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• SLIDESHOW Blue Devils vs. Fauquier

WARRENTON - Fauquier's Kyle Neumann sat on the sideline, cast on left arm. He was just waiting for his chance.

Neumann sparked his team when he entered the game in the second quarter, leading Fauquier to a 42-12 win over Culpeper at Falcon Field Friday.

"I get kind of nervous, but once my teammates lift me up, everyone plays as a team," Neumann said. "… I love it, just being able to pass as much as I can. I love to pass."

Neumann had plenty of opportunities to throw the ball. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns.

Culpeper controlled the early part of the game. The Blue Devils dropped and extra safety into coverage against the aggressive Fauquier spread offense and forced four first half interceptions.

K.K. Pollard returned a pick 50 yards to the endzone with 10:36 in the second quarter to give CCHS a 6-0 lead. Carter Mills missed the extra point.

It was the third interception thrown by Falcons' starting quarterback Ryan Steves. That's when Neumann was sent into the game.

Then everything changed.

Neumann immediately responded by connecting with David Lewis on a 41-yard touchdown pass that capped a 6-play, 80-yard drive and snatched the momentum back from the Blue Devils.

Neumann threw three more touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Falcons a commanding 28-6 halftime lead.

"When Fauquier had to make a play, and make it well, they did a good job of it," CCHS coach Greg Martz said. ". …they made some great catches and great throws for them when they needed it."

Culpeper's offense struggled all night. The team finished with 86 total yards and turnovers did in the Blue Devils. Fauquier's four first-half scores were set up by two Culpeper fumbles, a Kyle Majors interception and a blocked field goal attempt. Those mistakes prevented CCHS from controlling the momentum of the game and negated the big plays of the Blue Devils defense.

"I don't think anybody expected this outcome after four picks," Majors said. "We just need to stay focused and in the game."

Martz sent Cody Whitlock into the game at quarterback after halftime, but the CCHS offense continued to struggle. As the deficit grew, the Blue Devils were forced to abandon the running game and throw on almost every snap. Whitlock finished 3 of 16 for 28 yards. He threw two interceptions.

Fauquier's spread offense moved the ball efficiently against the Blue Devils. The Falcons balanced a quick-hitting passing attack with an effective running game. Brock Womack finished with 60 yards on 14 carries.

It was another rough night for Carter Mills. The CCHS kicker had two field goals and an extra point attempt blocked. According to Martz, the special teams struggles are a matter of the team not taking the time to settle down.

"We don't seem to have the brakes hitting when we need to. We panic," he said. "… Some of our guys are are so afraid to mess up that they hesitate. Sometimes you've got to play like you're not afraid to lose."

Stevie Strother continued to flash his big-play ability. He struggled to run the ball, finishing with 26 yards on 10 carries, but had two interceptions, including one he returned 60 yards.

He also scored the Blue Devils' second touchdown, racing 54 yards on a punt return in the third quarter.

After a tough loss, Strother says the only thing the Blue Devils can do is wipe this one away.

"Next week's a whole new week, a new game, a new attitude," he said. "We'll come ready to play."

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or .

Next Week
CCHS vs. C.D. Hylton
7:30 at Broman Field
14240 Achievement Drive, Culpeper

Fauquier 42, Culpeper 12
Score by quarters
Culpeper  0 6 0 6 
Fauquier 0 28 0 14
Scoring summary
Second quarter
Cul- K.K. Pollard 50 interception return (kick fail), 10:36
F - David Lewis 41 pass from Kyle Neumann (Hanzlik kick), 8:35
F - Walter Davis 7 pass from Neumann (Hanzlik kick), 5:39
F - Davis 18 pass from Neumann (Hanzlik kick), 2:15
F - Lewis 4 pass from Neumann (Hanzlik kick), :01
Third Quarter
Cul - Steven Strother 54 punt return (2-pt failed), 5:46
Fourth Quarter
F - Davis 24 pass from Neumann (Hanzlik kick), 10:36
F - Aubrey McClean 1 run (Hanzlik kick), 4:53
Individual Statistics
RUSHING - Culpeper, Strother 10-26, Kyle Majors 6-8, Cortez Rollins 1-4, Pollard 2-(minus 6), Cody Whitlock 1-(minus 2), B.J. Minor 2-5. Fauquier, Davis 6-40, Brock Womack 14-60, Ryan Steves 3-1, Kyle Neumann 2 (minus 2), McClean 3-2, Shawn Blount 3-18.
PASSING - Culpeper,  Majors 1-10-5-1, Whitlock 3-16-28-2, Joey Powell 1-1-17-0; Fauquier Steves 6-13-82-3, Neumann 17-28-240-1.
RECEIVING - Culpeper, Powell 1-13, Majors 1-5, Steven Reynolds 1-5, Stephanos Wenner 1-10; Fauquier, Lewis 3-63, Pete Kidwell 3-36, Aubrey McClean 6-66, Davis 7-115, Ayron Marshall 1-17,  Brandon Thompson 2-23, Womack 1-3, Derrick Edwards 1-16.