By Greg Taylor
Contributing Writer

The Monticello Mustangs travelled to Powhatan riding high with two wins over Group AAA opponents and looking to exact revenge for last year’s embarrassing 56-6 loss at home to the Indians. Instead, Monticello struggled offensively, turning the ball over four times, which the Indians converted into 28 points as Powhatan cruised to a 37-0 lead before winning 44-20.

There are two story lines regarding this game. The first was the play of the defense against a team that was an offensive juggernaut coming into the contest. The second was the turnaround of the offense, which struggled at times last week at Midlothian and in their preseason scrimmages.

Regarding Powhatan’s first team defense, the players did a phenomenal job against Monticello’s offense. Through almost three full quarters, the defense limited Monticello to 27 yards rushing on 21 carries while slowing down the passing attack with a strong pass rush, which forced a combined 5-12 passing for 59 yards and 2 interceptions from both Mustang quarterbacks.
The defensive pressure was so consistent in the backfield that when Monticello fumbled or there was a poor snap, a Powhatan player was there to scoop it up - Bobby Oglesby and Zach Mahone both recovered fumbles in the Mustangs’ backfield.

“We had to get after them. I think we played good defense on them. The best defense we have played in a long time,” said starting defensive end and team captain Jay Jackson. 
Meanwhile, the offense was the polar opposite of last week. Powhatan’s quarterback, Kurt Taylor, had enough time in the pocket to have read War and Peace before throwing the ball. The offensive line, which had to be revamped due to an injury, did not allow pressure on the quarterback all night. As a result, Taylor finished with an outstanding performance, going 11-14 for 153 yards and two touchdowns, a 42-yarder to Josh Ingram and a 12-yarder to Phil Schoeffel.

“We’re familiar with our pass routes. I can drop back and know where everyone will be. The offensive linemen stepped up, and I felt really comfortable back there,” Taylor said after the game.
Besides the improved pass protection, the offensive line continued to open holes for five different running backs to burst through as they ran for 181 yards on 36 carries. Ray Brown had two scores while Kyle Miller scored on a six-yard lateral and junior Trevon Taylor scored on a one yard run late in the fourth quarter.

The turning point in the game came late in the second quarter. After Schoeffel intercepted a Mustangs’ pass at the Powhatan six yard line, the offense engineered a 15-play, 7:11 drive that covered 94 yards and ended in Brown scoring from 7 yards out for a 16-0 lead. That drive coupled with Taylor hitting Schoeffel with 26 seconds left in the half for a 23-0 lead demoralized Monticello heading into halftime.

The battle for field position resulted from an aggressive defense and the leg of Tyler Atkinson, who consistently put the ball into the end zone on kickoffs for a touchback.  Atkinson and John Malcolm, who made a 35-yard field goal in the first half, were instrumental in preserving the win.

The final score was a bit misleading: Monticello continued to play its first team against Powhatan’s second team once the score reached 37-0, which resulted in three touchdowns for Monticello’s starting running back Jesse Ayers on runs of 81, 3 and 1 yards.

Monticello (2-1) will have to wait until 2011 when Powhatan (2-0) becomes a member of the Jefferson District in Region II to have another shot a the Indians. 
For now, Powhatan will focus on moving forward towards another Region I title; the next step is a game against the Caroline Cavaliers on Friday in Caroline County. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.