Moore-Briddell powers Sussex Central past Cape

KEVON MOORE BRIDDELL RUNS THE BALL DURING A GAME, PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSSEX CENTRAL HS ATHLETICS

Georgetown – The start of Class AAA District 2 began on Friday night as Sussex County rivals the Cape Henlopen Vikings and the Sussex Central Golden Knights kicked it off in Georgetown.

Kevon Moore-Briddell carried the load for Sussex Central rushing for 235 yards on 21 carries scoring a pair of touchdowns. It wasn’t in the game plan for Moore-Briddell to run the ball that much, but All-State fullback Malik Bell returned last night from a broken collar bone back in August. Head coach John Wells decided to rest Bell to be cautious.

“We had planned for Kevon and Malik to alternate at fullback, but Malik fell on his shoulder and we shut him down for the game,” Wells said.

Sussex Central scored on its opening possession when Gabe Cannon connected with Juoaquin Rodriguez-Costa on a 25 yard pass play to cap off a 9 play 80 yard drive. Rodney Escobar-Gonzalez added the kick to give the Golden Knights a 7-0 lead.

Cape Henlopen’s opening drive began at their own ten yard line after a first down the Vikings began to go backwards and sideways. A holding penalty followed by a sack by Moore-Briddell with an intentional grounding penalty tacked on the Vikings found themselves in a third and 29 from their own one yard line.

Sussex Central got the ball back at the Cape Henlopen 45 yard line following a punt. Will Harmon put the Golden Knights ahead 14-0 on a three yard touchdown run with 10:31 to play in the second quarter. Sussex Central controlled the ball for 11:19 of the first 14 minutes of the game.

“Our offense did a good job controlling the ball in the first half letting our running backs get going,” Wells said.

The plays into the Vikings ensuing drive Jameson Tingle found a wide open Bren Scott in the middle of the field for a 46 yard touchdown pass. Wilson InIngerski added the point after kick as Cape Henlopen cut the lead to 14-7 with 9:14 left to play in the first half.

The Vikings defense stiffened on the Sussex Central possession forcing the Golden Knights to punt. Rodriguez-Costa’s punt was downed at the Cape Henlopen eight yard line. The Vikings drove down to the Sussex Central nine yard line on a combination of the Vikings running game and 40 yards in Sussex Central penalties including two personal fouls.

“The penalties can’t happen, I was disappointed and we will have to clean that up and address it at practice on Monday,” Wells said.

The Vikings long drive ended in no points as Ingerski’s 27 yard field goal attempt went wide left and the Golden Knights took a 14-7 lead into halftime.

Cape Henlopen took their first possession to the Sussex Central one yard line, on a third and goal from the one yard line an apparent touchdown pass to Scott was nullified by an ineligible receiver downfield forcing the Vikings to settle for a field goal. Ingerski nailed the 23 yard field goal as Cape Henlopen cut the score to 14-10 midway through the third quarter.

The Golden Knights answered the Cape Henlopen score quickly with Moore-Briddell carrying the ball four times in the drive for 91 yards including a seven yard touchdown run to cap off the drive and extend the lead to 21-10 with 2:10 left in the third quarter.

Maurki James scored on a 25 yard touchdown run on Cape Henlopen’s ensuing drive. The Vikings run conversion failed and the Golden Knights held a 21-16 lead with 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Sussex Central took another long drive deep into the Cape Henlopen territory, chewing up six minutes, but came away with no points as Escobar-Gonzalez missed on a 23 yard field goal attempt.

Sussex Central forced a punt on a three and out by the Vikings. Five plays later Moore-Briddell took a toss around the left end for a 29 yard touchdown run extending Sussex Central’s lead to 28-16 with just 2:13 to play in the game.

“I was hurting, I had fallen on my elbow on the last sack which was already banged up, but I knew I just had to come in and finish the game. I’m tired,” Briddell said.

J.J. Abbott added another score on an eight yard interception return ending the scoring and giving the Golden Knights the 35-16 victory.

Cape Henlopen dropped to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in Class AAA District 2. The Vikings will host Caesar Rodney next Friday night. Sussex Central improved to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in district. The Golden Knights will host St. Georges next Friday night.

“That win tonight was a must win, we still have the rest of our district to play so tonight’s win was big for us,” Wells said.