Powhatan blasts York in playoffs

POWHATAN - What promised to be a down-to-the-wire nail-biter in the Group AA, Division 4, Region I semifinals last night was anything but.

Scoring early and often, Powhatan (11-0) overpowered York 49-0 on the strength of an offense that steamrolled its way through 491 yards of slippery turf and a relentless defense that forced four turnovers and shut down the Falcons' vaunted rushing and passing attacks.

"We just got hyped," Indians' senior quarterback Shawn Minor said. "We were definitely pumped. We just came out ready to play because if we lose, we go home, and we did not want to go home."

Coach Jim Woodson's team ended each of their first four series with a touchdown, limited the visitors from the Bay Rivers District to four three-and-outs and led 28-0 at the half.

Minor scored first on a 1-yard sneak after a 10-play, 59-yard drive.

Dustin Kingery finished a 6-play, 86-yard drive with a 12-yard run.

Landon Bradley bulled in from the 1 to end a 10-play, 66-yard drive.

Kurt Taylor leapt high for a 19-yard pass from Minor at the goal line and dragged a frustrated defender into the end zone.

"Our passing game was working pretty well tonight," Minor said, "but I think the 23 and 24 counter treys were where we gained the most yards.

"I give all the credit to the line. If it wasn't for them, we couldn't get the yardage."

Following a hefty yet mobile offensive line that averages 285 pounds, Bradley, a 6-0, 192-pound sophomore, lit up the visitors for 188 yards on 23 carries, then sat out much of the second half.

The Falcons (7-4) averaged 337 yards through their first 10 games.

The Indians, ranked No. 4 in Group AA, limited them to 103 yards passing and 81 rushing, much of which came after the game was decided.

"The coaches put together a good scheme," said junior safety Philip Schoeffel, who had six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. "We shut down the run early, which forced them to pass, the secondary played well, and we got a good pass rush."

The Indians scored twice in the third quarter: a 13-yard run by Kingery and a 9-yard Minor-to-Taylor connection.

Christian Higuchi's 2-yard run late in the fourth completed the scoring.

"We saw them on film, and we knew what was coming at us," York coach Doug Pereira said. "We came out as prepared as we could be.

"They were just too much for us. They played really well."

York ------------------------- 0 0 0 0 - 0
Powhatan ------------------------- 14 14 14 7 - 49

P - Minor 1 run (Moore kick)

P - Kingery 12 run (Moore kick)

P - Bradley 1 run (Moore kick)

P - Taylor 18 pass from Minor (Moore kick)

P - Kingery 13 run (Moore kick)

P - Taylor 9 pass from Minor (Moore kick)

P - C. Higuchi 2 run (Malcolm kick)
RUSHING

York - Norman 6 carries, 31 yards, Ashby 6-29, Johnston 9-21. Powhatan - Bradley 23-188, Minor 12-83, Berry 4-40, Kingery 5-36, Brown 2-34, A. Higuchi 1-8, C. Higuchi 4-4, Taylor 3-2.
PASSING

York - Johnston 6 completions, 18 attempts, 2 interceptions, 103 yards. Powhatan - Minor 8-11-0-98
RECEIVING

York - Rogerson 3 receptions, 58 yards, Myers 1-24, Edwards 1-13, Lewis 1-8. Powhatan - Taylor 4-54, Ingram 3-38, Kingery 1-6.