The Fuqua School varsity football team went to Isle of Wight Academy prepared on Friday, and the fruit of its preparation showed on the scoreboard. The Falcons led 38-7 midway through the third quarter and ended up winning 41-21 to improve to 4-0 on the season.

“Our kids came out with an extreme focus I’ve never seen,” Fuqua Head Coach Ben Manis said, noting they took a college-type approach to the contest in terms of mental preparation. “I think that’s what made a big difference for us.”

With the victory, the Falcons avenged a 55-7 loss last season to the Chargers, who were 3-1 entering the game this season, with a No. 3 ranking in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Division II state ratings. Fuqua is ranked No. 1 in VISAA Division III.

“Their defensive line was just so-so, and we very much took advantage of that,” Manis said of the Chargers.

The Falcons generated 532 yards of total offense, with 423 yards coming on the ground.

Senior Ed Newman had 10 carries for 162 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown. Junior Ben Bailey had 17 carries for 126 yards, including a 57-yard score. Senior Devin Allen gained 103 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

Junior Nick Fariss hit field goals of 32 and 30 yards, along with five extra points, while forcing touchbacks several times on kickoffs.

Allen went 5-for-12 passing for 109 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown pass to Newman.

“That touchdown pass to Ed was underthrown, and actually, the (Donald) King kid intercepted it, and Ed ripped it out of his hands in the end zone going into halftime,” Manis said.

The Falcons defense, which forced four fumbles and recovered three, contained King, who was Isle of Wight’s chief offensive threat.

Junior Billy French led Fuqua with eight solo tackles, adding seven assists, half a sack and a forced fumble.

On Friday, Fuqua visits Roanoke Catholic School, which defeated the Falcons in the 2014 VISAA Division IV state championship game.