Looking for a win

Mark O'Connell, Sports Correspondent
Published: October 16, 2008

How many times this season have second-quarter debacles led to lopsided losses for Culpeper’s football team? Counting last week’s fatal sting inflicted by the Yellow Jackets of Osbourn Park, six to be exact.

“In every game we’ve gotten destroyed in the second quarter,” Blue Devils coach Greg Martz said. “Second quarters have swallowed us in quicksand. There’s a whole laundry list of what’s gone wrong.”

Perhaps the Blue Devils can take solace in knowing that tonight they host an opponent with identical numbers. Both Culpeper and Loudoun Valley are 0-6 overall and 0-3 in the Cedar Run District. Considering the records, and the fact that Loudoun Valley is just one of two teams that Culpeper defeated a year ago, the Blue Devils are counting on tonight to be the night they break into the win column.

and young head coach and a program that’s been down for the last couple of seasons.”

Just past the midway point of the season, Martz continues to employ change. Last week, Matt Bennett played at center but, after having sprained some fingers this week in practice, is considered questionable at the position tonight. Should Bennett not play at center, Martz will insert Chris Woodward.

Steve Dodson, after switching positions with John Lezcano for two games, returned to quarterback in the second half against C.D. Hylton and then went the distance at the position against Osbourn Park. He starts again tonight with Lezcano getting some reps as well.

The double tight end set with Charles Nicholson and Joe Hoffman worked well last week and Martz will stick with the look.

“We had better production with our passing game because of it,” he said. “It gives us some match-up and numbers advantages.”

Adam Mitchell is also listed as out due to a concussion and his absence has forced Martz to reconsider the kicking game. Phillip Reynolds can handle the punting duties while Martz will look to Nolan Jenkins, Cortez Rollins and Bennett to handle the place kicking.

Martz’ plan for success tonight comes down to the basics.

“On offense we have to run the ball and complete our short-passing game,” he said.

“Our special teams play is huge. Loudoun Valley loves blocking punts. Their offense poses more of a danger to us when they run the ball but their backs are more north/south. They’ll look to pound it straight ahead.”

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Loudoun Valley
at Culpeper
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
at Broman Field

Other Area Games
Clarke County at Madison
The Mountaineers can take the lead in the Bull Run District if they bounce back from the loss at Eastern View.
Charlottesville at Orange
The Hornets pounded William Monroe last week and have an opportunity to pick up another Jefferson District   victory against the Black Knights
Liberty at Osbourn Park
The Eagles lost a game in the Cedar Run standings last week when Battlefield knocked them off. Tonight they can get back on track at Osbourn Park.
Stonewall at Fauquier
The Falcons suffered their first loss of the season last week, but should be able to get back in the win column against a struggling Raiders squad.