Dukes play hard in loss

Published 2:38 pm Tuesday, September 6, 2016

In the contest between Cumberland High School’s varsity football team and visiting Central Virginia Homeschool on Friday night, the final score did not come close to telling the whole story.

The Disciples defeated the Dukes 40-0.

“If you would have told me at any time in my career as a football coach that I’d be proud of my team who lost 40-0, I’d have said you were crazy, but I am really, really proud of the way we played tonight,” Cumberland Head Coach Edgar Knapp said. “Due to the illnesses on the team and the injuries from last week, we had kids who were playing out of position all over the place and they were playing their hearts out. Central Virginia Homeschool is a top-notch program.”

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Senior Jamie Trent led the Dukes with 48 yards rushing on 11 carries and registered seven solo tackles and two assists.

Knapp said freshman and first-time starter Blake Barker played well at center, with senior center Tyruss Sims moving to tackle to put the line together.

Other standouts Knapp highlighted included senior defensive end Jaylen Gilliam, who recorded a sack, junior cornerback Christian Allen, who had an interception, and sophomore offensive/defensive lineman Kaijhaun Trent, who stepped in with limited experience and shined.

Senior Brandon Leabough led the Dukes with 12 solo tackles.

The Dukes (0-2) play at Bluestone High School on Friday at 7 p.m.