By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Flying Fluco football team has not had a lot of success this season. However, on Oct. 8, they thoroughly dominated their rival from down Rt. 53, rushing the ball down the throat of the Monticello High squad for their second win of the year.
The Flucos utilized sophomore halfback Eisryell Johnson, senior full back Chase Paschall and junior quarterback Owen Leydig to pound out yardage, gaining first down after first down on the ground. Johnson, who is listed as 6-3 and 185 showed speed and power mostly on sweeps to the outside. Paschall at 5-9 and 185 is a straight ahead power runner and he had a number of 6, 7 and 8 yard gains. Leydig gained yardage on scrambles and sneaks, scoring twice from five yards out on quarterback sneaks.
After the game, Coach Michael Morris noted that his offensive line was extremely effective in making space for the running game. He praised the following linemen: center Matthew Banton, guards Grant Brown and Scott Fulton, tackles Jared Morris and Matthew Panas and tight end Austin Moore. Banton and Morris are juniors. The other four are seniors.
This game started with the Flucos making a slow sustained drive down the field without ever putting the ball in the air. The drive appeared to end on a short touchdown run by Leydig, but an offensive holding call nullified the touchdown and the Flucos were unable to push it in from the 13-yard line. The Mustangs took over on downs with only 3:22 left in the quarter. The Fluco drive had consumed more than eight and a half minutes. Monticello went three and out and punted. The quarter ended with no score.
On their second possession the Flucos were able to take the ball in for a touchdown. Leydig had a good gain on a roll-out and Johnson ripped off a big gain that ended with a horse-collar tackle. The ensuing penalty put the ball at the Monticello five-yard line. Leydig scored on a five-yard quarterback sneak. This play and a subsequent five-yard sneak for a touchdown demonstrate the strength and power of the Fluco offensive line. A quarterback sneak at the five is normally considered a success if it gets you halfway to a touchdown. The Fluco extra point try failed. Monticello responded quickly with a beautifully thrown 49-yard touchdown pass. They also failed to convert on the extra point try. The half time score was 6-6.
On the first possession of the second half, Monticello was forced to punt and Fluco junior wide receiver Addison Patchett made a good return to the Monticello 37-yard line. Two first downs later on two runs by Paschall, one by Johnson and one by Leydig the Flucos were at the five. Leydig took it in on a sneak. Leydig then completed a pass to junior wide receiver Jacob Seymore in the corner of the end zone for a two-point conversion, making the score 14-6. That was the score at the end of the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter started, the Flucos were threatening again. Johnson ran a sweep left and outraced the Mustang defenders for another Fluco touchdown. The extra point try failed and the Flucos led 20-6 with 10:16 left in the game. On their possession the Mustangs broke a runner loose and it looked like he was going all the way, but Fluco junior safety Andrew Sheridan made a touchdown saving play knocking the runner out of bounds. Monticello was then called for offensive holding and the Mustangs were forced to use up clock before pushing in a touchdown at 4:32. Their two-point conversion try was good and the score was 20-14. A 42-yard run by Pascall was the highlight of the Flucos’ final drive. It ended with Johnson scoring again on a sweep to the left. Leydig ran in the two-point conversion for a 28-14 lead with only thirty -nine seconds remaining. The Mustangs got in one last jab however, as they returned the kick-off for a touchdown. The game ended after the Flucos recovered the Mustangs’ on-side kick.
The Flucos have tough remaining schedule. On Oct. 15 they are at Orange. On Oct.22, they have their homecoming game against Western Albemarle. On Oct. 29, they travel to Charlottesville and on Nov. 5 they host Albemarle.
Please see the following announcement made by the Board of Directors President, Larry Henson of Lake Monticello Owners’ Association today on October 7, 2021.
