Orange racked up 419 yards of total offense and led 34-0 at halftime before a running clock was used in the second half to get the visiting Blue Devils and hundreds of rain-soaked fans home early.

It was anything but easy, but somehow Monticello overcame devastating penalties, a frustrating first half and the Central Virginia rains to nab a 19-12 victory over Albemarle.

Yet with the exception of two stoppages in play to tend to cramping sessions in each of his legs, the two-way standout from Albemarle that is listed favorably at 155 pounds had done his part.

The good news for Dean is that the bragging rights are his after his Mountaineers team ran over the Greene Dragons 28-0 on the road.

Nelson County head coach Tim Crawford admitted that his team got dominated in its opener last week against Madison County. On Friday night, his troops traveled to Buckingham County and came away with a decisive 28-7 victory, their first of the young season.

When his players talked, Fork Union coach Micky Sullivan listened. And it paid off when it mattered most.

But don’t forget, Monticello’s defense is not too shabby either. In fact, the Mustangs return their entire secondary from a year ago, and the 2008 edition is stronger, faster and more experienced.

When Albemarle quarterback Jeremy Robinson went down with a wrist injury against Brooke Point in 2007, the Patriots’ opponents got something of a break.

Describing the relationship between the William Monroe and Madison football teams as a simple rivalry doesn’t do justice to the circus that surrounds the event.

“We’re not going to do 48 pushups ever again —not even close,” said Albemarle linebacker Kendall Ravenell.

Louisa’s non-district road tilt with Powhatan, originally scheduled for Friday night, has been moved up 24 hours due to Hurricane Hanna’s anticipated arrival in the Richmond area. The Lions (1-0) and the Indians will kick off at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

On Friday, the Flucos were effective on offense, made big plays on defense and earned their just reward. Fluvanna defeated the visiting Eagles 20-14.

Covenant dodged a bullet in the last minute in its opener against visiting Atlantic Shores, as the Eagles held on to a 28-26 victory.

Well, on Friday against St. Anne’s-Belfield, there was no doubt that the Red Raiders were all three as they dispatched the Saints 41-12 in the opener for both teams.

Wilkerson did more than his part to establish the Warriors’ ground attack early, scoring three first quarter touchdowns en route to gaining 106 yards to spark Western Albemarle to a 39-6 victory over Waynesboro.

Madison, looking like a team that had worked out the early-season kinks before taking the field last night at Booster Park, dominated the line of scrimmage from start to finish in a 28-8 win over Nelson County.

Up against two-time defending Group AA, Division 4 champion Amherst County, the Lancers’ power rushing attack took it to the Black Knights, paving the way for a 42-6 victory.

A quick glance at last year’s Western Albemarle varsity football roster and one thing stands out — a lone freshman amidst a sea of juniors and seniors.

For four years, Jeremy Sweet was the heart and soul of Waynesboro’s offensive and defensive lines.

Odds are good that the battle for Jefferson District supremacy this season will come down to Monticello and Orange County.

Rarely do three such signal-callers come through school at the exact same time, but this year, fans across the Jefferson District will be treated to a trio of quarterbacks who have the potential to play at the next level. Monticello’s Michael Graham, Orange’s Quintin Hunter and Charlottesville’s Kevin Leatherwood will give defensive coordinators headaches all season.

Unfortunately for Nelson County, it’s becoming more obvious that the path to a Group A state title runs right through the Governors’ Dogwood District.

Albemarle is loaded with great team speed this season, from the skill positions down to some quick linemen who will rely on being technicians in the trenches. The Patriots are fast just about everywhere, and you can guarantee coach Rick Vrhovac is going to find a way to use that quickness.

Luke Heinsohn is looking to lead the Eagles to some team success to cap what is quickly becoming a storied high school career.

St. Anne’s-Belfield is reloading for another state title run, but that comes as little surprise. State titles have become all but the norm for the Saints.

Western ended a long trek to Liberty High in Bedford with a 33-0 loss. The Minutemen leapt out to an early lead and then took control with three monster plays in the second quarter — a 68-yard punt return for a score, a 39-yard touchdown pass and a 70-yard touchdown run.

High school football practices got underway this week and area coaches are excited about the season’s prospects. Among them is first-year Charlottesville High coach Chris Fraser, who took over the program from longtime coach Garwin DeBerry.

Tasmin Fanning, a former standout at Western Albemarle High School, advanced to today’s finals in the 5,000-meter run in the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials.

Chris Fraser received rave reviews from a number of colleagues and co-workers during the interview process, but Dyrell Roberts seems to be one of his biggest fans.

“(CHS athletic director) Rick (Lilly) sold me on the program,” said Chris Fraser, who was introduced to the press as the new head coach Monday afternoon. “He sold me on his vision, his energy and his enthusiasm. I think it’s going to be a great situation for both of us.”