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High school football: James Monroe 27, Orange 18
BY JIM McCONNELL Last night's game between former Battlefield District rivals James Monroe and Orange was billed as a showdown of gifted junior quarterbacks DeVontae Atkins and Quintin Hunter. Ultimately, the Yellow Jackets' defense and offensive line had the final say. James Monroe (5-0) controlled the ball by rushing for 234 yards and limited Orange's explosive offense to just six points through three quarters en route to a 27-18 victory. It was the 500th win in the history of James Monroe's football program, which dates back to 1909. "I told our staff four touchdowns would win it," JM coach Rich Serbay said. "I thought our defense could hold them to two or three touchdowns and we did." Atkins rushed for 111 yards and Jamel Brooks ran for three touchdowns to lead the Yellow Jackets. One week after he shredded Monticello for 528 total yards in a 61-42 loss, Orange's Hunter completed 19-of-27 passes for 207 yards and rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries. But James Monroe's defense turned up the pressure in the second half, holding Hunter to minus-6 yards on his final eight rushing attempts. "We knew he was the heart of their team," JM linebacker Stephen Meadows said. "If you take the heart out, the body will fall." Orange (2-3) made it look easy on its opening possession, marching 72 yards in just six plays for a touchdown. Hunter did the honors with a 16-yard strike to Carnell Perkins as the Hornets took a 6-0 lead with 10:17 left in the first quarter. Orange had a chance to extend its advantage after recovering Brooks' fumble at its 39. But after a personal foul gave the Hornets a first down at the James Monroe 22, they lost 19 yards on a botched reverse and the drive ended on downs three plays later at the 17. Orange didn't reach the end zone again until the fourth quarter. "If we go up two scores, it's tougher for them, but they stopped us and they deserved it," Orange coach John Kayajanian said. The visiting Yellow Jackets ended the first half by scoring on two of their final three possessions. They went ahead 7-6 on Brooks' 4-yard run, then added to the lead when Atkins hit P.J. Hayden for an 8-yard touchdown strike with 27 seconds left.
Date published: 10/6/2007
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