Draft can’t get by Lee

Stuarts Draft, ranked No. 2 in The News Virginian ShenValley 5, was the first district undefeated to fall, losing to No. 4 Robert E. Lee 28-21. The Leemen's dual attack of Rajah Jenkins and Dae Quan Scott ran over the slow-moving Cougars, breaking out big plays when Lee needed them most.

"There are a lot of emotions right now and we are looking good headed into the next game," Jenkins said.

Lee still has one Southern Valley game left this season coming on Oct. 26 against Rockbridge. A win against the Wildcats would keep Lee perfect in the district and guarantee them a spot in the Region III playoffs.

For the Cougars to win the title they would have to win out and have Rockbridge beat Lee. Rockbridge has lost its last three games dating back to Oct. 5 when Harrisonburg beat the Cats 44-19

Jenkins who accounted for 156 yards on eight carries, scored the first of his two touchdowns on the second play of the game, breaking loose and running 59 yards setting the tone for the game at the same time.

"It was great blocking up front and the receivers we had outside had good seal blocks," Jenkins said. "I had a good hole right between them. Without those blocks none of this would have happened."

Draft dominated the time of possession but was unable to stop the Lee's big plays. Part of the Cougars game plan was to run the clock, but Jenkins and Scott voided the scheme.

"Time of possession is the most overrated statistic in football," Bowers said. "When you got guys scoring from 70 yards out, time of possession doesn't matter."

After the kickoff it took the Cougars more than nine minutes to drive 50-yards before turning the ball over on Lee's 30-yard line on downs. Lee wasn't able to do anything with it though, and for the only time in the game was forced to punt away.

The Cougars' Bron Moore broke through the Lee line and blocked Chandis Goff's kick and picked it up. He ran the 30-yards into the end zone with 1:42 remaining on the clock.

Lee took their next drive into the second quarter and scored on a 62-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard scamper by Scott. The snap on the point after attempt was bobbled though and Lee was unable to get the PAT.

On their next possession the Cougars drove down the field all the way to the 2-yard mark, with 23 seconds remaining in the half. They were unable to punch the ball in and went into the locker room trailing 13-7.

"Our kids have got to realize that a little mistake in the first quarter can be big in the fourth quarter,"

Bowers said. "Hopefully we will get that ironed out, if not I'll be hunting early."

Draft opened the half with another seven-minute drive that resulted in a Ryan Moore touchdown, but the Lee explosive offense negated the score the first play following the kickoff. Jenkins ran a 70-yard touchdown and Scott scored the 2-point conversion.

Each team scored once more, Draft on a Jordan Taylor 1-yard scamper and Lee on a huge Jenkins 38-yard run.

Lee had an opportunity to run out the clock but coughed up the ball on the 40-yard line. With a minute remaining the Cougars made a last attempt to get in the end zone but also fumbled.