The Cumberland High School varsity football team hosted several teams last Friday night in a jamboree-style scrimmage, and despite some lean years in the win column recently, new head coach Ed Knapp appears to have energized the Cumberland fanbase.

With a huge crowd there to watch, Cumberland took a turn facing off against Kenston Forest, Mathews and Parry McCluer.

The Dukes ran a wishbone look on offense throughout the scrimmage and mostly kept the ball on the ground as they took turns pounding the ball with guys like senior fullback Darius Jackson, who brings size (240 pounds) to the position.

Jackson had plenty of holes to run through along with his backfield teammates like Nakeem Bland, who ripped off long runs on several occasions behind 6-foot-9, 310-pound offensive lineman TJ Jackson, as well as Jaylen Gilliam and the other lineman.

On defense, Ahmad Brooks would pick off a pass early in the contest as the Dukes’ aggressive four-man front defense kept opponents off the scoreboard.

In the first round of plays Cumberland clearly outplayed Mathews, scoring on several occasions and keeping their opponent off the scoreboard. The Dukes would then take on Kenston Forest and score twice within the first few plays. Knapp and his coaches would have plenty of work for everyone, while the first and second team defense kept the Kavaliers out of the end zone. The matchup with Parry McCluer was a little more even for both teams, but the Dukes clearly had the more athletic and faster team during the final scrimmage series.

Look for more coverage and in-depth information on the new Cumberland head man as well as expectations for the season next week in The Farmville Herald.