James Monroe Crushes Spotsy, 41-6

Senior captain and star running back of the James Monroe football team Ethan Preston didn’t hesitate to make his presence felt in the Yellow Jackets’ 41-6 rout of Spotsylvania last night.

After being barely tripped up on a nine-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage, it was apparent that Preston was not going to be brought down easily.

It took just two plays and 37 seconds for Preston to find the endzone, giving the Jackets an early 7-0 lead that they would never relinquish.

“The play was 49 sweep,” Preston said after the game, “I turned the corner and I saw A’Darius [Brown].”

That’s when Preston knew he had a good feeling about the play. “When I saw A’Darius, we made eye contact and we both knew what was about to happen.  He had my lead block the whole way to the endzone.”

For Preston, the game effectively ended in the middle of the second quarter when Coach Rich Serbay decided to pull most of the starters after building a comfortable lead over the Knights.

In a quarter and a half of playing time, Preston was able to rack up 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries.

However, Preston was not the only standout performer on the offensive side of the ball for the Yellow Jackets. Junior quarterback Demontaz Brown threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver A’Darius Brown on his only pass of the game.  A’Darius added the touchdown reception to the 16-yard touchdown rush he broke free for earlier in the game.

The Jackets’ defense played well as a unit. In addition to allowing only six points, the stingy side did not allow the Spotsylvania offense to cross the 50-yard line during the first half.

The Jayem defense was even able to light up the scoreboard once. Senior linebacker Daniel Armstead cashed in on a rare scoring opportunity when he recovered a muffed punt snap and returned it four yards for a touchdown.

It’s hard to believe that the Yellow Jackets found so much rhythm both offensively and defensively despite persistent rainfall and near-freezing temperatures Friday.

“The rain hurt,” said Preston. “It was hard not to slip, our cuts had to be tight. We don’t mind the cold, but when it’s mixed with rain it makes it worse.”

When Coach Serbay pulled the starters midway through the second quarter it was primarily out of gamesmanship, but he had another motive in mind.

"We couldn't take a chance with somebody slipping and pulling a muscle," remarked Serbay. "We have a big game next week."

That game is Chancellor, the final team standing in the way of a historic undefeated season for the Jackets.

James Monroe will host the Chargers in both teams' regular season finale next Friday, Nov. 4 at Maury Stadium. 

*With 5:47 left in the first quarter Spotsylvania senior Palmer Rhea was injured on the kickoff following Preston’s second touchdown.  Rhea stayed down on the field for an upwards of 25 minutes until a rescue squad arrived.  He was lifted off the field on a stretcher and carried away in an ambulance.  Rhea did give a “thumbs up” to the crowd to signify his consciousness.

JM Rushing Totals

Ethan Preston: 8 carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs,

A’Darius Brown: 1 carry, 16 yards, TD

Robert Lawrence: 6 carries, 16 yards, TD

Jay Scroggins: 5 carries, 6 yards

Glenn Taylor: 5 carries, 28 yards

JM Passing Totals

Demontaz Brown: 1/1, 9 yards, TD

Jay Scroggins: 2/4, -4 yards

JM Receiving Totals

A’Darius Brown: 1 catch, 9 yards, TD

Tyronne Johnson: 1 catch, -2 yards

Jamal Bevels: 1 catch, -2 yards

Box Score 

                            Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       F

James Monroe        27       14       0          0          41

Spotsylvania         0          0          6          0          6

Scoring Summary

 Q1/11:13       JM- E. Preston 52 yard run (Dit kick)                           

Q1/9:31         JM- D. Armstead 4 yard run (Dit kick)                         

Q1/5:54         JM- E. Preston 2 yard run (Kick Failed)                         

Q1/4:24         JM- A. Brown 16 yard run (Dit kick)                           

Q2/10:51       JM- D. Brown 9 yard pass to A. Brown (Dit kick)            

Q2/8:17         JM- R. Lawrence 8 yard run (Dit kick)                          

Q3/6:12         Spotsy-N. Perry 4 yard run (Kick Failed)