Amherst tops C-ville 42-6

By Laura Clark

Published: September 3, 2008

Amherst bounced back from its opening loss to Brookville with a 42-6 win over Charlottesville on Aug. 29.

Mario Vaughan’s 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown got the team going, and defense came out in the first series and set the tone, coach Cecil Phillips said.

‘We’re putting together some packages that will take advantage of each individual’s talents.’
— coach Cecil Phillips, on using Anthony Rose and Kirby Anderson at quarterback

Charlottesville tried to trick Amherst up with its first play, a reverse pass, but the Lancers were all over it. The next two downs, Amherst stopped Charlottesville behind the line of scrimmage.

“We were able to disrupt his timing and keep him uncomfortable all night long,” Phillips said of Charlottesville quarterback Kevin Leatherwood.

After Vaughan, five different Lancers scored: Anthony Rose on a 6-yard run, Kirby Anderson on an 18-yard fumble return, Jamal Glover on an 18-yard run, Tyrease Brown on an 11-yard run, and Devonte Brown with a 23-yard run. Freshman kicker Tyler Dawson made all six of his extra point attempts.

“Our kids were very focused,” Phillips said. “We played much better. Charlottesville’s in a rebuilding stage, and has a new coach, too.”

He said the offensive line adjusted to Charlottesville’s defense, which had shown a 4-3 stack in scrimmages, but came out with about nine kids in the box. Rose started as the quarterback, playing one-and-a-half quarters. Kirby, a sophomore, came in and finished out the game. Rose rushed for 80 yards in the win. Kirby rushed for 14, and completed one 11-yard pass to Chris McDaniel. Rose had played the entire Brookville game, but the Lancers may use more of a dual quarterback system as the season continues.

“We’re putting together some packages that will take advantage of each individual’s talents,” Phillips said.

The Lancers have a bye this Friday. Phillips said the team will use this week’s practice to continue working on fundamental skills like tackling, blocking and taking care of the ball. He’ll give the team some small group challenges, like offense versus defense on the 10-yard line “to keep the competitive fire there,” he said.

Then the week of Sept. 8, Amherst will prepare to travel to George Washington in Danville on Sept. 12. Kickoff is 7:30.