Green Sea Floyds knocks off pesky East Clarendon to start 2-0

East Clarendon hit Green Sea Floyds in the mouth with its run game.

Coach Tony Sullivan and the Trojans struck right back.

The Wolverines rushed 51 times for 203 yards, but Green Sea Floyds piled up 236 rushing yards on 29 attempts as the Trojans edged East Clarendon for a 16-14 win Friday to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2010.

It was also Green Sea Floyds’ first home victory since 2012 and Sullivan said his squad’s confidence is riding high.

“Tough game,” said Sullivan, whose team led 16-6 at halftime. “We had a big crowd tonight and everybody’s excited but this was a tough football team. East Clarendon hit us in the mouth but I just love my kids; we’re noticing the effects of all the hard work and dedication we put in over the summer and the offseason.”

On the first offensive play of the game, Trojans halfback Anthony Wilson broke free for a 60-yard rushing touchdown and Green Sea Floyds converted a two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead in the first 30 seconds.

“It was huge. That gave us a nice jumpstart and got us hyped up,” Wilson said.

But a Trojans’ last-minute stop is what boosted them to victory.

With just over six minutes left in the game, East Clarendon took over on its own 17-yard line trailing by two points. The Wolverines ate up five minutes on the clock with their run game and moved into Green Sea Floyds territory. On fourth-and-13, quarterback William Ard was looking to pass but rolled out and tried to find a lane but was stuffed for a loss and turnover on downs with 56 seconds left.

The Trojans came out in victory formation and ran the clock out for the win.

“That’s probably the biggest series and biggest stop we’ve had on fourth down since I’ve been here; it was huge,” Sullivan said. “I don’t know what else to say other than it was huge.”

Trailing by 10 at halftime, East Clarendon came out running in the second half. The Wolverines capped an eight minute, 67-yard scoring drive with a four-yard touchdown by Ard – his second of the night – to bring East Clarendon within two points.

In the meantime, Green Sea Floyds defensive lineman Charlie Rudolph came up with a big fumble recovery in the fourth quarter to help the Trojans.

“We bowed our necks there at the end when it counted,” Sullivan said. “[East Clarendon] took almost the whole third quarter on their opening drive of the second half; they just methodically ran the ball down the field and finally put it in. But I can’t be more proud of my guys and I don’t know if anyone else deserves this more than we do.”

Last week, it was Wyatt Upchurch who gave Green Sea Floyds a boost with 134 yards on the ground in a 26-13 win over Hannah-Pamplico. While Upchurch had 69 yards on six carries, this time it was Wilson who carried the Trojans as he finished with 132 yards on eight touches and had two scores.

“First of all, I have to thank God and it’s not about me. It’s all about those guys right there,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t do this without God and my team; they had my back out there.”

Said Sullivan: “Anthony Wilson did a great job tonight. The good thing about our offense is you see other teams run the ball and you never know who’s going to have big night. So that’s a big plus for us and what we’re doing; last week it was Wyatt Upchurch and this week it was Anthony Wilson. I’m just excited for this group and excited for this opportunity; it’s just a great night.”

The passing game was virtually nonexistent Friday as neither team had a pass attempt until the fourth quarter. Green Sea Floyds passed the ball only twice as quarterback Jacquez Geralds finished 2-for-2 with 18 yards and East Clarendon’s William Ard had just one attempt for an incompletion.

“It gives us time of possession, which is obviously what we like to have,” Sullivan said of being run-heavy. “Of course we open the field up and go 60 yards on the first play of the game; that’s not what this offense is designed to do but when you get those, it’s a plus. We want to grind the ball out and I think we started with it mid-season last year, saying we had to do something different to keep the ball close to us and the field shortened and that’s what we’ve done. The kids have responded well and they’ve worked really hard and it’s been a good transition.”

The Trojans have indeed come a long way already since an 0-10 finish last year.

“This gives us a lot of momentum,” Wilson said. “We’ve been through a lot being winless last year and whatnot. This gives us a a great head start to the season.”

Said Sullivan: “We’ve already beat two quality football teams and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and see how this plays out. But these guys, I love them. Man – I tell you – it’s a great win and a great night for Green Sea Floyds.”

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 1:31 AM with the headline "Green Sea Floyds knocks off pesky East Clarendon to start 2-0."