by George Commo

Essex — The Essex Hornets spotted the Mt. Anthony Patriots a 3-0 first quarter lead before rolling up 42 straight points on route to a 49-10 win over the Patriots on Friday night on the Essex Field.

Mt. Anthony scored on their first possession as Will Fischer’s halfback option pass to Mickey Bernard set them up deep in Essex territory and quarterback Ryan O’Neill finished the drive with a 29 yard field goal for a 3-0 advantagewith 7:48 left in the first quarter. . But Essex marched right back down the field keyed by running back Jordan Hines, whose 20 yard TD run with 6:20 left in the quarter gave Essex the lead for good.

Essex QB/DB Otis Crock picked off an O’Neill pass inside the Hornets’ 25 yard line on the Patriots next possession and Essex went right back down the field, with Crock finishing the drive on a five yard run for a 14-3 lead after one.

Essex owned the second twelve minutes, scoring on a 2 yard run by Hunter Smith, a four yard carry by Tyler Roberge and a 23 yard TD pass from Crock to Hines for a 35-3 lead at the break.

After Smith galloped 30 yards down the sideline before stepping out of bounds at the four, Crock took it home for six and a 42-3 lead three and a half minutes into the second half. Mt Anthony responded late in the third as Fischer broke loose for an 83 yard TD run to make it 42-10 after three.

Reserve fullback Michael Ashley finished the scoring for Essex with a 51 yard TD with just over seven minutes to play.

With the win Essex improves to 2-0. Mt. Anthony is 0-2.