Powhatan wins with makeshift defense

SLIDESHOW: Brunswick vs. Powhatan

POWHATAN -- Injuries to a couple of defensive players meant Powhatan coach Jim Woodson and his longtime defensive coordinator Ernie Henderson had to shuffle some players around for the Indians' Southside District game with Brunswick.

Shawn Minor, the Indians' quarterback, but also a premier cornerback, shifted to safety, a position he's played before. Ellis Moore, a 6-4 wide receiver and the Indians' place kicker, stepped in at free safety. It was his first game on defense.

Moore got burned on Brunswick's first offensive play, an 82-yard pass and catch from Javonte Green to 6-4 Devone Dugger that went for a touchdown.

"I said after that first play, 'This is harder than it looks'," Moore said. "It was definitely a wake-up call."

The Bulldogs didn't score again, and Powhatan, ranked No. 7 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, went on to win 31-6 on a misty Senior Night.

Dugger caught one more pass although he was the target of many when Green managed to escape the pressure put on him by the Powhatan linemen and linebackers.

On a couple of plays, Moore and Dugger went after the ball as if they were rebounding a missed shot. They go head-to-head on the basketball floor as well.

"I told him I'd see him on the floor. It was nerve-wracking, but exciting," said Moore, who booted a 23-yard field goal and four extra points. "As we got a lead, I had a cushion to work with."

Brunswick, which came in with a four-game winning streak, perfectly executed an onside kick after its touchdown but gave up the ball on downs at the Powhatan 42.

The Indians (5-0, 8-0) drove 58 yards for the go-ahead score, a 1-yard run by Landen Bradley. Minor had pass completions of 15 and 16 yards to Josh Ingram to keep the Indians moving.

Bradley added a second 1-yard run with 7:52 to go in the second quarter. Moore's field goal ended the scoring in the first half. Dion Berry (7 carries, 98 yards in the second half) scored on a 68-yard run, and Minor passed eight yards to Ingram for the last TD.

The Indians didn't dominate Brunswick (4-1, 4-4) like they have other opponents this season.

"It was a tough, physical game, and we needed that," Woodson said. "This was a good test for us."

Minor said the Indians made too many mental mistakes.

"We just have to work harder. It's not like a happy win for me," he said. "We all made mistakes. I believe we could have played 10 times better."

Contact Arthur Utley at (804) 649-6559 or .

Brunswick ------------------------- 6 0 0 0 -- 6
Powhatan ------------------------- 7 10 0 14 -- 31

B Dugger 82 pass from Green (kick failed)

P Bradley 1 run (Moore kick)

P Bradley 1 run (Moore kick)

P Moore 23 FG

P Berry 68 run (Moore kick)

P Ingram 8 pass from Minor (Moore kick)
RUSHING

Brunswick : Green 14 carries 40 yards, Drumgold-Seward 12-12, A. Smith 4-33. Powhatan : Bradley 14-63, Berry 7-98, Minor 12-64, Kingery 5-16, Brown 2-12.
PASSING

Brunswick : Green 5 completions 11 attempts 129 yards 1 interception. Powhatan : Minor 6-10-64-0.
RECEIVING

Brunswick : Dugger 2 receptions 114 yards, Drumgold-Seward 2-16; A. Smith 1-minus 1. Powhatan : Ingram 5-54, Morris 1-10.