After defeating Prince Edward 55-6 and winning the James River District championship, the Buckingham County High School Knights advance to the Virginia High School League Class 2A West playoffs.

The Knights, 9-1, finished fifth in the VHSL 2A West Region standings and will host the Martinsville Bulldogs, 4-6, at 7 p.m. Friday. Martinsville finished 12th in the region standings.

The Knights took no mercy on Prince Edward Friday night, scoring 48 points in the first half alone. B.J. Gough led Buckingham’s offense with two touchdowns in the half on 11- and 17-yard runs. He also threw two touchdowns, a 20-yard pass to Hunter Edwards and a 31-yard pass to Michael Mabry.

“We knew that we had to beat Prince Edward to win the JRD championship. We did a great job shutting (Delquan) Bigelow down, even though he is one of the best backs we will see all year,” said Buckingham head football coach Craig Gill. “The young men executed well and we stayed focused.”

Edwards scored on a 28-yard run in the first half, and Leon Ragland added a 5-yard touchdown run. Rajheem Holman finished the first-half scoring with a 10-yard run.

Daniel Brickhill contributed will a 2-yard run in the third quarter to end the scoring.

Prince Edward’s only score was a 63-yard run by Delquan Bigelow in the third quarter.

“Buckingham really played well and was able to beat us up front, and that allowed them to control the game,” said Prince Edward head coach James Ford. “This season did not end the way that we were hoping …, but we were able to accomplish goals that were set out as a team. Unfortunately, it was not the ultimate goal of reaching the playoffs and getting the first playoff win in school history.”

Gough finished with four carries for 69 yards. He also went 2-for-2 passing for 51 yards and had 7.5 tackles on defense. Edwards had four carries for 98 yards, Holman had eight carries for 71 yards, and Ragland had five carries for 39 yards.

Baird went 5-for-7 in extra points.

Bigelow led the Eagles offensively with 19 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown. Aneal Walker had four carries for 30 yards and Khalil Smith had a catch for 45 yards.

Prince Edward’s defense was led by Markeem Trent and Brandon McKay, who each had seven tackles. D’Andre Bowler had six tackles, while Rajai Walton and Arthur Wright had five apiece.

“Again, they are a really good football team and very well coached, and I wish them, along with other James River District teams good luck in the playoffs,” Ford said.

The Eagles finished 3-7, failing to qualify for the VHSL 2A Region East playoffs.

Buckingham turns its attention to the playoffs and the first of four rounds leading up to the state finals. If the Knights win on Friday, they will also host their second-round playoff game.

“We have a tough road ahead of us and we have to bring our A-game,” Gill said. “We have been told that Martinsville will hit you hard and we know that this game will not be a cakewalk.”