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Reunion is rough for Drifters

October 24, 2009 12:36 am

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

Before last night, the Colonial Beach High School football team hadn't faced Essex since 1971.

After last night, the Drifters may not want to see the Trojans for another 38 years.

That won't be the case, however, because both teams are now members of the Northern Neck District.

And last night, the Trojans rudely introduced themselves to Colonial Beach with a dominating 43-6 road victory.

Essex (7-0, 2-0 Northern Neck) has now won 38 straight regular-season games dating back to 2005.

"We knew moving back into the Northern Neck District that [the Trojans] were the top dog on the block," Colonial Beach head coach Jeremy Jack said. "If you wanted to make any noise you certainly had to go through them. We were excited about the challenge. We just didn't play good football in the first half."

Colonial Beach (3-4, 1-1) actually converted 10 first downs in the first half and ran 31 plays to just 20 for the Trojans.

Still, it trailed 37-0 at intermission.

That's because of the Trojans' big-play ability.

Senior quarterback Lyn Garner (7-for-12, 280 yards, three touchdowns) connected on touchdown passes of 30, 77 and 78 yards.

"This year, the athletic ability is the greatest we've had in years," Garner said. "I just throw to anybody and they can score at any point in time."

Garner's words were on display near the end of the first half.

The Trojans led 30-0 and senior defensive back Clayton Payne had just snagged an interception with 25 seconds left before halftime.

Two plays later, Garner found junior wide receiver Deon Hammond for a 78-yard scoring strike, his second touchdown catch of the game.

Hammond picked up a devastating block from fellow wide receiver Devante Baker as he sliced through the Drifters' defense for the score as time expired.

"I was excited because all I heard was pads popping when I went by," Hammond said.

The play excited Essex head coach Todd Jones, too.

Jones said it's indicative of the selfless way his team has played all season.

"It's all about unselfishness," Jones said. "We've got a lot of play-makers. One kid's going to be the hot man one night and another the next night. You've got to be unselfish. I think that's why we've been successful."

The Drifters played evenly with Essex in the second half. They finished with 19 first downs (Essex had only 10) and running back Timmy Jackson scored their lone touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.

However, Essex amassed 468 total yards as it also got touchdowns from running backs James Hence on a 1-yard run and Chuck Samuel on a 77-yard reception. Garner also scored on a 22-yard run.

"We're on a mission to get to Salem," Samuel said of the site of the state title game.

The Drifters host Northumberland next Friday. Essex visits Lancaster.

First Quarter

E--D. Hammond 30-yard pass from L. Garner (run failed).

E--C. Samuel 77-yard pass from L. Garner (J. Hence run).

Second Quarter

E--J. Hence 1-yard run (C. Thorne run).

E--L. Garner 22-yard run (J. Hence run).

E--D. Hammond 78-yard pass from L. Garner (J. Slaughter kick).

Third Quarter

CB--T. Jackson 1-yard run (kick failed).

Fourth Quarter

E--C. Samuel 2-yard run (kick failed).

TEAMSTATISTICS

INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS

Passing: Colonial Beach--Dylan Farinet 8-17-1 92; Travis Cundiff 0-1-0 0. Essex--Lyn Garner 6-12-0 280, 3TDs.

Receiving: Colonial Beach--Josh Sanford 2-43; Travis Cundiff 2-19; Randy Ruczynski 2-19; Timmy Jackson 2-11. Essex--Deon Hammond 4-126, 2TDs; Chuck Samuel 1-77, TD; Devante Baker 1-49; Cedric Thorne 1-28.

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com