Leemen stop Black Knights

STAUNTON — Many area football fans wondered how R.E. Lee would replace record-setting quarterback DaeQuan Scott.

Devante White quickly answered those questions by guiding the Leemen to a 36-14 victory over Charlottesville on Friday night.

In his game as a starter, White threw for three touchdowns, ran for one while amassing over 300 yards of total offense and showing no signs that he was feeling any pressure as the team’s new leader.

“I just felt real confident and was ready to play,” White said. “This year is about the team and only the team. That is the way I approach it.”

White led the Leemen on a nine-play drive that ended on an 8-yard touchdown run by running back Kevin Davis with 1:54 to play in the first quarter. The Leemen added the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.

After trading punts, Charlottesville freshman quarterback Benj Wilhelm fumbled and senior linemen A.J. Scott recovered the ball on the Lee 46. One play later, White showed off his arm and found a streaking Terrell Mickens down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown pass, making it 15-0.

On the Leemen’s next drive, White showed his explosiveness with a 28-yard touchdown run off tackle and took off down the sideline making several defenders miss along the way.

“That play was all about the offensive line,” White said. “They blocked well and worked hard all night.”

Mickens then got into the act on the defensive side of the ball, picking off a pass with 25.7 seconds to play in the first half. White and the offense capitalized again, and quickly. On the next play, White hit senior wide receiver Chris Williams down the right sideline for a touchdown and a 29-0 halftime lead.

The Black Knights got on the board in the second half on a 36-yard touchdown run by Erik Ndungutse, but White’s touchdown pass made the score 36-7 and ended any thoughts of a CHS comeback.

“[White] certainly is a weapon and he showed it tonight,” Lee coach David Tibbs said. “He did a real nice job and showed a lot of growth.”

White finished the night 9 of 16 for 149 yards with three scores while running for 158 on 16 carries with one touchdown.

The Knights tacked on a late touchdown when Wilhelm found Ndungutse for a 10-yard touchdown pass.