In what was expected to be a high-scoring shootout between two of the ranked power programs in the state, the Jefferson Forest Cavaliers played a spectacular game following their spectacular remembrance of September 11, 2001 prior to kick off as the completely handled the defending 3A state champion Magna Vista by a count of 53-20.
The Cavaliers played a near-perfect half on both sides of the ball to open the game before cruising through the second half to notch a statement victory that should be heard in the halls to Lake Taylor to the practice fields in Sherando to the film rooms in Salem.
**See 552 images from the game**
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM TIME SCORING PLAY GAME SCORE
JF 7:44 (1) Burch 51 yards, PAT missed 6-0
JF 1:41 (1) Scott to Jones 60 yards, PAT missed 12-0
JF 7:15 (2) Jones 18 yards, conversion Jones 20-0
JF 2:36 (2) Jones 13 yards, PAT missed 26-0
JF 0:02 (2) Jones 76 yards, PAT Quarles 33-0
JF 7:13 (3) Blair 13 yards, PAT Quarles 40-0
MV 6:53 (3) Hairston 32 yards, PAT missed 40-6
JF 1:19 (3) Scott 4 yards, PAT missed 46-6
MV 1:03 (3) McGuire to Perkins, conversion McGuire to Redd 46-14
JF 8:59 (4) Jones 68 yards, PAT Quarles 53-14
MV 5:05 (4) Perkins 7 yards, PAT blocked 53-20
KEYS TO VICTORY
KEY DEFENSIVE STOPS
Jefferson Forest opened the game with the ball and after a pair of three-and-out series by both teams, the Cavaliers found the end zone for the first time in the game when Sean Burch took a reverse down the Forest sideline for a 51-yard score and it looked like the high-scoring game that was projected was getting off to a hot start.
The Magna Vista offense looked like it was going to answer back quickly as a scrambling Shoalin McGuire dumped the ball off to Joc Hairston who danced and swerved his way down to the Cavaliers 12-yard line putting the Warriors in position to tie the game or take the lead. However, the Forest defense had other plans as they shut down the next three plays forcing a fourth-and-five from the 7-yard line. McGuire rolled right but had no luck finding a receiver resulting in him throwing the ball over the outstretched hands of a receiver in the back of the end zone.
A pattern was established.
Driving to their own 40, the Cavaliers hit another big play when Cole Scott found Navy Jones (pictured) working up the seam off a play-action fake that left the speedy back wide open behind the Magna Vista secondary notching a 60-yard receiving touchdown to push the Cavaliers lead to 12-0.
The ensuing Warriors drive was snuffed at midfield when McGuire was tackled short on fourth-and-two, then the Cavs offense turned their next possession into a touchdown when Jones took a handoff 18 yards on third-and-goal from the 18-yard line following an offensive penalty on the previous play. Now, up 20-0, Jefferson Forest was in danger of putting this one away before halftime.
When Magna Vista drove to the Cavaliers 19-yard line but fumbled the ball back thanks to a recovery by Jay Younger (pictured), who handed the ball to his offense on their own 17-yard line.
The Cavs immediately moved into Warriors' territory and capped yet another scoring drive with Jones finding the end zone from 13 yards out giving him three scores in the first half making the count 26-0 Forest.
When Scott intercepted a Magna Vista pass in the end zone to snuff out yet another Warriors' scoring opportunity, it looked like the half would end with the Cavaliers running out the clock.
However, with seven seconds left on the clock, Coach Bob Christmas called for a quick trap that worked to perfection as Jones raced 76 yards untouched to extend the home team's lead to 33-0 heading into the locker rooms.
An almost academic second half saw Jefferson Forest score on three of their four possessions with Austin Blair rumbling in from 13 yards out (on third-and-goal, no less), Scott score on a four-yard run, and Jones adding his fifth touchdown of the night on a 68-yard dash to cap the night for the Cavaliers.
For their part, Magna Vista came out with vigor in the second half scoring on two of their first three possessions, but they fumbled the ball back to Jefferson Forest yet again in the Cavs' red zone on their next drive before getting a late touchdown from back up quarterback Austin Perkins.
BIG PLAY OFFENSE
The game figured to be filled with big plays as both teams featured explosive offenses and neither defense had been exactly spectacular to date. But, perhaps the biggest difference in the contest, was that Jefferson Forest scored either on or after their big plays while Magna Vista squandered opportunities in Cavaliers' territory all night.
