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Caroline's defense comes up big at JM

October 20, 2007 12:36 am

BY JUSTIN RICE

The James Monroe sideline was in a frenzy. Jackets fans were on their feet, screaming.

One more play, one more drive, and JM would escape one more score, and the Jackets could win their homecoming game and keep a perfect season intact.

But it was not to be.

Caroline's defense made one last stand, and its offense ran out the clock as the Cavaliers scored an 18-15 Battlefield District win at Maury Stadium last night.

"We had four shutouts [this year], but tonight--even though we didn't get the shutout--was the biggest," Caroline's Jabrel Mines said. "Our defense stepped up. I couldn't be more proud of them."

The Cavaliers (6-1, 2-0) have posted shutouts against King William, Louisa, Henrico and Thomas Jefferson. Last week, in a 14-7 win against Chancellor, they didn't give up an offensive touchdown.

Still, Mines could have been right--last night's game

was an impressive showing.

JM quarterback DeVontae Atkins is a pass-run threat who had 1,000 yards throwing and 1,000 passing last year. Receiver P.J. Hayden is the top pass-catcher in the Battlefield District. Running back Jamel Brooks had 607 yards and nine touchdowns entering the game.

But they were all limited last night.

"They're scary on offense," Caroline coach Robert Jenkins said. "We had [Mines] keying on Brooks we were trying to make sure we had P.J. covered, and we had to keep Atkins under control."

Hayden caught just two passes for 18 yards, and was tossed for a 6-yard loss and a fumble on his only rush.

Brooks had a 48-yard run on JM's first play from scrimmage, but finished with just 43 rushing yards on six attempts.

And Atkins was 9-of-23 passing with two interceptions. He gained 12 yards on the ground on 10 attempts. The quarterback was under pressure most of the night. That's not unusual for Atkins, but normally he's able to escape a rush and make big plays with his feet.

But not against Caroline last night.

"All week we prepared with our defensive line getting up the field," Mines said, "and our linebackers containing, and then just tackling drills, making sure we wrap up. Tonight, all 11 players came out focused for us."

On offense, Caroline stressed the running game to try to limit JM's time of possession. Mines carried 30 times for 157 yards. JM limited his big plays, but consistent short gains kept the chains moving for Caroline.

"We figured if we had the ball, they didn't," Jenkins said. "We were trying to run it as much as we could."

Mines carried the Cavaliers down the field in the first quarter, and Jamar Samuel hit Marcus Dorsey on a well-executed third-down screen pass for a 17-yard touchdown.

JM (6-1, 1-1) took the lead back in the second quarter on a four-yard run by Brooks.

Samuel started the second half with a kick return to the JM 31, and eight plays later he hit Quinton Broaddus on an 8-yard touchdown pass. Lavada Rollins added a third Caroline touchdown, on a short run with 4:21 left in the third quarter.

Caroline led, 18-7, but it would have to stop one last JM gasp to hang on.

Aided but two Caroline penalties, JM drove 77 yards and scored on Atkins' 7-yard pass to Stephen Meadows.

The JM defense then stopped Caroline on three plays, and the Jackets got the ball back on the Caroline 38.

The crowd got loud; the JM players came to life they anticipated a big play from one of their many offensive weapons.

But it wasn't to be.

On third-and-six, Atkins dropped back and saw the pressure coming. He tried to buy time, but he was smothered by Caroline's Claudell Fells.

The sack knocked JM back to the Caroline 49, and on fourth-and-21, a deep pass fell incomplete.

"We looked sluggish," Atkins said. "We didn't have a good day in practice at all. We'll pick it back up."

JM hosts Spotsylvania next Friday, while Caroline plays another key district game at home against Courtland.