The Flucos turned the ball over on their first play twice in the second quarter. As a result, the Colonels from the Roanoke area dominated time of possession in the first half and led by 19-0 at intermission.
In the second half, the Flucos played some strong defense and turned the tables on the Colonels by forcing two turnovers that they converted into touchdowns. Senior quarterback Austin Foster and junior running back Luke Norcross scored the Fluco touchdowns on short runs. Unfortunately William Fleming also managed to score twice to keep the game out of reach. The Colonels scored on a punt return and a long, perfectly executed, pass play.
The game opened with William Fleming taking the kick-off and generating a long time consuming drive. The Flucos managed to intercept a pass deep in their own territory to halt the Colonels progress, but only four minutes were left in the quarter. The Flucos managed two first downs with senior quarterback Austin Foster at the helm, but were ultimately force to punt. With only seconds remaining in the quarter, the Colonels center made a bad low snap and the ball bounced past the quarterback. However, he scooped the ball up, scrambled away from the Fluco rushers, and found an open receiver for the game’s first touchdown. The extra point attempt failed and the Colonels led 6-0 after a quarter.
The Flucos went three and out to start the second quarter and William Fleming took over after a Fluco punt and marched down the field for a second score. Their two point extra point attempt failed and the score was 12-0 with 7:16 left in the half. The Flucos then turned the ball over on their first play from scrimmage on the next two possessions. The Colonels took advantage of the second turnover, scoring with 2:03 left in the half to take a decisive 19-0 lead to the locker room.
The Flucos started the second half with the ball. Foster threw to senior running back Taquan Lewis and William Fleming was flagged for interference, moving the ball out to the 46 yard line. Unfortunately the Flucos stalled and had to punt. The punt returner was hit right away, but managed to break free and, running against the grain, he broke through the line of punt coverage and went all the way for a 60 yard return. The Flucos were down 25-0.
The Fluco defense in the second half was very strong, and on the next William Fleming possession, Fluco senior cornerback Goddience Flannigan stepped in to the passing lane for an interception that he returned to the Colonels 12 yard line. Foster immediately hit senior wide receiver, Jesse Vandyke with a sideline pass to the one. Foster scored on a quarterback sneak and, sophomore kicker Marcus Ditta converted the extra point for a 25-7 score.
Coach Jason Barnett then called for an onside kick, and it worked. The Flucos took over at the William Fleming 38 yard line. Foster threw for a first down to the 25, but the Flucos again turned it over with a fumble. Two Colonel running plays lost 5 yards, but on third and long, the Colonels struck with a perfectly executed long pass down the sideline for a clinching touchdown. In the fourth quarter the Colonels were plagued by a series of bad snaps. They were forced to punt, and a final very bad snap sailed over the punter’s head and was recovered by the Flucos at the Colonels’ five yard line.
A pass interference penalty in the end zone put the Flucos on the one yard line, and Luke Norcross took it in with 6:08 left in the game. The PAT failed and the final score was 32-13.
After the game Coach Jason Barnett noted that his players are working hard to turn things around, but he noted that they still need to understand their abilities and limitations. He pointed out that his offense had trouble establishing any tempo due to the turnovers. He complimented defensive tackle Deiondre Key for being an intimidating presence in the middle of the line. Barnett attributed the Colonels snapping problems to Key’s dominance. Senior linebacker Jesse Lokits also was strong on defense coming up with several key plays in the second half.
The Flucos will now travel to Spotsylvania for another non-Jefferson district contest on Sept. 6. They will have a week off after that game, and will then host Culpeper County High at Phil Browning Field on Sept. 20. The game time will be 7:30. On Sept. 27, the Flucos begin their Jefferson District schedule, hosting Albemarle High School.
