Royals snap historic skid with 27-24 overtime win
DINWIDDIE — “This is the biggest win in program history, period.”
That was the message Prince George football head coach Bruce Carroll delivered to his players following their 27-24 overtime victory over Dinwiddie, ending a 14-year drought for the Royals against the Generals. They needed overtime to do it, but Prince George came out on top in what was a blood-pumping finish.
The game started in the Royals’ favor as running back Sidney Rose capped off a long touchdown drive to start the game. Then, inexplicably Prince George managed to get the ball back on the ensuing kickoff when they recovered a fumble. However, the offense sputtered and punted the ball right back to the Generals.
Dinwiddie did not trail long, using a short field to regain the lead at 7-6 in the first quarter. The next drive, the Royals were determined to make it a heavyweight fight, hitting back with a blow of their own.
Wide receiver Tavian Morris made an incredible one-handed reception down the sideline from a pass thrown by quarterback Tahir Johnson. Morris turned up-field and ran in the 40-yard touchdown to put Prince George back on top 13-7.
To begin the second quarter, Royals corner Jaden Banks intercepted a deep pass over the middle thrown by Brenton Hilton of the Generals. Banks put Prince George in great position to score, but the offense came up empty.
Things remained quiet until halftime, as the Royals took a 13-7 lead into the break.
The Dinwiddie offense came out strong in the second half with help from a big pass downfield by Hilton. He set up a short rushing touchdown for Robert Barlow, as the Generals took the lead once again at 14-13.
The lead remained until the fourth quarter.
At the midway point of the final period, Hilton delivered a nice pass down the seam to Qion Brown for a 20-yard score. Dinwiddie made the extra point, making it an eight-point lead with six minutes left.
The pressure was officially on for Prince George to score their first touchdown since the first quarter, and with their backs against the wall, the Royals offense found new life. Johnson completed a fourth-down pass to Anthony McGraw to extend the drive. Once near midfield, running back Curtis Allen carried Prince George deep into Generals territory.
The Royals got inside the five-yard line but they failed to cross the goal line on three straight runs. Needing just inches to score a touchdown, Johnson used a quarterback sneak to finally break the plane, making it 21-19.
Trailing by two following the touchdown, Prince George still needed a big play to stay alive. Johnson rolled out of the pocket, but instead of running it in himself, he again found Rose who made it into the end-zone inside pylon. The Royals bench erupted following the two-point conversion.
“Did you see our sideline?” offensive lineman Jaelin Montgomery rhetorically asked after the game, referring to the team’s excitement.
After tying the game at 21-21, Prince George needed its defense to hold back a Dinwiddie offense that had rhythm. The Generals drove it into Prince George territory, but a fumble turned the ball back to Prince George with less than 20 seconds remaining.
The two team’s were headed for overtime.
The Generals took the ball first to start the extra period. Dinwiddie could not get into the end zone and opted for a field goal to secure a 27-24 lead.
After such a heroic fourth quarter, momentum was behind the Royals as they began their possession knowing a touchdown would win the game. Allen received a toss and ran the ball in for a six-yard score, winning the game.
It was Prince George’s first win over Dinwiddie since 2005.
Allen finished with a team-high 137 yards. Johnson totaled 132 yards on 10-of-18 passing.
Prince George improved to 3-1 while Dinwiddie fell to 1-3.
By Brandon Carwile, Herald-Post Staff