By Logan Riddick / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
Albemarle introduced a new starting quarterback coming off its bye week, but senior tailback Niko Troche and a smothering Patriots’ defense proved to be the headline-makers in a 37-0 shutout at Commonwealth District rival Orange County.
Starting the game, sophomore D.G. Archer led the Patriots on an 80-yard drive covering 5:07 with an effective mix of runs and passes. Junior Drake Bryant capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run. Following an Orange three-and-out, Albemarle failed to instigate another drive and faced 4th and 17. However, junior quarterback Peyton Alley, positioned in the backfield in punt formation, took the snap and found Troche uncovered for a 46-yard score.
“That’s a read by Peyton,” said Albemarle coach Mike Alley. “He’s our searchlight. He read a blitz on the outside linebacker, so that’s when he hit Niko for the touchdown.”
After another Orange three-and-out, Albemarle took over at the Hornets’ 32. Archer hit Dominique Talley for 18 yards and, three plays later, Troche ran in from 6 yards as the first quarter ended with the Patriots up 21-0.
After an Albemarle punt pinned Orange at its own 1-yardline in the second quarter, a third down snap went awry and a gang of Patriots tackled backup quarterback Antonio Murphy for a safety. The ensuing Patriot possession featured another Archer pass to Talley for 16 yards, and four Troche runs for 27 yards and a touchdown. Albemarle mounted one more charge before halftime with Troche’s best run of the night, a 56-yard touchdown, to secure a commanding 37-0 lead, and a running second-half clock.
“[Nick] got banged up two Fridays ago, so we weren’t really able to utilize him until the last few days of practice,” said Alley. “He’s an explosive back and we’re just glad to have him.”
While the run game appears secure in Troche and Bryant’s hands, the Patriots will likely continue playing both options at quarterback going forward between Alley and Archer.
“We feel comfortable with both,” Alley said. “Peyton’s been beat up a couple games. We thought D.G. should play this game and gave him a shot. I think he did a great job, and then Peyton came in and did a nice job with the touchdown pass. We love them both, so it’s really no controversy. If we could just kind of put them together, it’d be great.”
Meanwhile, injuries have devastated the Hornets’ offense, which continues without quarterback Garret Johnson, who went down two weeks ago in a game at Culpeper. Orange struggled to avoid negative yardage on most plays, and did not record a first down until their first possession of the second half. Junior Isaiah Ferguson started at quarterback and played most of the first half, but attempted only one pass, which was caught for -2 yards. Junior lineman Antonio Murphy (5-foot-9, 239 lbs) also took snaps at quarterback throughout the game in passing situations, and played the entire fourth quarter. He finished 1 of 7, completing the Hornets’ only positive passing play for 9 yards.
“[The quarterback situation] is tough,” said Orange coach John Kayajanian. “Last week, I thought we moved the ball because no one had seen it. But it’s tough, really, if you can’t throw the ball, have a forward pass. People are going to put eight, nine guys in the box.”
Alley acknowledged the benefit of a scouting trip to the Orange-Stafford game during the Patriots’ bye week.
“We saw that they ran that Louisa-style offense with the double wings and the criss-cross, and we didn’t have any film on that,” said Alley. “It’s something we really had to work on this past week.”
The brightest spot for Orange, which finished with -5 yards of total offense, was Mikael Wallace, who had (positive) 28 yards rushing on his first two carries. For Albemarle, Troche finished with 120 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns, as well as the fake punt touchdown reception.
Both teams look ahead to district opponents. Orange (1-3, 0-2) faces struggling Brooke Point (0-4, 0-2) at home next Friday. Albemarle (1-3, 1-1) welcomes Mountain View (3-2, 1-2) with hopes of making some noise in its final year in the Commonwealth District.
“Hopefully this win tonight gave a message to the Commonwealth District that we’re a good team this year,” said Troche. “(We’re) looking forward to Mountain View and just taking one week at a time.”
