And so it begins

Through seven games this season, rainy fields and homecomings have proven conducive to Culpeper’s recent gridiron success.

The Blue Devils won their homecoming game on a soggy Broman Field against Spotsylvania last week and Culpeper (3-4, 3-1 Battlefield) previously won homecomings at both Caroline and King George; the latter of which was played in a steady downpour.

Now, with three wins in the regular season for the first time since 2004, the Blue Devils will try to keep it going tonight when they travel to Courtland to take on the Cougars (5-2, 4-0) in a pivotal district match-up.

But Courtland has already played its homecoming game with a decisive win over King George, and today’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies. Will field conditions and the absence of a familiar theme really make a difference tonight when it’s all said and done?

“I’m glad the homecoming games are over,” Culpeper coach Mike Williams said. “When we look at what we’ve done so far we see that we’ve cut down on mental errors and that’s what it’s going to take from here on out. Don’t make dumb penalties.”

The Blue Devils will almost be at full strength tonight.

Almost.

Wide receiver/defensive back Robbie Mayes returned to action last week, played in spots, and is fully healthy for tonight’s game.

But center Chris Woodward is out with a hamstring injury, so guard and long-snapper Richard Carpenter will move to full-time duties at center, while Colin Huntt will fill the vacancy at guard.

The team will continue to run the same offense with Donald Downs at quarterback, Cortez Rollins and Larry Williams carrying the bulk of the rushing load, and John Lezcano, Duane Wilkins and Joe Hoffman as receiving targets.

Rollins rushed for three touchdowns last week and Williams for one in the team’s 34-2 victory.

Defensive back Matt Wince scooped up a fumble and ran for a score as well.

As for tonight’s opponent, except for non-district losses to Group AAA Massaponax (29-10) and Riverbend (21-15), the Cougars have been impressive with shutouts in each of their four wins — 35-0 over King George, a 59-0 shellacking of Spotsylvania, the 27-0 sweep of Eastern View and a 46-0 thumping of Caroline last week.

Operating from the Wing T offense, the Cougars have had no difficulty scoring points. Quarterback Ryan McBroom, a 6-2, 225-pound senior, leads the attack.

McBroom has running backs Kirk Wilson, Billy Bowen, Michael Bailey and Josh Dubose as potential ball carriers, and receiving threats in Ricky Yarris, Brandon Mazell, Kyle Norton and Wahid Moore.
Wilson and Bowen both rushed for over 100 yards in the win against Eastern View.

They get space from pulling guards Chris Ragonesi and Ethan Longtin, who are mainstays on defense as well.

“Courtland runs its offense very well,” said Williams. “They will lull you to sleep with their running game and then throw the ball deep.”

On defense, the stingy Cougars operate primarily from a 4-3-cover 2.

“Their outside linebackers play contain,” said Williams. “Their inside linebacker stays in the tackle box. If you get by him you’re at the safety and Rollins and Williams do that.”

With only three games remaining in the regular season, the race for the district crown begins in earnest tonight.

Atop the district are James Monroe, Chancellor and Courtland, all 4-0 in the league with James Monroe 6-1 overall and Chancellor and Courtland both at 5-2. Culpeper follows at 3-1, 3-4, then Eastern View, 1-3, 3-4, King George, 0-4, 1-6, and winless Spotsylvania at 0-4, 0-7 and Caroline at 0-4, 0-7.

Tonight Chancellor battles James Monroe, Courtland will try to keep pace at home against Culpeper, and Eastern View hopes to keep its playoff hopes alive with a win over Caroline.

Tonight’s kickoff for Culpeper at Courtland High School is set for 7:30.