If the Prince Edward County High School football team didn't have enough to worry about in its season-opener, the Eagles were also among the invited guests for the opening of Fluvanna High School's new football stadium.

They gave the Flucos a nice housewarming gift – a 43-14 victory to the hosts.

“They took us behind the woodshed and let us have it,” said PECHS head coach James Ford. “It was a combination of we weren't prepared, and they are vastly improved.”

All the pregame hype and festivities didn't seem to distract the Flucos, who took advantage of a bad snap on the first play of the game, and scored on the second.

Prince Edward settled down on its next drive, and converted a couple of first downs, before having to punt. Despite getting the ball on their own five yard line, the Flucos marched down the field in a time-consuming drive that took Prince Edward out of the game.

“You could start to see our heads drop,” said Ford. “When that happens, bad mistake after bad mistake starts to happen. We couldn't stop the bleeding.”

Fluvanna led 30-0 at the end of the half, and pushed it to a 43-0 lead in the fourth quarter before the Eagles scored twice late in the game.

The first, was on a 21-yard pass from back-up quarterback Tiquan Easter to receiver Cleon Watkins. Milton Monk stripped the quarterback of the ball on the ensuing drive, and ran 40-yards for PE's second score.

“He was going in to make the sack,” said Ford, “and as he's grabbing him, Milton realized he had the ball.”

“We were overwhelmed. Their new school, the field turf, the parachuter who brought in the game ball. It really is a nice place, and I think it left us a little wide-eyed to start. Once we made that first mistake, they got after us and never let go.”

Prince Edward ran only 35 offensive plays on the night. The Eagles committed four turnovers (two bad snaps, an interception and a fumble).

Starting quarterback Davon Adams was 4-12 passing for 56 yards and an interception.

Jakeem Eddins led the Eagles on the ground with 36 yards on eight rushes. Adams had 25 yards on eight carries (factoring in sack yardage). Easter was 2-2 passing for 56 yards.

Defensively, Prince Edward was led by Isaiah Davis, who had 13 tackles (nine solo). Monk had seven total tackles, while AJ Watkins had five tackles in the first half, before leaving the game with an injury. Cleon Watkins had four pass break-ups.

Prince Edward will host Cumberland on Friday night in the Eagles' home opener, and Cumberland's season-opener.

“They're athletic,” said Ford of the Dukes. “On defense, we've got to make sure we don't let their athletes get into open space, and offensively we've got to stick to our game plan.

“We have to be sure we dictate the tempo by running the ball and taking advantage of anything they are willing to give us in our passing game.

“When we get a chance to score, we've got to take those opportunities. Last year, we had a lead at the half, but it didn't feel like it, because we turned the ball over too many times. We did it enough that after they made the necessary adjustments they were able get the win.”

The game time for all of Prince Edward's non-district home games this year is 7:30 p.m.