Albemarle offense runs on Robinson

By Bart Isley and Liz Keller
Published: September 15, 2008

A big reason for Albemarle’s success in its 35-13 win over Western Albemarle was the play of senior quarterback Jeremy Robinson.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder gave the Warriors fits, throwing for four touchdowns in the win. Robinson hooked up with six different receivers on the night, and finished 16 of 28 for 236 yards. He also carried the ball nine times for 36 yards.

Besides his usual favorite targets — Jordan Hill (4 catches, 41 yards, TD) and Zach Vrhovac (3 catches, 50 yards, TD) — Robinson also connected with Ty Molinaro (four catches, 60 yards, TD) and Andrew Frazier (three catches, 52 yards, TD).

“He gives you a lot of trouble because he can run,” Western Albemarle coach Ed Pierce said of Robinson. “He rolls out so well and throws on the run so well. He’s got great receivers and is a really talented kid, and obviously well-coached. When you meet a Rick Vrhovac team, you know you’re playing a team that’s extremely well-coached and they all did a great job.”

Too many yellow flags

About the only blemish on Albemarle’s performance against Western Albemarle was the penalties it racked up. The Patriots accumulated around 150 yards in penalties, and although it didn’t affect the outcome of the game, Albemarle coach Rick Vrhovac knows it’s something his team needs to improve on.

One of those penalties included a

72-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Robinson to Jordan Hill that was called back because of holding. It marked the second straight week that Hill has had a 50-plus yard reception called back.

“When we got a short field we couldn’t convert. Twice we had first downs inside the 20 and we came away with no points. Poor execution, penalties and hard play by Western [was the difference],” said Vrhovac. “Physically we wore them down, but for the first 24 minutes they played an extremely aggressive and tough game. We just have to correct our mistakes — we had so many penalties.”

Defense up to par

The final score didn’t reflect it, but Western Albemarle hung with Albemarle during the first half last week. The Warriors trailed just 14-7 at halftime in large part because of the play of the defense.

With the game tied at 7-7 in the first quarter, Western put together a strong defensive series, led by Mitchell Parks, as Albemarle’s second drive stalled. Parks sacked Robinson and was able to get pressure on him several other times during the drive. Parks, a 5-foot-7, 160-pound sophomore, was in on eight tackles, including several for a loss.

“We’re really pleased with the fact that our kids just didn’t quit. They were worn out, they were exhausted, we had a bunch of kids that just couldn’t play any more,” said Pierce. “We’re not deep and we’re not big, but they didn’t quit.”

Mustangs’ man of the hour

So much for Monticello’s football team missing offensive playmakers Takeem Hedgeman and Daniel Lieb this season. Now opposing defenses have another face to be worried about — Jacob Pelton — who has put up some gaudy numbers recently.

Through the Mustangs’ first two games, Pelton has 10 catches for 228 yards and four touchdowns.

In Monticello’s 33-13 win over King George, Pelton had five receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Oh yeah, and he can play defense too. In the team’s season-opening win over Albemarle, Pelton came up with a fourth-quarter interception to help secure the victory.

Colberg an Army Iron Man nominee

Covenant’s Andy Colberg is one of six nominees for this week’s Army Iron Man award, which honors the best two-way high school football player in Virginia.

In the Eagles’ 70-0 win over Kettle Run, Colberg, a senior, rushed for two touchdowns, had a punt return for a TD and scored on an electrifying 99-yard interception return.

Last year he racked up 512 rushing and receiving yards and had seven interceptions.

Monticello’s Jacob Pelton was a nominee for the award last week.

Fans can vote online for the winner, which will be announced Friday morning. Go to http://www.dailyprogress.com and the Preps Plus blog for more details on how to vote.

Luster sparks Tigers

When Woodberry Forest coach Clint Alexander filed his preseason form this year, he listed one newcomer he knew would have an impact.

After a long list of All-Prep League and All-State honorees returning to the program this season was one freshman — tailback/linebacker Jason Luster. But with running back Ed Reynolds and quarterback Chase Boyer back in the Woodberry backfield, there didn’t seem like there’d be a lot of carries available for Luster, at least on paper.

Woodberry’s 55-7 win in its season opener solved that. Luster torched Virginia Episcopal for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just six carries. The highlight of Luster’s day was a 65-yard sprint for a score in the first quarter. Reynolds had an impact too with 49 yards on three carries and a 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Junior Ade Oyalowo also put together a big day for the Tigers with two touchdown runs and a 14-yard interception return for a score.

Luster is big for a freshman at 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, and he’s strong too with four power-lifting titles and five wrestling championships to his name. Apparently he’d destined for big things on the gridiron as well.

Goochland turns it on

Fluvanna appeared primed to get a major win over Goochland Friday, with the Flucos posting a victory in their season opener and Goochland sputtering into the matchup at 0-2 after snapping a 33-game regular season win streak in the Bulldogs’ season opener.

But few would have expected Goochland to explode offensively like the Bulldogs did, particularly not the spectators at the Bulldogs’ games against Benedictine and Colonial Beach.

“Things were finally clicking the way we expect them to click,” said Goochland coach Joe Fowler. “Considering our first two games, that would shock the people who watched the first two games.”

Goochland rushed for 344 yards at an average of almost 7.5 yards per carry out of the Wing-T, steamrolling the Fluvanna defense up front en route to the victory.

Fluvanna will try and bounce back against Buckingham County this Friday.

Fork Union finds three-headed rushing attack

FUMA hit the ground running Friday night against Hargrave. A trio of running backs carried the load for the Cadets in the 37-19 victory.

Nathan Lundberg led the way with 123 yards on 10 carries. Louis Litkett also crossed the 100-yard with a 106-yard outing, also on 10 carries, while Ethan Taylor chipped in 68 yards on seven carries.

As a team, Fork Union has 323 yards on 34 carries and passed just four times during the win.