Mustangs control their own destiny

Monticello (2-0 JD, 5-1) is in the driver’s seat in the Jefferson District, and following its thrilling 23-21 victory over Courtland, appears poised to make another postseason push.
The win over the Cougars, which were unbeaten and ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press poll last week, can’t hurt the Mustangs’ case.
But Monticello coach Brud Bicknell isn’t looking too far into the future just yet.
“The nice part is, I don’t think they’re going to lose many games,” said Bicknell of the Battlefield District team. “So that will be huge computer points for us in the long run. That’s still a few games down the road for us. We’re going to enjoy this homecoming win, then go back to work and figure out how to beat Western.”
Pelton does it all (again)
Monticello’s Jake Pelton converted a 25-yard field goal to give the Mustangs a 17-7 lead going into halftime. It was no doubt a difference in the game, as it gave Monticello the cushion it needed to hold off the pesky Cougars.
Pelton, a left-footed kicker, now has three field goals on the year. The multi-talented senior also led the team in receiving, hauling in eight catches for 89 yards.
“It’s a nice weapon to have,” Bicknell said of Pelton’s kicking abilities. “Pelton was just amazing again. Whether its defense, offense, punting, kicking field goals, it’s crazy what he’s given to our team.”
Graham has stellar outing
Quarterback Michael Graham was one of the many highlights for Monticello in its win over Courtland. The senior quarterback threw for one touchdown and ran for two more to help the Mustangs secure the win, which was the team’s 18th straight at home.
“He came out real confident in what he was doing,” Bicknell said. “We shuffled some of our receivers around a little bit, and he just played very well.”
On Monticello’s opening drive, Graham was particularly impressive, as he completed 7 of 7 passes, including a 20-yard touchdown strike to Mark Brady to give the Mustangs the early lead. In fact, Graham completed his first eight passes of the game.
Brady also had his best outing as a receiver, with five receptions for 61 yards.
Graham connected with six different receivers on the night and finished 21 of 31 for 200 yards passing. The 21 completions tied a school record.
Graham’s efficient passing game opened up the ground game for Monticello, especially in the second half.
Besides Graham, Banks was the only other ball carrier for the Mustangs.
The senior racked up 97 rushing yards on 25 attempts, the longest of which came at the start of the third quarter on a 10-yard gain.
Banks just missed becoming the team’s first 100-yard rusher this year, but the total was the highest for a Monticello ball carrier this season.
Turnover-plagued Madison still in good shape
Madison County struggled to hold onto the ball against Group AA opponent Eastern View, turning it over five times (three fumbles, an interception and once on downs) in what became the Mountaineers’ first loss of the season.
But Madison (5-1) should be able to shore that problem up in practice before Bull Run District play starts this week.
That’s when the Mountaineers should shine, but they won’t get to ease into things.
“Our first district game is this week.  We have to be done and over with [that game],” Madison coach Stuart Dean said. “Now we start from scratch because now they count.”
Clarke County (5-2) could be Madison’s only competition in the district, and Madison will open with Clarke this week.
If Madison can get a win against Clarke at home, the Mountaineers could be playoff bound.
The rest of the Bull Run — Manassas Park, George Mason and Strasburg — have just one win each going into this Friday.
If Madison holds onto the ball, the district better look out.
Western stays with two-QB system
Western Albemarle has been using two quarterbacks all season, but against Fluvanna, Seth Bowman made the majority of the throws against the Flucos. That’s a shift from the usual balance, where Stephen Schuler got the majority of the attempts.
Both athletes play both ways and multiple positions, so it’s no shock to see the Warriors move them around. Bowman was very solid though against Fluvanna, rushing for 51 yards on nine carries while completing eight of his 13 attempts for 76 yards.
Schuler was 1 for 4 for 10 yards passing, but rushed for 75 yards on 10 carries, including a fourth quarter touchdown. The bulk of the offense rested on the shoulders of Schuyler Wilkerson, who piled up 208 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Western coach Ed Pierce has maintained all season — and isn’t wavering now — that he has two good quarterbacks and he’ll play both depending on their respective strengths. There’s a big distinction between that and a system that simply goes with the hot hand.
It’ll be interesting to see who the Warriors give the majority of the snaps to on offense against Monticello. Odds are good Wilkerson won’t pile up as many yards against the Mustangs, and Western’s main signal-caller, whoever that may be, will have to carry more of the load.
Cosby emerges for Louisa County
Louisa’s Glen Cosby had the definition of a breakout game against Charlottesville last week, rushing for 185 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Cosby hasn’t been the Lions’ featured back this season, but he exploded against the Black Knights.
Cosby’s development could spark Louisa. The Lions need to run the table to have a shot at the playoffs, and a game against Orange County next week looms large.
Luckily, the Lions have an extra week to prepare with a bye this Friday.
Combine Cosby with the Lions’ hard-nosed defense and Mark Fischer may be working on recipe for a postseason berth in Mineral.
Gaskins gets it done for Woodberry Forest
Woodberry Forest’s K.G. Gaskins continues to be the workhorse for the Tigers’ run game. In the team’s 17-3 victory over Landon School (Md.) Gaskins finished with 104 of the team’s 153 rushing yards.
The tailback toted the ball 22 times and scored twice for the Tigers. Gaskins has rushed for 374 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Woodberry (4-1) plays host to St. Albans School on Saturday.
Covenant and STAB match up
Covenant, coming off a win over Virginia Episcopal, will try and keep things going against St. Anne’s-Belfield this week.
STAB doesn’t have much momentum going into this one after a 54-27 loss to Collegiate Friday where the Saints ran into a lot of Jake McGee. McGee accounted for six touchdowns, four through the air, another on the ground and one on an 82-yard interception return.
Covenant will have to establish the run with Luke Heinsohn early — the Eagles will want St. Anne’s absorbing a big dose of the senior back.
As a side note, STAB’s Alex Asher is just 169 yards away from the Central Virginia career receiving mark set last year by Daniel Lieb.
Lieb had 2,517 yards at Monticello, and Asher has 2,348 yards on his career. That makes Asher third on the all-time list, right behind former Monticello pass-catcher Richard Nelson. 
Look for more on the STAB/Covenant matchup later in the week.