David vs. Goliath

By now, most everyone in the local community knows Culpeper’s football team snapped a 16-game losing streak last week when it defeated Caroline 21-7 and earn its first Battlefield District win in the process.

But for those who enjoy some trivia, try answering these questions:

What was the name of the last team Culpeper defeated before the 16-game skid began?

Answer: Loudoun Valley. The score? 28-21 in overtime. The date? Oct. 20, 2007. The place? Purcellville.

No wonder the Blue Devils (1-3, 1-0) savored the sweet and elusive taste of victory last Friday night.

How did they get there?

A ball-control offense and a stingy defense.

“Caroline ran only nine offensive plays in the second half,” said Culpeper head Coach Mike Williams. “That’s a pretty fair defensive game.”

Offensively the Blue Devils went into the game with a different look. Williams and his staff called on Donald Downs to split time at quarterback with Cortez Rollins. When it was Rollins’ turn he found Downs as a receiver for a 16-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

“Downs gave us a little different look,” said Williams. “With him at quarterback it gave us two strong runners (in Rollins and Larry Williams).”

John Lezcano, one of the team’s top receivers was listed as questionable before the start of last week’s game, but played in spots and even tallied 30-plus rushing yards.

But teammates Duane Wilkins and Robbie Mayes were out of the lineup last week and will be out again tonight when the Blue Devils host James Monroe. Both are expected to return to duty the following week.

Not only did the offense and defense perform well for the Blue Devils but the team was boosted by special teams play as well.

DeVontay Tate, a 5’8” and 155-pound junior, made his varsity debut with a 72-yard kickoff return for touchdown and place kicker Jordan Cannon was a perfect 3-of-3 on PATs and booted one kickoff into the endzone for a touchback.

Can the Blue Devils keep it going tonight?

Though they return to the friendly environs of Broman Field, their visitors from James Monroe are formidable and dangerous.

The Yellow Jackets (3-1, 1-0) are the defending Group AA, Division 3 state champions and are coming to town fresh off of their paralyzing shutout sting of Spotsylvania, 64-0.

“They have a lot of skill players,” said Williams. “Every one of them can take it to the house.”

Quarterback Farkeem French, who went 5-of-9 for 139 yards and three touchdowns last week, leads the versatile offensive attack. He has running back Mike Latney (14-179 yards, 3 TDs last week) and wideouts Greg Edwards, Keenan Carter, A’Darius Brown and Deandre McCullam as dangerous targets.

Edwards is the tallest of the group and was an All-Battlefield District selection a year ago. He had a 64-yard touchdown catch last week.

Brown doubles his duties as a punt returner and returned a punt 65 yards for a score versus Spotsylvania.

“Their athletes are some of the best in the district,” said Williams. “We’ll try to match up our best players with their players. We have to slow things down. (James Monroe) can’t win if they don’t have the ball.”

If there’s a chink in James Monroe’s armor it’s up front on the defensive side of the ball.

All five starters from last year are gone including All-Group AA nose guard Andrew Carter.

But the secondary is solid. French was an all-state selection and joins speedy Tyran Bates at corner with Carter at free safety.

The defense’s shutout win over Spotsylvania made it three straight.

“We’ll use a little more split time stuff with Downs and Rollins,” said Williams. “We have a couple of series where Rollins can be a blocker or a runner.”

Tonight’s kickoff at Broman Field is at 7:30 p.m.