The Cumberland High School varsity football team had been outscored 119-13 through its first three games this season, but on Friday night, the Dukes played some catch-up.

They visited King and Queen Central High School and engineered a 61-6 blowout win over the struggling Royal Tigers (0-3).

“Everybody did their job,” Cumberland Head Coach Edgar Knapp said Saturday morning. “Last night was the first time this year where we, in an actual real game, really put it together and played well.”

The Dukes led 19-0 after the first quarter, 32-6 at halftime and 46-6 after three quarters.

Cumberland entered the week of preparation for King and Queen on the heels of a third consecutive lopsided loss, and Knapp and his staff revisited everything, including the lineup, and made some changes.

Senior Jamie Trent became the starter at tailback. He carried the ball 35 times Friday for 286 yards and four scores.

The Dukes had senior Kaleb Boyles back on the field after he missed the prior game due to injury.

“He moved back in to play offensive guard and also as a lead back in our backfield when we ran our jumbo package,” Knapp said. “And he really, really makes a difference in our offense as far as the blocking.”

On the ground, Cumberland gained 477 yards and eight touchdowns for the game. Junior Darron Ridley gained 109 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and senior Brandon Leabough had eight carries for 75 yards and three touchdowns.

Leabough also went 3-for-3 passing for 45 yards and a touchdown pass. Sophomore Kahare Sutton had two catches for 35 yards and a score.

The Dukes also made some changes defensively.

“We kind of brought our defensive ends a little bit further outside and tilted them in a little bit to get a little better pass rush,” Knapp said.

Senior Jaylen Gilliam finished the game with six solo tackles, four for a loss, one assist and two sacks.

“He was just a beast,” Knapp said. “James Booker had his second interception of the season last night. Brandon Leabough had an interception. Kahare Sutton continues to do a really great job on our return team, bringing the ball back.”

The coach said he hopes this is one of those situations where his team has finally woken up and is headed in the right direction.

Cumberland (1-3) hosts Amelia County High School on Friday at 7 p.m.