The "Battle of Harrowgate Road" lived up to it's hype Friday evening as Thomas Dale narrowly escaped an upset bid by Matoaca 28-23. The Knights entered the contest averaging 50 points/game on offense but they were held in check most of the night by a stingy Warrior defense.

After a scoreless first quarter, Matoaca's Ryley Justus found Montino Williams on a screen pass and he raced 40-yards to the house to put the Warriors on top 7-0. Nick Tyree responded on the ensuing kickoff as he raced 82-yarrds they other way to tie the score.

It would be all Matoaca the rest of the first half. Justus went back to work on the Warriors next offensive possession. After marching his unit down the field, he found Bryce Yates for a 24-yard touchdown pass, making the score 14-7 in favor of the home team.

The Warriors stripped Nick Tyree to give the offense another crack at scoring before the half. With 41.9 seconds remaining, Jon Gates hit a 24-yard field goal attempt to extend the Matoaca lead to 10.

Thomas Dale's Jacob Seaborne opened the second half with a big return that put the Knights inside their own 40. After a few plays, it appeared Thomas Dale would cash in and cut into the lead. However, Paul Lewis had other ideas as he picked off Ethan Minter on the three yard line.

The Knights defense held strong and forced the Warriors to punt. Once again, Thomas Dale was in scoring position deep in the red zone and Minter tossed another pick, this time to Montino Williams.

At this point in the game, Matoaca was clicking on all cylinders and with another score, they could have put the Knights to bed. Unfortunately, there was a disruption in the home stands that caused a 15-20 minute stop in action.

Matoaca was forced to punt, and the beast who is Brandon Rose, awoke. Rose took a handoff 30-yards to pay dirt to make the score 17-14 Matoaca with 2:10 left in the third period.

After forcing another Warrior punt, Thomas Dale took a 21-17 lead with 9:09 remaining in the game when Ethan Minter plunged into the end zone from the one-yard line.

Ryley Justus wasn't phased by the events unfolding, and led his team on another touchdown drive. Justus threw his third touchdown pass of the night, this time a beautiful 10-yard fade to Paul Lewis to put his team back out front 23-21 (PAT Blocked).

Thomas Dale took over with a little over two minutes left in the game and began their march down the field. After a few completions, Rose demanded the rock with 21.5 seconds left and rumbled 12-yards to the house to give his team the 28-22 lead.

The Knights defense would hold strong to preserve the victory and move them to 4-0 on the year.

Thomas Dale (4-0) will be back in action next week at home against Prince George (1-3) who picked up their first victory of the year against Meadowbrook Friday night. The Warriors (2-2) have a tall order ahead of them next week as they travel to undefeated Dinwiddie (4-0)

IMPACT PLAYERS:

Thomas Dale

Brandon Rose - 22 carries 171 yards 2 TDs

Nick Tyree - 4 receptions 57 yards; KOR TD

Ethan Minter - 15/25 183 yards 2 INT's; Rushing TD

Donovan Woods 5 receptions 39 yards

Matoaca

Ryley Justus - 17/26 308 yards 3 TDs

Montino Williams - 19 carries 90 yards; 1 receptions 40 yards TD; INT

Bryce Yates - 6 receptions 115 yards TD; 5 tackles

Paul Lewis - 2 receptions 55 yards TD; 6 tackles INT