As expected, Jefferson Forest tailback Navy Jones was exceptionally explosive as he scored on touchdown runs of 68 and 76 yards while also hauling in a 60-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Cole Scott (pictured).
Scott was a central figure in just as many big plays as, along with hitting Jones on the big scoring strike, he notched a 36-yard run from his own 17-yard line to not only move the ball into Magna Vista territory from their own negative red zone but also to kickstart yet another scoring drive. Additionally, after Magna Vista came out of the locker room with some steam looking to get back into the contest, Scott helped take the air out of their sails on his first possession of the second half finding Sean Burch up the seam for a 69-yard pass that further extended their lead, extinguishing the hopes of the Warriors early in the third quarter.
Along with that reception, Burch scored the first touchdown of the contest with a 51-yard dash that helped set the explosive tone for the Cavaliers offense.
DEPTH OF SKILL
Following his huge junior season, Navy Jones has pretty much been a household name for serious high school fans across the state as his combination of speed and vision along with the holes created by his line and the misdirection deceptions of the wishbone scheme makes him one of the most difficult players in the state to contain.
However, after putting up 104 points in their first two games against William Fleming and Patrick Henry, it was becoming clear that the Cavaliers offense is no one-man show. Scoring such a big win over such a quality opponent now cements the fact that they are a deep unit with a lot of game-breaking players.
In the backfield, Jones is joined by Cameron Miller-Trent, (pictured) a not-quite-as-quick-but-bigger version of Jones running back, and Austin Blair, a bruising fullback capable of carrying defenders into the end zone as he did during his third quarter score. Scott is a capable quarterback who does an excellent job handling the ball fooling defenders (and photographers) on several plays and wide out Sean Burch is not only a down-the-field threat, he's also a catch-and-run receiver who can make defenders miss in space.
Through three games, the unit is averaging over 52 points per contest and they've not played a lineup of patsies to date. As head coach Bob Christmas noted in his post game interview, there are still plenty of challenges awaiting his team. With their offense clicking and an improving (and opportunistic) defense, the Cavaliers look to have the pieces in place to make a deep, deep postseason run, potentially all the way to the state championship game.
The West should be warned.
**Hear Jefferson Forest head coach Bob Christmas discuss the game**
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
1. Navy Jones
2. Cole Scott
3. Sean Burch
NAVY JONES
The Jefferson Forest senior was electric all night scoring on touchdown runs of 13, 18, 68 and 76 yards adding a fifth touchdown on a 60-yard reception. On the night he carried the ball 12 times for 245 yards.
COLE SCOTT
The Cavaliers class of 2016 standout made plays on both sides of the ball throwing one touchdown pass and ran for another on the offensive side while also picking off a pass in the end zone to halt a potential Magna Vista scoring drive.
SEAN BURCH
The senior wide out from Jefferson Forest scored the game's first touchdown on a 51-yard run then set up another score with a 69-yard run-and-catch to the Magna Vista ten-yard line in the second half to help squash any comeback hopes that the Warriors may have had.
SIDE NOTE
Prior to kickoff, the Jefferson Forest community conducted a stirring ceremony in remembrance of 9-11 including a salute to first responders. As the son of a lifelong fireman, I can speak with firsthand knowledge of the bravery of the people who run in while others are running away.
Fans were handed free flags on the way into the stadium and the local fire department hung a huge American flag from their 93-foot ladder from the top of the hill behind one of the end zones. It was an especially patriotic moment and night and one that hopefully reminded everyone that there is a whole lot more right in the country then there is wrong (regardless of what the internet barrages us with almost daily).
Following the ceremony, the Cavaliers took the field with one of the better entrances that I've seen as it combined the band, the flag squad, fans running with C-A-V-S flags, music, roaring motorcycles and the busting of the cheerleader banner.
All in all, a nice American kind of night that should be celebrated every Friday, not just on specific occasions.
Football Editor Rod Johnson first joined the staff at www.VirginiaPreps.com in 2003 reporting on prospects, programs and news from around the state since moving to the Commonwealth. To keep up with all the high school football action in the state, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook. He is also the regular host of the VirginiaPreps.com Podcast. To find a full archived list of podcast recordings, click on our Podcast Library. Additionally, Rod can be contacted via e-mail at vaprepsrod@cox.net.
