The Matoaca Warriors picked up a big Central District win over rival Thomas Dale 21-14. With the win, Matoaca improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2006. "Anytime you get the chance to play against a really good football team, you want to rise to the challenge, and our guys did just that," explained Head Coach Justin Parker after the game.

Knights quarterback Ethan Minter gashed the Warriors defense for 55 yards which set up a four-yard touchdown run by Jordan Branch (Rios kick) to give Thomas Dale a 7-0 lead over Matoaca.

The lead would be short lived as Riley Simmons returned the ensuing kickoff 80-yards (PAT Gates) to tie the game at seven a piece. Matoaca forced a Thomas Dale on the Knights next drive. A few plays later, Quentin Johnson rumbled 43 yards to the end zone (PAT Gates) to put Matoaca on top 14-7.

Matoaca protected it's 14-7 lead by intercepting Ethan Minter twice before the half. In total, Thomas Dale turned the ball over three times in the first half. "You could tell we were rusty," explained Head Coach Kevin Tucker. He continued, "I told you before the game, I thought the X's and O's we were going to be fine on. It was the physical part. Were we going to get out there and turn the ball over? Are we going to make sure we secure it? And we didn't do that tonight. When you have that many turnovers, it's hard to beat anyone."

After a scoreless third quarter, Matoaca running back Cam Johnson scored on a one-yard touchdown run (PAT Gates) to make the score 21-7 in favor of the visitors.

Thomas Dale continued to scratch and claw their way back into the game. The Knights cut the lead to seven on a Minter quarterback sneak (PAT Rios) with 7:05 remaining in the game. They would force a Warriors three and out before getting the ball back with a little over two minutes remaining in the game. The Knights picked up some decent yardage and a pass interference call on Matoaca gave them a fresh set of downs inside the 20.

On fourth and goal, Minter's pass slipped through the hands of Jacob Seaborne which sealed the victory for Matoaca.

IMPACT PERFORMERS

MATOACA

Quentin Johnson - 20 carries 132 yards TD

Cam Johnson - 5 carries 18 yards TD

Riley Simmons 80 yard KOR TD

Malachi Cook, Jaedin Lee, Marcus King - 5 tackles

Thomas Dale

Brandon Rose - 11 carries 83 yards

Ethan Minter - 11 carries 75 yards TD; Passing : 9/16 86 yards 2 INT's

Jordan Branch 8 carries 25 yards TD

Stephon Hicks - 8 tackles

UP NEXT

#5 Matoaca (4-0) has another big matchup next weekend as they host #4 Dinwiddie (2-0). #2 Thomas Dale (2-1) will host Prince George (0-3).