hustle to the ball,” said Jones. “We played lackadaisical and our whole team showed inexperience on that play.”

Jones, however, did compliment the team’s performance, but knows there are still things they have to work on.

“This is the best we’ve played all year and we’ve got to go hard at practice,” he added. “We can still go 3-2 in the district.”

For now, the Panthers stand at 0-2 in the district and winless on the year with a 0-7 record. Middlesex improves to 3-4 for the year and 1-1 in the district.

Middlesex——— 6 15 0 7 —28
Charles City—— 6 0 0 6 —12
1st Quarter
M (9:12) Carter 43 yard pass from Holmes (kick fail) 6-0
CC (7:38) J. Wyatt 60 yard run (run fail) 6-6
2nd Quarter
M (0:58) Holmes 5 yard run (Carter pass from Holmes) 14-6
M (0:45) Drewry 33 yard pass from Holmes (Cockrell kick) 21-6
4th Quarter
M (10:49) Paige 4 yard run (Cockrell kick) 28-6
CC (5:44) Hicks 21 yard pass from Crawley (pass fail) 28-12

Rushing (attempts/yards)
M- King 20/107, Holmes 19/92, Drewry 9/60, Paige 11/25
CC- J. Wyatt 11/98, Tyler 3/15, Greene 2/14, K. Wyatt 4/-4
Passing (comp/att/yards)
M- Holmes 6/15/109, 2 TD, 2 int., Drewry 0/1/0, 1 int.
CC- Crawley 9/14/78, 1 TD, 1 int., K. Wyatt 1/15/14, 1 int., J. Wyatt 0/1/0
Receiving (catches/yards)
M- Carter 1/43, Drewry 2/42, King 1/11, Mott 1/7, Campbell 1/6
CC- K. Wyatt 4/34, Hicks 2/21, Jones 1/19, J. Wyatt 1/14, Adkins 1/4, Tyler 1/0