Mustangs trump Orange with big second half

By Liz Keller

Published: September 26, 2008

Defense and special teams made all the difference in Monticello’s win over Orange County on a rainy Friday night.

Junior Khiry Washington had a punt return for a touchdown and two interceptions in the second half to help the Mustangs secure a 44-13 victory over the Hornets in their Jefferson District opener, in a game that was delayed for an hour because of lightning.

Monticello’s offense, piloted by quarterback Michael Graham, wasn’t too shabby, either.

Graham threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as he racked up 263 yards of total offense.

But the play of the game came with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter.

Orange cut Monticello’s lead to 10 points (23-13) after scoring on its opening drive of the second half. However, the Mustangs clamped down on defense, forcing the visitors to go 3-and-out on their following possession. On the ensuing punt, Washington found room to run, and streaked down the sideline for a 54-yard return to open up a 29-13 advantage.

“It was a total team effort between the offense and defense and special teams,” said Monticello coach Brud Bicknell. “A lot of different players rose to the occasion and did their jobs. If there was ever a team win, this was it.”

It didn’t take long for Washington to come up with another big play. On Orange’s next drive, he intercepted Quintin Hunter’s pass to set up another touchdown.

“[Washington] had a couple of momentum-changers. We’ve been preaching to him a long time to just do his job, and things will come to you,” Bicknell said. “By doing his job tonight, he was able to make those big plays.”

After the interception, it took just three plays for the Mustangs to score, as Graham dodged defenders for a 35-yard jaunt. The senior paced the ground game with 82 yards on 14 carries.

With 5:44 to play, Washington came up with another pick, and returned it 39 yards before being pulled down at the 13 yard line.

Monticello eventually scored, as Ryan Mullaney found the end zone from six yards out.

Orange, which was hampered by numerous penalties and mistakes, never recovered.

“When you make mistakes against a good football team like that, you can’t win,” said Orange coach John Kayajanian. “Good teams capitalize on that, and that’s what happened tonight.”

Hunter, a University of Virginia commit, rushed for 123 yards and threw for 96 more, but didn’t have much support. The senior quarterback hooked up with Amir Waller for a 61-yard touchdown pass in the first half, but didn’t have much success in the air after that.

“They took away our weapons,” Kayajanian said. “And Quintin’s going to get his yards rushing, but they did a good job matching up on our receivers, and it made it tough for us.”

Monticello has another tough district matchup next Friday against Louisa, while Orange will face non-district foe James Monroe.