Orange’s Hunter goes out in style

In the final two weeks of his high school career, Orange quarterback Quintin Hunter rushed for 202 yards and four touchdowns while passing for three touchdowns and 283 yards. The senior is a one-man balanced offensive attack.
He also helped spark the Hornets to a pair of wins that completed a five-game win streak to close out his football stint at Orange County. After the win, Hunter drew high praise from Friday night’s opposing coach, Fluvanna’s Joel Gray, who called to mind the first look he got at Hunter.
“I’m glad he’s gone, that joker can play,” Gray said. “We jumped on them quick two years ago and all of the sudden I see this sophomore, No. 4, line up and he runs by our whole secondary and [former Orange quarterback Bradley] Starks threw it about 75 yards [to him[. I’ve seen enough of him.”
When Orange pulled Hunter out of the game with just over eight minutes to play against the Flucos, the first person to talk to him was the Hornets’ offensive coordinator, Jesse Lohr. Lohr played a big part, along with head coach John Kayjanian, in molding Hunter into a superb high school quarterback as well as an all around star.
“I’ve been with him for four years and every year he made me a better person and a better player,” Hunter said. “He just told me how much he loved me as a person and player.”
In typical fashion, Hunter showed a great deal of concern for his teammates. He explained how disappointed he was that Shane Oehmke, a fellow senior, had to leave the contest with an injury on the opening drive of the third quarter.
“He’s one of the best players on this team and I feel even worse for him because he didn’t get to finish out playing,” Hunter said.
Oehmke did haul in a 2-point conversion from Hunter earlier in the contest.
Hunter will make the short move west to Virginia’s first-year dorms some time in 2009, but the rest of the Jefferson will have to endure Hunter’s prowess for a little longer.
He’ll be hitting the hardwood with the Hornets soon, where he helped lead Orange to a Jefferson District tournament title last year.
Line again powers Saints
Down a pair of running backs, St. Anne’s coach John Blake dipped way down the depth chart to find Saturday’s rushing heroes, linebacker Quincey September and tight end Alex Asher. September piled up 192 yards while Asher gained 82, with both seeing their first extensive action at running back.
“I have a stable, I have a stable,” Blake said.
But it was the offensive line that let Blake know who to lean on against Covenant.
“The offensive line was telling us, give the ball to Q [September] and we’ll be just fine,” Blake said. “Q took it to heart today.”
Indications are that those two likely won’t have to carry as much of the load against Atlantic Shores, who should give the Saints their toughest test in Division II.
Powered by quarterback Josh Healey, Atlantic Shores has been ranked at the top spot in the state poll for weeks and crushed VES 35-7 last Friday. Look for more on the Seahawks later this week.
Long posts resilient game against Eagles
A number of players, including September, Bryan Stinnie and Asher, played both ways for St. Anne’s and endured a great deal of physical toil. With several crucial starters and backups on the sideline, that was a necessity if the Saints were going to advance.
But one of the most mentally tough players was quarterback Howie Long. Long didn’t have to play both ways, but he had another frustrating outing against Covenant, going just 3 of 10 with a pair of interceptions for the Saints.
“He made two bad decisions and he knew it as soon as he threw them,” said Blake. “I don’t think he likes playing on this field.”
When it mattered most though, Long punched the ball in, scoring from four yards out on a quarterback keeper. The score, with 6:47 to play, proved to be the winning touchdown.
“He led us today and he did a great job,” Blake said.
Saints strong on defense
After Covenant scored on its opening drive, marching 37 yards before Andy Colberg’s 9-yard touchdown run, St. Anne’s seemed to find its groove on defense. The Saints allowed just seven points by the Covenant offense over the next three quarters, including a shutout in the second half.
And to get that touchdown, the Eagles had to run two fake punts, including a conversion on fourth and 15 while pinned in their own territory. The Saints also had a pair of interceptions during the game, while playing a number of back-ups in the secondary.
Covenant seniors make their mark
Covenant wrapped up its season on Saturday, but a dozen seniors made an indelible mark on the program.
The Eagles had five senior captains this year, including Colberg, Luke Heinsohn, Mason Miller, Marcus Payne and Brett Clark.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever had that many, but we just had a good group of seniors. It’s probably been the best across the board,” said Covenant coach Mark Sanford. “We’ve had some good individual seniors
before, but across the board, they’re all exceptional kids as well as good athletes. It’s been a good group of kids to work with.
“Most of them have been with us for two or three years, so they know what our program’s about, they know what our goals are, they know what’s expected of them, and they just do a great job of leading the program.”
Wilson, Colberg are Army Iron Man finalists
Local players Denzel Wilson of Blue Ridge and Andy Colberg of Covenant are among 10 finalists for the Army Iron Man of the Year award. Both Wilson and Colberg won the weekly award this fall, which honors the best two-way football player in the state.
Voting started Monday and ends at midnight on Nov. 23. The winner will be announced on Nov. 24. Check out the Preps Plus blog for more information on how to vote.

Daily Progress staff writer Liz Keller
contributed to this story.