Prince Edward Edges Cumberland, 21-19

Published 10:54 am Tuesday, October 7, 2014

CUMBERLAND — Although they had to play through cold and rainy conditions on Friday, October 3, the Prince Edward County High School varsity football team managed to take home a 21-19 win over the Cumberland High School Dukes.

“It was a fun game to be a part of, even with the weather woes. You hated to see a team lose in such a hard-fought game,” PECHS varsity football coach James Ford commented.

The game began with PECHS' Anthony Walker running into the end zone for an Eagles 10-yard touchdown. The extra point following was successful, which put the score at 7-0, Eagles.

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Cumberland returned with a touchdown in the last few minutes of the first quarter when Brandon Leabough scored on a quarterback sneak. The Dukes' extra point by E.J. Rose was successful, which tied the game 7-7.

The second quarter of the game went by slowly and saw no scores by either team.

As if it were deja vu, Gray ran into the end zone in the first few minutes of the second half for a 13-yard touchdown. With the extra point, Prince Edward took back the lead with a 14-7 score. That was the sole score of the third quarter.

During the final quarter, both teams flip-flopped possessions until the four-minute mark when Delquan Bigelow scored for the Eagles on an eight-yard run. The extra point was successful, notching the score to 21-7, PECHS. Shortly thereafter CHS' Rose threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Ahmad Booker. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, which left Prince Edward in the lead with a 21-13 score.

With less than four seconds left in the game, Cumberland shocked everyone when Booker scored on a 47-yard touchdown pass thrown by Rose. The crowd was tense as the Dukes set up for the two-point conversion play. However, the Eagles did not allow Cumberland to tie the score and go into overtime. “We knew Cumberland would be up for this match-up and we had to match their intensity. We responded well and were able to come out with an important victory,” Ford added.

PECHS' offense was led by Gray and Bigelow. Bigelow had 17 carries for 148 yards and scored a touchdown, while Gray had nine carries for 64 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Ford went on to say, “Defensively, we played well as a unit and we were led in tackles by Kasaun Watkins.”

Watkins finished the night with 11 tackles (nine of them were solo tackles) and a forced fumble. Amonte Vaughan contributed with five tackles (three were solo) and a sack, while My'Qual Lee had five tackles (four solo), a sack, and a forced fumble.

Cumberland was led offensively by Ford, who had six carries for 53 yards and a reception for 60 yards. Booker followed with three catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns, while Rose had four passes for 201 yards and threw two touchdowns. Rose also scored an extra point. Leabough scored a touchdown, as well.

Dakoda Boyles ran the Dukes' defense with 13 solo tackles.

“I felt like we played well and it was a shame that someone had to lose that game. Our offensive line played better and we were able to open up the play book a little more,” commented CHS varsity football coach David Sullivan.

The Prince Edward varsity football team will return to their home field on Friday, October 10 when they host the Randolph-Henry Statesmen at 7 p.m.

“They (R-H) are a very athletic team led by UVa commit Joseph Reed. But the team is not just him. They have good athletes on the edges and a good linebacker corporation. We really will have to have another good week of practice this week,” Ford remarked.

The Cumberland Dukes varsity football team will hit the road on Friday, October 10 when they trek to Amelia County High School at 7 p.m. for a game against the Raiders.