Amherst prepares for JF rematch

By Laura Clark

Published: November 19, 2008

Amherst faces a familiar foe in Jefferson Forest for the Division 4, Region III championship game Nov. 21 at Lancer Stadium.

As district rivals, the two met in the regular season. Amherst defeated the Cavaliers 35-6 at home on Oct. 10. Since that loss, Cavalier coach Don Rice said his team has turned around.

“I think we’ve been - since the Amherst game - building momentum,” Rice said. “I think after that loss, the seniors focused the team. We just had to deal with coaching, and they deal with everything else.”

Rice said the seniors took the lead in making sure the team worked hard in practice and executed in games. Jefferson Forest (9-3) hasn’t lost since the Oct. 10 game. On Nov. 14, the Cavaliers defeated Turner Ashby 22-21 in overtime.

Some of the senior leaders include kicker Josh Storm, who hit the winning extra point and made a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter. Tailback Desmond Goode added 205 yards against Turner Ashby for 1,467 rushing yards this season. He scored two touchdowns. Fullback Tyler Rosser and tight end Dustin Engledove also contributed on the offensive side.

“After the overtime win, I think it just proved to the team that no matter the obstacles, they can get it done,” Rice said.

He added that winning on the road at Turner Ashby gives them confidence to come into Lancer Stadium. The Cavalier game plan includes containing big plays on the defensive side while moving the ball better than in the regular season loss on offense.

“We’ve got to block better. You’re not going to stop their blitz, especially with (A.J.) Parrish in the middle,” said Rice, who called the Lancer defense the best in the state.

He’s also looking to protect the football more, as the Cavaliers had one fumble for a loss and two passes intercepted against Turner Ashby. Amherst, too, can have trouble holding onto the ball.

“It boils down to the turnover ratio,” Rice said, “And without turnovers, Amherst is probably undefeated. Every possession you have is worth a whole lot.”

Turnovers equal momentum swings, as Amherst was able to capitalize against Harrisonburg Nov. 14. But so did the Blue Streaks after the Lancers gave them the ball back on a muffed punt.

“I give our defense credit, they fought down basically to the last yard line,” Lancers coach Cecil Phillips said. “It tested our character again.”

Phillips said a close and physical Harrisonburg game helped shake up the team’s mentality. The players understand that as the defending back-to-back Group AA, Division 4 state champions, everyone is looking to knock them off.

“I’m extremely proud of them, to be honest,” he said. “We battled back twice. We beat a really good football team.”

And Phillips knows the Cavaliers are on top of their game, too. They’ll be bringing a strong running game with Goode and fellow tailback Rashad Hall, plus senior Brandon Harrison occasionally comes in at quarterback and can throw or run. He and starter Hunter Hannell will be looking for receivers like Colby Rhodes or Mark Carter as well as Engledove.

“We’ve got to tackle better,” Phillips said. “We’ve got to take better angles. (Goode and Hall), they’re very good cutback runners. If we’re over pursuing, they’ve got the cutback landing and it could be a big play for them.

“Offensively, we’ve got to stay on our blocks longer as well, and get a little bit better position on our blocks. Their front eight are about as good as anybody around.”

The Lancers rely on the offensive line for busting big plays on the run. Amherst will also throw in some passing, either with Anthony Rose at quarterback or Kirby Anderson.

With the return of tight end Taylor Grubbs, who was out last week with an ankle injury, plus Mario Vaughan and Chris McDaniel as receivers, the Lancers are confident in putting in some play-action passing.

The Cavaliers defense is led by Rosser, a first team all-district linebacker. Other threats include Jeff Brown, Tommy Neal and Ryan Glavas.

Although the two teams met just over a month ago, Phillips said he’s emphasizing that it’s another big game, and preparations will actually be tougher because the two know each other well.

“They’re playing very good football right now,” Phillips said. “We’re going to have to be prepared in all phases of the game, and we’re going to have to be prepared to play for all 48 minutes.”