Falcons go 3-for-3 through the air for 83 yards and two touchdowns
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Oct. 23 — The Bulldogs gained more than twice as many first downs as the Falcons, had half as many penalties, and controlled the ball for more than 34 minutes…but still dropped their fourth-consecutive loss on Friday night to the visitors from Woodstock.
Central only ran 10 plays in the first half, but still amassed 164 yards and two touchdowns. Three of the Falcons’ four touchdowns on the night were on explosive plays of more than 50 yards each (two of 65-plus), and three of their first four drives lasted less than 38 seconds. Central racked up more than 300 yards of offense and was perfect in the passing game, as they posted a 28-6 Bull Run District win on the road at Bulldog Field.
Senior Chris Brown rushed for 137 yards on 14 carries (9.8 ypc) and found the end zone once for the Falcons. Senior quarterback Cullen Stanley went 3-for-3 through the air for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Jaxson Kelican also posted two touchdowns — one on the ground from 67 yards out in the fourth quarter, and the other on a 65-yard pass from Stanley on Central’s first offensive play. Kelican also snagged an interception on defense early in the second half.
Luray was competitive in the first two quarters of Friday night’s district matchup and was only down one score at the half. However, the Bulldogs failed to get anything going offensively in the second half and managed only 178 yards for the game, despite picking up 11 first downs. Luray played a clean game and was only penalized twice — both in the first half — for a total of 15 yards.
Luray was aggressive early on, as they extended their first drive with a fake punt by Caleb Cyphert that went for 10 yards on a fourth-and-one at their own 22 yard line. The Bulldogs would punt four plays later, and then give up a 65-yard touchdown pass from Stanley to Kelican on Central’s first play. The Falcons lead 7-0 with 6:22 left in the first quarter.
After a second Luray punt, Brown then broke loose on Central’s fourth play from scrimmage for a 53-yard sprint to the end zone. The Falcons quickly went up 14-0 with 1:37 left in the first quarter, after only running four plays and possessing the ball for a total of 48 seconds.
The Bulldogs then put together back-to-back, 11-play drives to close out the first half —the first lasting nearly eight minutes. The second found pay dirt as senior quarterback Ryan Jenkins found junior Cole Hilliard in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown strike. Luray would go into halftime down 14-6.
The only two turnovers of the game took place early in the third quarter, as both teams traded possessions on back-to-back miscues. Central ended a five-play, opening drive with a fumble; only to have Luray give the ball right back on its first play by way of an interception by Kelican. With great field position, the Falcons went 23 yards in five plays and increased their lead back to two possessions after a 13-yard touchdown pass from Stanley to junior Chance Hutson. Central lead 21-6 with seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Cyphert broke loose for a 46-yard run during Luray’s next possession, but the drive stalled in the red zone after seven plays. Central would punt the ball back, and once again the Bulldogs’offense stalled just outside the red zone after 10 plays. Midway through the fourth quarter, Central would score its last touchdown during a one-play drive consisting of a 67-yard run by Kelican. Luray’s final drive ended with a sack and loss of seven yards (total) for the possession.
Cyphert lead Luray’s ground game with 22 carries for 100 yards (4.5 ypc). Jenkins had 19 touches, but only picked up 43 yards. The senior went 4-for-11 through the air for 25 yards and one touchdown.
Two games remain in the regular season for both teams. Luray (3-5) will travel to Berryville to take on the Eagles of Clarke County (1-6) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, before hosting county-rival Page (2-6) on Nov. 6. Central (3-5) travels to Buddy Comer Stadium to face the Panthers this Friday night, before hosting district-leading Strasburg (6-2) on Nov. 6.
Currently, the Bulldogs are ranked No. 7 in Region 1B (as of Tuesday, Oct. 27) and could potentially be eliminated from postseason play under the planned six-team format in the region playoffs. Buffalo Gap and Riverheads are the most likely teams in the region to receive first round byes. Region 1B semifinals are set for Friday, Nov. 20, with the region championship scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28.
For more information on Luray High School Athletics,
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