Eagles rout Cougars

Just last month, the doors at Kettle Run High School were opened. The brand new school in Nokesville unveiled its state-of-the-art facilities, a new staff and a new varsity football team.

On Friday, Kettle Run sent its football team down to Charlottesville for the first time to take on Covenant.

After Friday’s game, the Cougars may never want to make the trip again.

The Eagles (2-1) scored 43 points in the first quarter and scored six different ways in a 70-0 victory on Friday evening.

“I’m just really proud of the guys,” said Covenant coach Mark Sanford. “Last week we played pretty poorly. We played a really good team, but we also played with very little passion. That was a thing we preached all week. We have got to play every play with passion and today I think the guys responded very well.”

Senior Andy Colberg stole the show on Friday, scoring four touchdowns. The 5-foot-11 playmaker knew his performance was special but praised his teammates and his coach’s motivational skills.

“A couple of us had some great individual days, but it was really the whole team,” Colberg said. “Coach challenged us this week. He demands the best of you.”

Colberg’s first score came three minutes in on a punt return after a short Kettle Run punt. The ball fell near the 15-yard line, where Colberg scooped it up and ran it in to put Covenant up 16-0 following a safety and a Luke Heinsohn touchdown run.

Colberg added an electric 99-yard interception return in the third quarter — crossing the field from sideline to sideline — and a 42-yard touchdown run.

“He is a phenomenal athlete,” Sanford said. “He is a high-character guy. Andy plays with passion every time he steps on the field and you could see that today.”

The Cougars struggled in just the third game in program history. Quarterback Justin Duvall finished 4 for 13 for 31 yards and four interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

Kettle Run (0-3) also had a tough time running the ball. The Cougars carried the ball 24 times for an average of 3.1 yards. The Cougars’ defense also could not seem to slow down Covenant’s rushing attack, allowing several big plays.

Covenant quarterback Lee Coppock was extremely efficient, completing 5 for 6 passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

Heinsohn carried the ball nine times for 68 yards and a touchdown and added a 20-yard touchdown catch.

Next up for the Eagles is a date with Liberty Christian (2-0), the defending VISFA state champions.

“LCA, need I say more?” said Colberg. “They are a great team, but we feel like we have something special. We are ready to go.”