New look. Old results.

The William Campbell football team may have abandoned the spread that made the Generals one of the most successful Group A football teams in the state over the last ten years, but their new power attack out of the Wing-T can still produce big victories as Cumberland found out in its 42-14 season-opening loss at home last Friday night.

“They had some players who didn't play in their scrimmage, but played on Friday that were game-breakers,” said CHS head coach Michael Sutton. “They weren't the team we saw a week before in their scrimmage, but we weren't either.”

The youth along Cumberland's lines showed against a powerful William Campbell attack. Penalties on offense and missed tackles on defense put the Dukes in an early hole.

“Their strength and size overpowered us, and we missed a lot of tackles on defense. We got there, but didn't get our pads on them.”

William Campbell used a 65-yard run to score on its first possession, and quickly built a 20-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

“We couldn't get our running game going on offense, and they had a 6-6 receiver that played jump ball against our defense on pass plays all night. Looking at the film, we defended him as well as we could, but we didn't have anyone who could compete with his height.

Cumberland trailed 27-0 at the half, and scored twice in the second half, but couldn't get enough going consistently to get back into the game.

The CHS offense amassed a total of just 50 yards for the game, while quarterback Devonte Booker was 8-14 on the evening for 142 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on a tipped pass.

His two touchdown strikes were a five-yarder to tight end June Davenport and a 28-yard toss to Rashawn Sims. Sims led the Dukes in receiving with five catches for 107 yards.

Defensively, CHS was led by C.J. Anderson, who had nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while Ke'Ron Jennings had seven tackles and a sack.

“We couldn't get anything going, and they showed up with defensive pressure and they made their tackles.”

Cumberland will travel to rival Prince Edward on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

“We don't have to worry about getting the kids up for this one,” said Sutton. “We're young. They're young, and there's already a lot at stake. We've got to work on getting our running game going. I feel good about where our passing game is, but we've got to work on balancing things out offensively and our tackling on defense.”