By Noel Oliver

The Charlotte Gazette

Randolph-Henry’s homecoming game that was played on Friday night between the Statesmen and the Cumberland Dukes was a night that hardly anything could go wrong for the Statesmen, as an interception made by Fred Tidings with a mere 3:28 on the halftime clock led to a 42-6 win for the Statesmen.   

With the loss, Cumberland fell to 2-3. R-H improved to 3-4.

The Statesmen defense was just too formidable for the Dukes, whose only score took place during the third quarter by Darius Jackson. Jackson finished the night with 13 carries for 69 yards.

“We felt like we had prepared adequately for the game, but we could not simulate the speed of their quarterback (Joseph Reed) in practice. He’s a really good player and we simply could not make the plays necessary to stop them,” said Cumberland football coach Ed Knapp.

“Offensively, we continue to run the ball well, but our execution in the passing game was not what we need it to be.”

Brandon Leabough helped lead the Dukes with 14 carries for 76 yards. He also went 6-for-17 in passing for 63 yards.

Dakoda Boyles and Jackson were key defenders for Cumberland and had five tackles each. Jamie Trent and Raheem Rumsey had three tackles a piece.

The Dukes finished the night with 182 yards rushing.

Cumberland will face off against Prince Edward on Friday at 7 p.m.