Defense Lifts JM Past Kettle Run in State Semis

Defenses usually don’t appreciate it when the opposing offense is set up with a short field. But to James Monroe linebacker Daniel Armstead, red zone defense is as simple as knowing he can trust his teammates lining up beside him.

The Jackets relied on that trust, along with sound gap discipline to shut out the Kettle Run offense in the second half and eke out a 14-7 victory in the VHSL D-3 state semifinal game Saturday in Nokesville.

Standing in the shadow of his own goalpost, twice, Armstead says there was no panic in the Jayem huddle. 

"Everyone was just saying 'I got your back,'" said Armstead. "I'll do my job, you do your job and we'll clean this up somehow."

James Monroe's defense picked up the slack for an uncharacteristically poor showing on the offensive side of the ball, something Coach Serbay credited more to the play of Kettle Run's defense rather than poor execution on his team's part.

"I think Kettle Run’s defense is so good," said Serbay. "We might have had fumbles but they caused the fumbles. We may have had turnovers, but they forced those turnovers. I’ve known Jeff Lloyd for a long time and I knew those guys would be prepared."

Keeping the Cougars out of the endzone was no short order, either. A plethora of miscues and general offensive ineffectiveness allowed Kettle Run to hover within one score until the very final play of the game - a jump ball in the end zone. 

Offensively, James Monroe deviated from its usual script as quarterback Demontaz Brown attempted 27 passes, finishing 11-of-27 for 208 yards.

The first two drives of the game proved to be the exception rather than the rule, with both teams marching down the field with relative ease.

The Jackets plowed 63 yards on their first drive, punctuated by Eric Nelson’s 1-yard scoring lunge with 7:38 remaining in the first quarter.

The Cougars quickly responded, driving upfield on the heels of a 40-yard Joshua Tapscott run. Tapscott, the Evergreen District Player of the Year, cashed in four plays later, tying the score with 5:38 remaining in the first.

After both teams traded turnovers, James Monroe receiver Jamiir Bumbrey set up the Jackets' second touchdown with a long catch and run on a slant pattern that took the ball all the way down to the Cougars' six-yard line.

Ethan Preston scored what would be the final touchdown of the game with 45 seconds left in the quarter on a three-yard run.

James Monroe perhaps should have had more breathing room. Demontaz Brown kept a read option and appeared to be two yards into the endzone before fumbling the ball which was recovered by a Kettle Run defender for a touchback.

But the call is irrelevant, because James Monroe held; the closest call came midway through the fourth quarter when Ethan Preston's second fumble of the afternoon set the Cougars up with a first-and-goal on the 7.

Coach Serbay admits he was just a little nervous. "I’ll be honest with you I was scared to death," said Serbay. "I leave the defense to the young coaches so I don’t have a heart attack. Our kids came through for us. We’ve got some really good kids up front who just play with reckless abandon."

He also gave credit to Kettle Run. "There’s a reason they were 13-0 and I saw that today. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re a region II rep again next year."

James Monroe (13-0) will face Brookville next weekend at Liberty University in the state title game.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
 

JM-E. Nelson 1-yard run (Dit kick) 7:20

Kettle Run-J. Tapscott 17-yard run (E. Szklennik kick) 5:38

JM-E. Preston 3-yard run (Dit kick) :45

James Monroe Stats

Rushing

Ethan Preston- 18 carries, 88 yards, TD

Demontaz Brown- 5 carries, 35 yards

Eric Nelson 1 carry, TD

Passing

Demontaz Brown- 11-for-27 for 208 yards

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