By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
There was never any doubt. Playing before a large and enthusiastic home crowd, the Fluvanna High football team won its third straight game decisively. The Flucos won the coin toss before the game and elected to receive. Senior wide receiver Tramayne Minor had a strong kick return bringing the ball out to the Fluco 43-yard line. Eight running plays were all the Flucos needed for their first touchdown. Senior running back Matthew Rea took it in from the 12 and junior kicker Dawson Raines converted his first of six successful PAT tries, for a 7-0 lead, with 7:18 remaining in the quarter.
The Fluco defense forced a three and out and the Fluco’s second drive took up almost all the rest of the quarter. On this drive most of yards were again gained on the ground. Junior running back Kevin Jordan picked up most of the yardage. The drive culminated with Jordan gaining nine yards from the 17 and then eight for the touchdown. Raines made it 14-0.
As the first quarter expired, Orange had its only highlight of the half. A lateral on an end around was fumbled and kicked backward. An Orange running back finally picked it up about ten yards behind the line of scrimmage After dodging tacklers right and left, he broke free for what looked like a spectacular 65 yard touchdown run, but an illegal block brought the ball back. The first quarter ended 14-0.
The Hornets were forced to punt and the Flucos marched 85 yards for their third touchdown and used up most of the clock in the process. Rea punched it into the end zone from four yards out, the PAT made it 21-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Flucos executed a pooch type onside kick perfectly to get the ball. This is short high kick over the first line of blockers. The kick was recovered at the Orange 38 by Fluco junior linebacker Keen Dickerson. With Rea doing most of the work the Flucos scored their fourth touchdown of the night when senior quarterback Will Lambert ran it in with 0:11 left in the half. Accordingly, the Flucos took a 28-0 lead into the second half.
The Hornets started the second half on offence but went three and out and punted. The Flucos again ran the ball for a couple first downs, but were confronted by a fourth down and three near mid-field. Jordan plowed forward behind strong blocking for five yards and a first-down. A holding penalty set the Flucos back to the Orange 49. Behind excellent blocking, Jordan broke into the open and out sprinted the Hornet defenders for a long touchdown run. The score at the end of the third period was 35-0.
The fourth quarter started with a good punt return by Fluco senior running back Sam Loving. The Flucos started the quarter at the Orange 44. A couple runs and a face mask penalty on the Hornets put the ball on the Orange 12 yard line. Lambert ran the ball to the two and Loving scored the sixth Fluco touchdown. With less than a minute on the clock the Flucos lost their shutout, as the Hornets scored and converted a two point extra point. The final score was 42-8.
The Fluco offence was almost entirely on the ground. The Fluco running backs were able to plow forward for six-, seven- and eight-yard gains behind an overpowering offensive line. Coach Mitchell Pace cited his offensive line of Hayden Marchant, Tyler Goode, Jake Heatwole, Braddock Morris and Conner Peterson for their outstanding play. Marchant is a senior, the other four are juniors.
The Flucos now host Charlottesville on Oct. 24 for their homecoming game. On Oct. 31 they travel to Goochland County. The final game of the regular season is Nov.7, when Albemarle High comes to Fluvanna for Senior Night.
