By Titus Mohler

The K-V Dispatch

Central High School’s varsity football team went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the James River District on Friday through one half, but turnovers helped visiting Amelia County High School pull away in the second half to win 63-49, spoiling the Chargers’ homecoming game and snapping their four-game win streak.

“We couldn’t stop anybody,” Central Head Coach Will Thomas said. “… They scored pretty easily on us, and altogether, we were confused and played pretty poorly. Even on offense, we had a few turnovers. We had a few missed assignments that kind of got us and some penalties at some key times, so we kind of struggled on both sides of the ball, I thought.”

He said that his team knew it was in for a challenge against Amelia, which is now 7-1, 6-0 in the district, but he added that Central had a golden opportunity to take an early lead in the second half only to come up empty via a blocked field goal. The game was tied 28-28 at halftime.

Despite the loss, junior running back/defensive back Dontae Crowder had an outstanding game. He had 20 carries for 206 yards and three touchdowns on offense and 10 total tackles, including two solo tackles, on defense.

Sophomore fullback/linebacker Darien Jones gained 122 yards and two scores on 14 carries, and he led the Chargers on defense with 11 total tackles, one of which was solo.

Sophomore defensive lineman Tae Ragsdale finished with 10 tackles, one solo, one for loss, and two forced fumbles.

Central (4-5) closes its regular season Nov. 3 when it visits Nottoway High School at 7 p.m.

“We’ve got a week off to kind of prepare,” Thomas said of the Chargers’ bye this week. “That’s the best thing, I guess. At least I hope it’s a good thing.”