Matoaca, JM Prevail

by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond

Henrico blinked and Matoaca led 21-0 with a little less than six minutes remaining in the first quarter, and went on to defeat homestanding Henrico 35-16 last night in the season-opener for both teams.

The Warriors marched 74 yards in eight plays, the last a 17-yard strike to Dorian Jackson from Dustin Clark.

Henrico (0-1) looked to strike back quickly, but quarterback Frazier Fields was picked off by Jackson. Four plays later Jackson was in the end zone again, this time a 28-yard strike from Clark (11 for 16, 230 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT).

Matoaca’s offense was working so well, coach Pat Manuel wanted to try out his special teams.

They were ready, as Warrick Thacker placed a perfect onside kick that Matoaca (1-0) nabbed.

Four plays later, Jamar Parham (25 carries, 152 yards, 2 TDs) found the end zone on a 3-yard gallop to the left pylon. The drive was keyed by Clark’s 32-yard bomb to Lamar Nesmith.

Brett Diamond & Dorian Jackson, 8/30/07

Middle linebacker Brett Diamond (left) and WR/CB Dorian Jackson talk about Matoaca’s 35-16 victory over Henrico.

5:23 left in the first quarter. Matoaca: 16 plays. Henrico: 1 play. Matoaca: TKO.

“We came out and we got after them,” said linebacker/fullback Brett Diamond, who had a 26-yard run the second play of the game.

Henrico answered with a 14-play drive of its own capped by a 35-yard field goal by Luis Reyes.

But Matoaca came right back in four plays again, buoyed by a 53-yard trot by Parham. He finished the drive with a one-yard dive as Matoaca took a 28-3 lead into the break.

Henrico’s defense stiffened in the third period as neither team scratched until 11:47 of the fourth when Fields found Tim Crumpler for a 30-yard TD.

But it only took Matoaca one play to squelch any Henrico threat, as Parham took the kickoff back 77 yards for a score.

“They scored and my team started to put their head down a little bit,” Parham said. “I had to pick it back up.”

Henrico kept fighting behind linebacker Donell Wilkins, who intercepted a Clark pass and took it back 45 yards for a TD. He also forced a fumble on the next possession, which Henrico recovered.

But it wasn’t enough.

Matoaca 21 7 0 7 – 35
Henrico 0 3 0 13 – 16

M – Jackson 17 pass from Clark (Thacker kick)
M – Jackson 28 pass from Clark (Thacker kick)
M – Parham 3 run (Thacker kick)
H – FG Reyes 35
M – Parham 1 run (Thacker kick)
H – Crumpler 30 pass from Fields (Reyes kick)
M – Parham 77-yard kick return (Thacker kick)
H – Wilkins 45-yard interception return (kick failed)

Henrico QB Frazier Fields threw for 121 yards and a score.

RUSHING
Matoaca – Parham 25 carries, 152 yards, Shook 4-34, Diamond 1-26, Giles 2-0, Clark 3-(minus 1); Henrico – Thornton 1-19, Parrish 4-15, Fields 5-13, Martin 11-12, Smith 2-1, McGowan 2-(minus 13), Browne 1-(minus 1)

PASSING
Matoaca – Clark 11 completions, 16 attempts, 230 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; Henrico – Fields 7-18-121-1-1, Nero 0-1-0-0-0

RECEIVING
Matoaca – Jackson 5 receptions, 80 yards, Nesmith 3-81, Walker 1-50, Diamond 1-10, Smith 1-9; Henrico – Browne 4-51, Person 2-40, Crumpler 1-30

JOHN MARSHALL 38, ARMSTRONG 6

The Justices jumped on Armstrong from the start behind quarterback Darius Jackson.

The senior threw four touchdown passes on the afternoon as JM had their plentiful athletes on display.

“Being on the bottom for so long, we’re just tired of losing,” Jackson said. “We’re just going that extra mile. We’re just doing the little things so the big things can pay off.”

Jackson found basketball-star-turned wide receiver Maurice Johnson from 17 yards out for a 12-0 lead. Then fullback Tyvon Pate (5-10, 250) barrelled in from 4 yards out for an 18-0 advantage.

Justices senior quarterback Darius Jackson deserved congratulations after his four-TD performance.

DeMoss Moore got into the act, hooking up with Jackson on a 19-yard play.

Then former All-Metro tailback Jayvon Brownlee scored on a five-yard run as JM held a 31-0 lead with 3:41 to go in the first half.

Brownlee had over 100 yards in the first half alone.

Armstrong’s points came off a 1-yard sneak from QB Mark Robinson. It was set up by a brilliant catch and run from DeAngelo Wilson.

Jermaine Davis caught Jackson’s fourth TD to end the scoring. The Justices now prepare for Huguenot, longtime the city’s king.

“We’re trying to put it together,” JM coach Marvin Bridges said. “We’re trying to cut down on the mistakes. Our focus now is Huguenot. We’re just getting ready to play.”

Click here to view and purchase photos from these two contests.

Maurice Johnson’s face says it all.