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Sussex Central wins Division I football championship

Fourth-seeded Golden Knights take down previously unbeaten Middletown
The Sussex Central football team celebrates their Division I championship. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 19, 2020

The Sussex Central football team defeated previously unbeaten Middletown 28-19 in the DIAA Division I championship game Dec. 19 to win its second title in three seasons. 

The fourth-seeded Golden Knights of coach John Wells topped undefeated Smyrna in the semifinals Dec. 11 to advance to the finals. 

Central scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a short run by Dion Stephens, and held onto the 7-0 lead at halftime.

The Cavaliers tied the game with 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Golden Knights responded with another score from Stephens to go up 14-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Middletown scored again but Central blocked the point-after attempt, narrowing the lead to 14-13 Central. Then with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter, Central’s P.J. Stratton scored from 60 yards out, adding what turned out to be the game-winning points to increase the lead to 21-13.

Central quarterback Zimir Gardner scored on a 41-yard run to put the game away. A late Middletown score cut into the lead, but it was too much to overcome for the Cavs. 

“This team has overcome more adversity than any other team I’ve coached, with protocols and the pandemic,” said John Wells in his 25th season as a head coach. “They are very special in their own way. No one expected us to make the playoffs starting the season at 1-2, but we completely felt we could do this. With our backs to the wall, we beat two undefeated teams to win this. We played our ball. That’s pretty special.”

Central defeated Salesianum 33-7 in 2018. 

 

Central head coach John Wells celebrates with senior fullback Phillip Stratton.
The Central squad hoists the DIAA Championship trophy.
The Golden Knights celebrate their victory.
Central fullback Phillip Stratton follows his lead block by offensive lineman Nathaniel Moore.
Central’s Chase Boyle, left, and Jacob Dempsey wrangle down Middletown’s Zy'Aire Tart.
Middletown quarterback Colby Chambers fumbles after getting sacked by Central’s Jacob Dempsey.
Central senior defensive back Chase Boyle punches the ball away from Middletown’s Zy'Aire Tart, and Jeremiah Wilson comes up with the recovery.
Knights quarterback Zimir Gardner throws downfield to Diego Rodriguez-Costa.
Knights receiver Diego Rodriguez-Costa heads upfield.
During a timeout, Central coach John Wells calls an offensive play.
Central quarterback Zimir Gardner looks downfield to teammate Phillip Stratton.
Central’s Patrick Henry holds on to the ball after making an interception.
Central place kicker Juan Amezcua Justiniani boots a kickoff.
Central linebacker Alton Dennis pulls down Middletown’s Ben Martin.
Middletown’s Glenn Bruckner, left, and Ben Martin pass block for quarterback Colby Chambers.
Chase Boyle booms a punt for the Golden Knights.
Central players (l-r) Skyler McVicker, Alton Dennis and K'Tai Tilley bring down Middletown’s Ben Martin.
Zachary Caldwell scores for the Cavs, but is called for an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Phillip Stratton breaks through the line and sprints to the end zone to add a touchdown for the Knights.
Phillip Stratton, left, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Sean McGee.
Central quarterback Zimir Gardner, right, follows the block of Joseph Megginson.
Middletown’s Zy'Aire Tart, right, pulls in a touchdown pass.
Middletown QB Colby Chambers throws a strike to Zy'Aire Tart.
Middletown ball carrier Zachary Caldwell tries to reach for a first down.
Central’s Alton Dennis wraps up Middletown’s Michael Pearson.
Longtime Central assistant coach Dave Marvel signals to his defense.
Assistant coaches from both teams get a bird’s eye view of the game.
Middletown’s Zachary Caldwell snags a Colby Chambers pass and powers to a Cavs touchdown.
Central linebacker Alton Dennis pulls in an interception.
Middletown coach Zach Blum looks down with anguish as Central’s Alton Dennis runs with his pick.
Central assistant coach DJ Long looks to question a call.
Central lineman Jacob Dempsey says “He’s in” as Dion Stephens scores.
Junior placekicker Juan Amezcua Justiniani puts through a PAT out of a hold by Sean McGee.
Middletown’s Michael Pearson is wrangled down by Central’s Jeremiah Wilson.
Zy'Aire Tart snags a Middletown reception and is brought down by Central’s Sean McGee.
Central QB Zimir Gardner hands off to Phillip Stratton.
Central center Caden Collins says it’s over.
The scoreboard says it all for the Golden Knights.
Central head coach John Wells speaks to his assistants during the fourth quarter.
Central head coach John Wells goes over an offensive call with quarterback Zimir Gardner.
Central captains come to the coin toss. Shown are (l-r) Alton Dennis, Caden Collins, Nathaniel Moore, Phillip Stratton and head coach John Wells.
Head coach John Wells celebrates with senior fullback Phillip Stratton.
Central quarterback Zimir Gardner is congratulated by assistant coach Sean Hopkins.
Here come the Golden Knights.

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