Essex built a 49-0 lead by the half and went on to beat Northumberland, 56-14, in a Region 1A quarterfinal last Friday. The host Trojans scored on their opening possession, picked off two NHS passes and returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown all in the first half. Essex will host Sussex Central in a regional semifinal this weekend. Northumberland’s Delvin Palmer (#3) had a hand in both Indian touchdowns in Tappahannock. Palmer threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Drake in the third quarter then broke for a 74-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.