Questionable play call helps Cumberland escape in CC

Charles City linebacker Tesean Greene delivers a hit on Cumberland running back T.J. Ford during a second quarter drive.

Andre' Jones photo

After stopping the Cumberland Dukes scoring attempt and up by five points with less than six minutes remaining in the game, Charles City’s Panthers looked to earn its first victory of the season in front of the home crowd.

But a questionable play call on third and long deep in Dukes territory resulted in a fumble that led to an eventual game-winning score as Cumberland escaped with a 31-28 victory over the Panthers last Friday.

On third and eight in the final quarter, head coach Alan Jones Sr. elected to run a reverse to running back Jaquane Wyatt. After running back Charles Vaden received the toss, the exchange to Wyatt was bobbled, resulting in Duke defensive back Dylan Samuels pouncing on the ball at the four-yard line. Duke running back T.J. Ford would punch in what would be the game-winning score on the next play.

“It was a breakdown in understanding the play,” said Jones referencing the intention of the play. “We didn’t execute it correctly. It was supposed to be a direct handoff from the quarterback to Wyatt.”

Even with the misfortune of the play, Charles City squandered many opportunities in the game. After jumping up early 14-0 in the game thanks to a Khairi Wyatt quarterback sneak and a subsequent Khairi Wyatt 11-yard touchdown pass to Craig McElroy, the Panthers offense pounded the ball on the ground and kept the visitors off balance.

Early in the second quarter, Khairi Wyatt went down to an injury near the hosts’ goal line, resulting in freshman backup Troy Crawley taking the snaps. The signal caller inexperience played keen on the next play as he was sacked in the end zone, resulting in the first points for the guest.

After a short kickoff, Ford scored on a 31-yard run to cut the lead 14-9 after Edward Rose placement. Cumberland stopped Charles City’s drive on the next series and one play later, Rose, who also doubles as the guests’ quarterback, found receiver Davonn Taylor on a crossing route. Taylor broke away from three tackles by Panther defenders and found the end zone, giving the guests a 16-14 halftime lead and three scores in less than a three-minute time frame.

Transitioning into the third, the hosts capitalized off of Cumberland’s aggressive pressure. Tesean Greene became the recipient of back-to-back screen plays, resulting in 75 receiving yards. Greene punched in the Panthers next score on a two-yard touchdown run, returning the lead to home team (20-16).

Charles City regained possession of the ball in the fourth quarter and pounded the ball through the run game, resulting in a Jaquane Wyatt touchdown score and a 28-16 lead early in the quarter.

But the ensuing kickoff turned disastrous as Taylor scooped up a squib kick and found the sideline for a 68-yard return, slicing the deficit for the guests 28-23.

Charles City thwarted Cumberland’s next possession and took over deep in its own territory with 5:40 in the game. After two runs were stuffed, the reverse play was called, resulting in the aforementioned turnover that led to Cumberland taking the lead 31-23.

Charles City returned to the ground game, marching the ball down to the 30-yard line. On third and long, Khairi Wyatt launched a pass to McElroy that was deflected by Taylor. On fourth down, another attempt with the same duo sailed out of bounds, resulting in Cumberland escaping with the win.

A disappointed and frustrated Jones spoke on the outcome of the game.

“We can’t keep making those types of bonehead mistakes,” said the head coach, referring to the tackles and mental errors. “We had a lack of focus tonight and that was our downfall.”

Charles City (0-2) tough path continues as they host former district rival Sussex Central Friday night. Cumberland improves to 1-0 on the year.

Cumberland—- 0 16 0 15 ——— 31
Charles City—- 14 0 6 8 ——— 28
1st Quarter
CC (5:30)- K. Wyatt 3 yard run (pass fail) 6-0
CC (0:30)- McElroy 11 yard pass from K. Wyatt (K. Wyatt run) 14-0
2nd Quarter
CU (2:47) Samuels safety 14-2
CU (2:30)- Ford 31 yard run (Rose kick) 14-9
CU (0:25)- Taylor 82 yard pass from Rose (Rose kick) 16-14
3rd Quarter
CC (4:53)- Greene 2 yard run (run fail) 20-16
4th Quarter
CC (11:56)- J. Wyatt 2 yard run (Callahan recovery) 28-16
CU (11:31)- Taylor 68 yard kickoff return (Rose kick) 28-23
CU (5:01)- Ford 4 yard run (Ford run) 31-28

Rushing (attempts/yards)
CU- Ford 23/154, Rose 6/-10, Samuels 4/-4, Jones 2/5
CC- J. Wyatt 33/183, K. Wyatt 5/-15, Greene 8/58, Tyler 1/1, Crawley 1/-10
Passing (completions/attempts/yards)
CU- Rose 3/7/96, 1 TD
CC- K. Wyatt 8/20/160, 1 TD
Receiving (receptions/yards)
CU- Ford 1/14, Taylor 1/82, Burton 1/0
CC- Hicks 2/32, Greene 4/112, McElroy 2/25