CUMBERLAND – The “Battle of Route 60” generally offers a little of everything when Cumberland and Buckingham get together.

The Knights' 35-0 victory offered some big things, as BCHS senior tailback Maurice Taylor rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries to help Buckingham record its second-consecutive shutout over its rivals from down the road.

Buckingham (7-0, 1-0 JRD) had trouble moving the ball in its spread formation, but went to an old friend to open things up, so to speak, after BCHS starting quarterback Tarian Ayers was injured in the second quarter.

“We went back to our old 'I formation', and it worked well for us,” said BCHS head coach Craig Gill. “Maurice had a great night, and broke the game open for us. Cam Johnson came in and ran the offense very well.”

“You never want to see an opposing player get injured, but we really didn't, because when they left the spread, it played right to their strength and our weakness,” said CHS head coach Michael Sutton. “When they were in the spread, our speed on defense was able to slow them down, but we had no answer for their power game.”

Buckingham led 14-0 at the half on two Taylor touchdown runs of 26 and six yards. Meanwhile, Cumberland (1-6, 0-1 JRD) was unable to get anything going on the ground or through the air.

Buckingham's defense held CHS receiver Rashawn Sims to four receptions for 41 yards, while quarterback Devonte Booker was 7-18 for 70 yards with two interceptions. The Dukes relied heavily on their passing game on the night against a stingy BCHS defense.

Just 45 seconds into the third quarter, Taylor pretty much put the game out of reach with a 58-yard touchdown run on the second play in the third quarter.

Johnson hit LA Briley on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 5:31 remaining in the third and Taylor closed out the scoring early in the fourth quarter with a 34-yard touchdown run.

With 4:34 remaining, a skirmish between the two teams brought the game to a premature end.

“I know it's a heated rivalry,” said Sutton, “but this isn't the way it should have ended.”

“It was a shame, and I apologize for what happened,” said Gill. “That's not a true picture of the kinds of kids that are on both sidelines. It was an unsportsmanlike ending to what was otherwise a good night for us.”

The bulk of Buckingham's offense came from Taylor.

Ayers was 2-7 for 37 yards passing and an interception, while Johnson was 2-2 for 41 yards and a touchdown. Briley had two catches for 41 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson had one catch for 34 yards.

Defensively, Buckingham was led by Tariq Bartee, who had ten tackles and a sack, while Caderious Bowles had five tackles, a tackle for a loss and two sacks. Johnson and Laysean Hearns had interceptions.

Cumberland was led defensively by Arthur Byrd, who had eight tackles. Antonio Richardson and CJ Anderson added seven tackles apiece, while Booker and Sims had interceptions.

Buckingham will host Randolph-Henry on Friday night, while Cumberland travels to Amelia for 7 p.m. James River District contests.