Central Cruises Past Cumberland in JRD Finale

The Central Chargers hosted Cumberland on the final night of James River District play this past Friday. The Chargers would come out of the gate slowly, but gained momentum midway through the first half and cruised to a 48-14 victory.

Central QB Josh Paynter makes his way through traffic on the way to picking up a block for the Central offense during their win over Cumberland Friday night. (Photo by Ellie Richmond).

Cumberland would take the opening kick off and march down the field using a 42 yard pass play to take an early 6-0 lead.

The Chargers answered back on their second offensive series as Keaun Baskerville scored from 25 yards away. Ben Atkins added the extra point and Central led 7-6. The Chargers would score again on their next series after big defensive plays by Kester Long and Brandon Williams. This time Dashawn Moore would score from 3 yards away and Central led 14-6.

Cumberland continued their early strong play on offense as they would get a 95 yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-14, but that would be all the Dukes would do offensively on the night.

Central used a 12 play drive to march down the field on the next series to score. Moore added a 5-yard touchdown and Central surged ahead 21-14.

The teams would go to the half following a Raymond Alexander sack with the score still 21-14.

Central took the opening kick of the third quarter and marched down the field once again with Baskerville scoring from 5 yards out to put the Chargers up 28-14. Central quickly stopped the Dukes and Josh Paynter found Alexander on a 32 yard pass completion. Brandon Scott would score from 10 yards out and Central led 34-14.

Dashawn Moore picked up two touchdowns and over 100 yards rushing in the Chargers’ regular season finale win over Cumberland (Photo by Ellie Richmond).

The game would continue much the same in the fourth quarter as Paynter found Alexander on a 15-yard TD pass. Dontae Crowder would score from 15 yards away late in the game and Central cruised to a 48-14 win.

Baskerville would finish the day with 21 carries for 257 yards unofficially and Moore ended up with 120 yards on 21 carries. Paynter was 2 for 3 for 45 yards passing.

Central hosts Lancaster Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in the first round of the 1A East playoffs.