Golden Knights shock Smyrna on late touchdown; advance to DI championship

Chase Boyle's TD catch with :05 seconds left sends Central to title game

SMYRNA, De- The Sussex Central Golden Knights are heading to their second Division I championship game in the last three years, knocking off top-seed Smyrna 38-34 in the state semifinal on Friday night.

The game was an instant classic–with both teams trading punches throughout the entire night. Central took 14-0 lead after the first quarter off two Dion Stephens rushing scores. Smyrna would answer back when Aidan Sanchez hit Jermaine Earl for the Eagles first touchdown.

The teams would trade scores three more times before the end of the half, with Central QB Zimir Gardner throwing two touchdown passes in late in the second quarter to give the Knights a 26-14 lead at the half.

In the second half–Smyrna would begin to cut into the deficit, Dominick Galban scored to cut the Central lead to 26-20 with 6:24 remaining in the third. That score would hold until the fourth quarter.

In the fourth–Central would extend their lead early, only to be walked down by the Eagles. Sanchez would score two touchdowns in five minutes to give Smyrna their first lead of the game at 34-32 with 1:54 left in game.

In the final minute, the Golden Knights would put together a drive, aided by a pass interference call–that would land them at the Eagles’ 15-yard line. After a couple of failed attempts–Gardner would hit Chase Boyle for the game-winning 15-yard touchdown with :05 seconds remaining in game.

Central will await the winner of Saturday’s St. Georges/Middletown semifinal for next week’s Division I title game.