In a matchup of two undefeated teams, the York Falcons clinched a share of the Bay Rivers District title and remained undefeated with a 35-28 win over Warhill at Bailey Field in York County. Running back Jayden Flood-Brown and quarterback Luke Gatz accounted for five touchdowns in a game that wasn't decided until the final play.
York seemingly put the game out of reach with a 9-yard touchdown run from Keiston Hutcherson that gave Coach Doug Pereira's Falcons a 35-21 lead with only 3:21 remaining in the 4th quarter.
However, Warhill quickly trimmed the lead back to seven with a 66-yard touchdown run from Samuel Nixon with 1:04 remaining on the clock.
The Lions recovered the onside kick at their own 40-yard line after several failed attempts by both teams to corral the loose football. However, their hope for a miracle comeback was dashed when Troy Norman ended the drama with an interception as time expired.
The much anticipated matchup was exciting featured explosive plays from both teams. Jayden Flood-Brown started festivities less than three minutes after the opening kickoff with a 39-yard touchdown run to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
York was driving for another score to start the 2nd quarter, but Warhill recovered a fumble at their own 24-yard line. On the very next play, senior Michael Akpan broke through the York defense for a 76-yard touchdown run. The 2-point run failed and the Lions trailed 7-6.
The Falcons led 21-13 at halftime after two 2nd quarter touchdown passes from Gatz. He found Christian Evans in the back of the endzone for a score and then connected with Tri Cartwright who stumbled in for a 45-yard touchdown with 2:14 remaining before halftime.
Warhill tied the game after taking the 2nd half kickoff with a 14-play drive that consumed almost seven minutes off the clock. Akpan ended the drive with a 2-yard score and he also ran in the 2-point conversion.
Coming into the contest with 1195 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns on the season, Akpan finished with 218 yards rushing and two touchdowns to pace the Lions.
Less than a minute later after Akpan's score, York answered when Flood-Brown saw daylight and broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run. Flood-Brown ended the night with 168 yards and two scores on 18 carries. That puts him over 1000 yards rushing on the season as he came into the game with 927 yards through the team's first eight victories.
Warhill ran 40 plays from scrimmage in the second half to only 14 for York.
Tri Cartwright (6-foot-3, 215) was my Player of the Game on defense as he consistently created havoc in the Warhill backfield, whether it was disrupting the blocking scheme or pressuring the quarterback. He had several tackles for loss.
Rashad Stepney also had a busy night for the Falcons with multiple stops and likewise for Cole Chapin, their leading tackler with 86 for the year heading into November.
Stephen Graham made a couple of pass breakups for the York defense and Troy Norman had the previously mentioned interception. The York defense is now giving up 12.2 points per game, winning both games over New Kent and Warhill in which they allowed season-highs of 28 points.
For Warhill, Te'Shawn Knightnor - formerly of Woodside - caused a fumble that was recovered by Isaiah Hurlbert. Andrew Riddick stripped the ball for a fumble and returned it to York 16-yard line setup a touchdown.
Now 8-1 overall, the Lions under first-year head man Jerome Rhodes close out the regular season against Lafayette. They'll need to win that game to have a chance at earning the No. 1 seed in Region 4A for the playoffs.
York is currently tied for the No. 1 seed with Hopewell in Region 3A, but the Falcons will likely open as the No. 2 or No. 3 seed since a victory over winless Bruton in the regular season finale won't net them any bonus points for their power rating.
