Golden Knights shine in win over Woodbridge

Sussex Central quarterback Bradley Chavez looks downfield. Photo by Dar’Juan Pitts

Georgetown – Sussex Central and Woodbridge met for the first time 26 years Friday night. Most of the game was played with wind and rain and at the end the Golden Knights escaped with a 31-14 victory.

“Escape is a good way to describe the win. I looked into the eyes of the players at the end and while they were happy to win they were a bit humble. Woodbridge is a good football team and they came in and gave us a great game,” Sussex Central head coach John Wells said.

Malik Bell scored three times leading Sussex Central. Bell rushed for 131 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns and hauled in a 56 yard touchdown pass.

In the end the Golden Knights won big on the scoreboard it wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that they were able to distance themselves from the Blue Raiders.

Bell got Sussex Central going on the second play of the game when he broke free up the middle for a 56 yard touchdown run. Rodney Escobar-Gonzalez at the PAT kick giving the Golden Knights a 7-0 lead.

Woodbridge answered late in the first quarter when Logan Moran connected with Ji’Kare Banks on a diving catch in the endzone for a 21 yard touchdown pass. Evan Woodall converted the kick as the Blue Raiders tied the game 7-7.

With 1:58 left to play in the first half Bradley Chavez found Bell open in the flats, Bell then raced to the endzone tightroping down the sideline for a 56 yard touchdown pass play. Escobar-Gonzalez converted the kick as the Golden Knights led 14-7.

On the first play of the ensuing Woodbridge possession the Blue Raiders gained first down yardage, but the Golden Knights Turray Jones ripped the ball away and then fell on it for a turnover. That led to a 27 yard field goal by Escobar-Gonzalez as time expired in the first half giving Sussex Central a 17-7 lead.

“That was a huge play by Turray Jones, being able to get that field goal and go up ten at the half gave us a cushion with Woodbridge getting the ball to start the second half,” Wells said.

Woodbridge took the second half kick and marched down the field scoring on a 10 yard pass play from Moran to Banks. Woodall converted the kick as the Blue Raiders cut the lead to 17-14.

Banks caught 3 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

Sussex Central began to pull away late in the third quarter on a 39 yard touchdown run by Will Harmon. Midway through the fourth quarter Bell added a 25 yard touchdown run extending the Golden Knights lead to 31-14.

Harmon led all rushers in the game gaining 136 yards on 12 carries. Moran completed six of 15 passes for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jujuan Sturgis added eight carries for 91 yards for the Golden Knights.

“We were able to rest Harmon and Sturgis on defense in the second half so they were able to come in with fresh legs on offense in the fourth quarter,” Wells said

Woodbridge dropped to 3-1 on the season and will travel to Laurel next Thursday night to open their Class AA District 3 schedule. Kickoff is at 6:00pm.

Sussex Central improved to 4-0 and will host Appoquinimink (4-0) next Friday night with kickoff at 7:00PM. You can watch that game on Delaware Live Sports.