Tabb’s balanced attack offsets New Kent’s big plays in 56-20 decision

New Kent defenders Nick Carreon (35) and Peter Stano (28) combine to bring down Tabb running back Jacob Reilly.

Alan Chamberlain photo

A small contingent of New Kent faithful that followed the Trojan football team to Yorktown for tonight’s (Friday’s) confrontation with Tabb’s Tigers had little to cheer about early on. A blocked punt on New Kent’s game-opening possession turned into the first of four Tabb touchdowns that had the Tigers cruising 28-0 just moments into the second quarter.

But the Trojans used a couple of big plays to get on the scoreboard before halftime and prevent the contest from becoming entirely one-sided. Still, the Tigers owned a 42-12 advantage at the break on the way to a 56-20 triumph, dropping the Trojans to 1-4 on the season.

“We had a tough time getting started,” confessed Trojan head coach Dan Rounds. “We had no answer for [Tabb’s] wing-T offense. You’ve got to be disciplined against the wing-T and you have to execute well, but we’re not there yet. We’re trying to get there.”

By halftime, the Tigers had amassed 373 yards from scrimmage utilizing a balanced passing (199 yards) and running (174 yards) attack. The Tiger defense, meanwhile, held New Kent to negative yardage until the Trojans managed to put together a scoring drive midway through the second quarter.

“There were some highlights tonight,” Rounds said, pointing first to a turnover that set up New Kent’s initial score.

Defensive back Trent Orie jarred the ball loose from Tabb running back Bailey Hicks and then beat Tiger lineman Zach Schiele in a race to recover the fumble. Moments later, Orie, now operating New Kent’s wildcat formation on offense, hooked up with R.J. Morris over the middle for the run-oriented Trojans’ longest completion of the season so far, good for 21 yards to the midfield stripe. On the next play and with the run-stopping Tiger defense now forced to respect the pass, Orie burst through a gaping hole on a 50-yard scamper to the end zone.

“Trent checked down, saw they were in a bubble, and took off,” Rounds said. “We’ve told our guys to play smart football, and we took some steps in that direction.”

Next, the Trojan defense got into the scoring act. Morris, back in the secondary, picked off Tabb quarterback Alec Curek’s overthrown pass meant for Antwuan Hicks at the Trojan 10 yard line. Morris then weaved his way past would-be tacklers on a 90-yard jaunt to close the gap to 35-12.

But the Trojans were unable to crack the goal line again until Hunter Pitts’ one-yard plunge late in the fourth quarter for the contest’s last touchdown, capping an 11-play, 65-yard drive. Morris ran for the conversion to create the final score.