The Sussex Tech varsity football team improved to 3-0, with a 44-0 home win over Mt. Pleasant last Friday. The Ravens, who have shut out opponents in two of the three wins, have outscored their opponents 136-12.

“We have a lot to clean up,” said Sussex Tech head coach Brad Ellingsworth, whose team had some exchange issues on handoffs. “If we clean these things up, I think we have a pretty good football team.”

Sussex Tech’s defense held the Green Knights to three players and out on the first series. The Ravens’ offense started with the ball on its own 47-yard line. Eric Wright-McGlotten had a 33-yard run before taking a toss from quarterback Knox Sheets and running three yards for a touchdown.  Matthew Persaud added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 6:56 remaining in the first quarter.

Mount Pleasant’s Jayden Barrow responded with a 45-yard run to move the ball into Sussex Tech territory. Ashton Emerick completed a 20-yard pass to Jayden Bowers on third and 11 from the 30, to set up first and goal from the 10. Mount Pleasant penalties set up fourth and goal from the 13 at the end of the first quarter. At the start of the second quarter, the Green Knights’ 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Sussex Tech, and the ball was recovered by Mason Showell at the 30.

Wright-McGlotten had two carries for 12 yards, and Sheets completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to Shemarr Ayers. Persaud’s PAT upped the lead to 14-0 (10:56).

Sussex Tech’s Isaiah Fountain had a takeaway on the kickoff, but Mt. Pleasant recovered a Ravens’ fumble on second and goal. Two Green Knights penalties moved the ball inside the two before Emerick went down in the end zone for a safety to make it 16-0 with 8:39 remaining.

The Ravens were forced to punt before getting the ball back on an interception by Rashad Holland. Sheets completed a 23-yard pass to Holland, and a facemask penalty set up a first-and-goal from the 10. Wright-McGlotten scored on a one-yard touchdown run, and Holland ran in the two-point conversion for 24-0 with 1:51 left in the first half.

Wright-McGlotten opened the second half with an 18-yard run and scored on a 49-yard carry. Persaud’s extra point made the score 31-0 with 10:37 left in the third quarter.

Sussex Tech’s Donald Hall kicked the ball off and recovered a Mt. Pleasant fumble. The Ravens returned the favor with the Green Knights recovering a fumble.

Sussex Tech’s defense got the ball back after Cameron Harmon batted a pass up in the air and teammate Kayden Andrews intercepted it at the Green Knights’ 24. Jayden Justice scored on a nine-yard touchdown run and Persaud added another extra point (38-0). 

In the fourth quarter, the Ravens’ Landon Jackson recorded a sack, Isaiah Fountain knocked down a punt and freshman Kenneth Turnage intercepted a pass. Turnage scored on a 39-yard touchdown run for the 44-0 win. 

“Those are the moments (playing younger players) if you are intentional about it will keep your program running. It’s nice to see that younger offense get in and score,” Ellingsworth said.

Wright-McGlotten led Sussex Tech with 15 carries for 202-yards and three touchdowns; Turnage had four carries for 71-yards and a touchdown; Justice carried the ball seven time for 58-yards and a touchdown; Holland added four carries for 31-yards and a 25-yard reception; Ayers pulled in a 58-yard touchdown reception; and Sheets was 3-for-7 for 85-yards and a touchdown.

“It’s really nice to lean on that stable of guys,” Ellingsworth said of his running backs. “I was pleased that we hit the deep shot early on.”

Sussex Tech travels to Bohemia Manor (Md.) this week, a team the Ravens and their coach have never played. The one year game replaces a scheduled contest against Arcadia which couldn’t be played due to a scheduling conflict. The JV game takes place at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity game.