Knights defeat Barons, 28-7
Published 1:55 pm Wednesday, October 24, 2018
- Buckingham County High School sophomore defensive back Xavier Copeland, No. 1, and junior linebacker Walter Edwards, No. 20, bring down a ball carrier for host Bluestone High School on Friday. Edwards and Copeland were difference-makers on both sides of the ball, fueling the Knights’ 28-7 victory. (Photo by Lyla Wood)
Buckingham County High School’s varsity football team produced an outstanding performance Friday night that resulted in a 28-7 road win over Bluestone High School, improving the Knights’ overall record to 3-4 this season.
“I think we played a good game — both sides of the ball,” Buckingham Head Coach Seth Wilkerson said. “Going to the game, I knew we were prepared.”
He noted that on about the third play of the game, Knights junior running back Walter Edward broke away for an approximately 70-yard touchdown run.
“I think on offense, we were able to move the ball and keep it a little while,” Wilkerson said, adding that the offensive line is coming together, with the linemen demonstrating improved understandings of their roles. “I think they played a good game up front.”
Their hard work helped make possible Buckingham’s potent run game, led by Edwards, who ran 12 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman running back Dalante Woodson gained 79 yards and a score on 12 carries.
The Knights offense also generated a rare passing touchdown, as sophomore quarterback Cameron Taylor connected with sophomore wide receiver Xavier Copeland for a nine-yard score.
Taylor has become a familiar presence at quarterback for Buckingham with sophomore Gerry Toney having been sidelined by injury for most of the season.
“He’s doing a good job,” Wilkerson said of Taylor. “He knows the offense well.”
Longtime fans are also now seeing a Knights defense that they know well.
“I think the defense is getting back to where it used to be …” Wilkerson said, referring to the many playoff years the Knights enjoyed under Head Coach Craig Gill when Wilkerson served solely as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Edward, also a linebacker, recorded 10 total tackles Friday, including three tackles for a loss. Copeland, also a defensive back, had nine tackles. Senior linebacker Quantarius Stanton registered six tackles, including three for a loss and two sacks.
Buckingham avoided any major injuries, putting itself in the best position possible entering The Battle of Route 60, which it hosted Tuesday, a compressed schedule made necessary by the recent impact of Tropical Storm Michael.
“We’ve got to just make that turnaround quick and get ready for Cumberland,” Wilkerson said Monday.
