Victory huge boost to Devils spirits

The Blue Devils needed this one.

Culpeper County High School had lost its previous two football games, to C.D. Hylton and Osbourn Park, by a combined nine points. Another heart breaker at Loudoun Valley Saturday might have broken Blue Devils' spirit.

But quarterback Kyle Majors had his best game of the season to lift CCHS to the win.

Majors threw for 154 yards and ran for 65 more. He scored two rushing touchdowns and connected with receiver Joey Powell on a 10-yard slant route for the game-winner in overtime.

And afterwards, when he realized that the Blue Devils had finally pulled out a close victory, Majors' emotions caught up with him on the sideline.

"It was a lot built in me I guess," Majors said after the game. "I'm just glad we got the win. Everybody played hard and we deserved it."

Majors commanded on offense that continued to improve. CCHS scored 57 points in the first five games of the season. The Blue Devils have scored 50 in the past two weeks.

"I'm not going to complain," CCHS coach Greg Martz said.

The secret to success has been the emergence of the passing game. Majors threw for 111 yards against Osbourn Park and 154 against Loudoun Valley.

And the ability to throw the ball prevents opposing defenses from focusing on stopping the Blue Devils ground game. In the end, a better passing game makes more room for Majors and Steven Strother to run. The duo has combined for 352 yards on the ground in the past two weeks.

"We just needed a wake up call," Strother said. "We can play like this every week."

Putting it all together
The Blue Devils played a complete game for the first time all season Saturday at Loudoun Valley.

The last two weeks, CCHS has lost close games. Each week, it seemed that one part of the team had a bad night.

Against C.D. Hylton, the defense was brilliant, holding the Bulldogs to 15 points. But the Culpeper offense was limited to 12 points.

When the Blue Devils traveled to Osbourn Park, the offense was sharp, amassing 342 yards of total offense and scoring 22 points.

But the defense gave up 219 yards to Yellow Jackets running back Shawn Khanamuenwai.

Against the Vikings, the Blue Devils clicked in all facets of the game on the same day. After Loudoun Valley scored two quick touchdowns in the first quarter, the CCHS defense toughened up and didn't allow another first down until the fourth quarter.

"We didn't get our heads down like usual, like the old team would," defensive end Roger Davis said. "We just stepped it up and played our game."

On offense, the Blue Devils moved the ball up and down the field on the way to a season-best 28 points.

"When the defense gives the offense some field position and then the offense can keep the defense off the field, it gives us better chances," Martz said. "Then when it comes to a close game like (Loudoun Valley) you don't make as many mistakes and the breaks fall your way. It's funny how that works."

Powell emerges as go-to guy
Joey Powell knew what play he wanted called in the huddle during overtime Saturday. He knew if he ran a slant pattern and split the cornerback and safety, he'd be open for the game-winning touchdown.

"I was calling for it the whole game, and (offensive coordinator Donald) Dodson said 'don't worry, it's coming for you," he said.

Powell has become the go-to guy when the Blue Devils look to pass. He has the ability to beat his man or make a catch in traffic and has developed a trust with his quarterback.

"I can always depend on Joey to catch the ball," Majors said.
For the season, Powell has 20 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

First time in a long time
Saturday's win over Loudoun Valley was the first district win for the Blue Devils in a while.

CCHS hadn't won a Cedar Run game since defeating Battlefield in overtime in 2005. The district win Saturday was just the second of coach Greg Martz's three-year coaching career.

Now, the Blue Devils turn their attention to Liberty Eagles who, like Loudoun Valley, are new to the district this season.

There's extra incentive for Culpeper. Former CCHS running back Mark Simpson, who transferred to Liberty this year, will play his first game against his former teammates.

"That game will be the real deal," CCHS linebacker Blake Smith said. "Everybody should come out to that one."

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