Charles City runs circles around Dukes, wins opener 33-6

Charles City's Craig Jones (8) sidesteps Duke defensive back Brandon Leabough (on ground) and eludes linebacker Kaleb Boyles (53). While Jones found the end zone, the play was negated by a penalty.

Andre Jones photo

Last year, it took Charles City’s Panthers eight games before they notched their first victory. This year it only took one contest.

Powered by a strong performance on the ground, Charles City rushed over and around the hosting Cumberland Dukes 33-6 in the Aug. 26 season opener for both teams.

The visiting Panthers used the ground game to their advantage early on, with senior running back Cecil Tyler recording a 32-yard run. Classmate Mason Jefferson would do the honors with a two-yard dive to give the visitors a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Jefferson would return to the end zone on the ground with a 14-yard scamper to widen Charles City’s lead to 14-0 heading into the intermission break.

The senior duo would continue the damage in the third quarter, this time courtesy of a screen pass from Jefferson to Tyler that reeled off 31 yards. Tyler completed the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, giving the visitors a 20-0 lead.

Not to be left out, Charles City’s defense picked up from antics they caused the week before against New Kent in an exhibition contest. With Cumberland sitting on the Panthers 34-yard line courtesy of two personal foul penalties, the Dukes were on their best drive of the night before the Panthers’ defense answered the call. A quick pitch to Jamie Trent saw the ball slip through his hand. Trent scooped the ball up and attempted to make a play, but ran into the arms of Panther defensive back Kyle Jones. Jones stripped the ball from the running back as it popped straight into the air and landed into the hands of teammate Justin Thomas. Thomas, accompanied by a host of blockers, scurried down the Panther sideline 59 yards to give the Panthers a comfortable 26-0 lead heading into the fourth.

Charles City’s final score came at the 6:10 mark of the final frame, as Jefferson connected with Jones on a swing pass for a 27-yard touchdown. Cumberland prevented the shutout with 21 seconds showing on the clock courtesy of a Kahare Sutton to James Booker 13-yard touchdown strike.

After the contest, Panthers head coach Steward Greene spoke about the improved offense that racked up 428 yards on offense, with 340 of those yards compliments of a strong rushing attack.

“Tonight we figured it out offensively,” said the victorious head coach. “We came around surely but shortly and we started clicking.”

Greene also commented that the team’s focus needs to shift to minimizing mistakes.

“Penalties plagued us again,” Greene continued. “We had one penalty wipe out a long touchdown pass and a delay of game penalty that prevented us from scoring before the break.

“Overall though, this was a successful contest for us and we’re off to a positive start and will just build on that,” he concluded.

1st Quarter
CC (3:24)- Jefferson 2 yard run (pass fail) 6-0
2nd Quarter
CC (3:21)- Jefferson 14 yard run (Tyler run) 14-0
3rd Quarter
CC (5:38)- Tyler 10 yard run (pass fail) 20-0
CC (2:23)- Thomas 59 yard fumble return (run fail) 26-0
4th Quarter
CC (6:10)- Jefferson to K. Jones 27 yard pass (C. Jones kick) 33-0
CU (0:21)- Sutton to Booker 13 yard pass (kick fail) 33-6

Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
CC- Jefferson 7/15/88, 1 TD, 1 int.
CU- Sutton 2/4/28, 1 TD; Leabough 0/4/0.
Rushing (attempts/yards)
CC- Tyler 13/127, 1 TD; Crawley 2/91, Jefferson 15/78, 2 TD; K. Jones 4/46, Thomas 1/-2.
CU- Jennings 16/100, Trent 9/34, Ridley 1/10, Diming 1/1, Leabough 4/0, Sutton 6/-2.
Receiving (receptions/yards)
CC- K. Jones 3/42, 1 TD; Tyler 1/31, C. Jones 1/8, Crawley 1/5, Thomas 1/2.
CU- Brown 1/16, Booker 1/13, 1 TD.