BUCKINGHAM – If there was ever a chance for the Buckingham County High School football team to fall victim of a trap game, last Friday night could've fit the bill.

It didn't. The Knights refrained from looking past Chatham in the non-district home contest, and moved the football effectively in the 40-16 victory to run their consecutive regular-season win streak to 17 games.

“It was really hot in practice leading up to the game,” said BCHS head coach Craig Gill. “But we had a great week leading up. This bunch likes to work, and their efforts paid off in the result.”

As has been the norm all season, Buckingham used a well-balanced offensive attack. Despite losing senior tailback Maurice Taylor to a thumb injury in the second quarter, the Knights were able to build a comfortable lead, due in large part to the rushing performance by freshman Kenneth Johnson, who led the team with 66 yards.

Buckingham held a 14-0 lead at halftime on a 16-yard touchdown run by LA Briley, and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Tarian Ayers to Camre Johnson.

Buckingham put the game away in the third quarter with two scores – a 14-yard touchdown run by Johnson and a 5-yard option keeper by Ayers with 2:46 remaining in the third.

BCHS extended its lead to 34-0 early in the fourth quarter after Camre Johnson recovered a fumble at midfield, and Kenneth Johnson rushed in from four yards out.

Chatham, which was stifled by the Buckingham defense all night, began to move the ball through a number of misdirection and option plays, against the Knights who were substituting liberally. Chatham scored its first touchdown with four minutes remaining to close the gap to 34-8.

Kenneth Johnson scored Buckingham's last touchdown of the night, his third, on a 40-yard interception return with 57 seconds left to play, and Chatham closed the scoring with 4.2 seconds remaining to bring the final score to 40-16.

“We've still got a few things to iron out, but I thought we had a good night both offensively and defensively,” said Gill.

In addition to Johnson's performance, Taylor rushed nine times for 64 yards, while Briley had three carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. Ayers rushed six times for 35 yards and a score.

Ayers was 11-18 for 133 yards and a touchdown. Camre Johnson had five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Caleb White caught five balls for 58 yards and Briley had one grab for eight yards.

Defensively, Kenneth Johnson had 10.5 tackles and an interception for a touchdown, while Michael Layman had 10.5 tackles and a forced fumble. Tariq Bartee had eight tackles with one for a loss, and Jackson Bryant had six stops with one for a loss.

Buckingham will travel to Manassas Park this Friday for a 7:30 p.m. contest. Like the Knights, the Mustangs are undefeated. Though it's a non-district contest, it will be a big one in terms of possible playoff seeding.