Essex gets first district win on road over Blue Jays

VILLISCA — The Essex Trojans are 1-0 in the district after defeating the Villisca Blue Jays at the Villisca homecoming on Friday night, 10-0.

The lone touchdown of the game came on Essex’s opening drive when Justin Moyer threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Levi Allen. The two-point conversion was good and the Trojans took an 8-0 lead.

Allen caught all four of Moyer’s completions, finishing with 72 yards receiving. The other score of the game came on a safety in the second half.

Both teams had their opportunities to score, but neither was able to capitalize. Villisca’s best opportunity came late in the first half when Zack Adcock recovered a fumble at the Essex 15-yard line. Adcock had 23 tackles for Villisca.

However, the Blue Jays turned the ball over on downs, four plays later.

Cameron Kinney finished the game leading Essex in rushing with 90 yards on 23 carries.

Defensively, Jordan and Jacob Jones each recorded 12 tackles against the Blue Jays. Jordan Jones in fact had six solo tackles and one sack.

For Villisca, Travis Herzberg led the team in rushing with 30 yards.
Damon Sunderman completed 5-of-16 for 30 yards.

Defensively, Manley Schipansky had 11 tackles.

With the win, Essex is now 2-1 for the season and 1-0 in district.

Essex’s win over Villisca is their first since 2007, when they defeated the Blue Jays 30-16.

The Trojans face a big test this Friday night when they take on the Fremont-Mills Knights.

Fremont-Mills is coming off a dominating 68-12 win over

Nishnabotna. Essex’s last win over Fremont-Mills also came in 2007.
Villisca meanwhile is 0-3 to start the season. The last time the Blue Jays started 0-3 was in 2008.

The Blue Jays are on the road this Friday night as they take on Glidden-Ralston.