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Central High School’s varsity football team earned its first victory of the 2019 season in dominant fashion Friday night, blowing out visiting Bluestone High School 44-6.

“The boys played pretty hard,” Chargers Head Coach Will Thomas said. “It was good to get a win.”

After studying the Barons, Central did not enter the game with expectations of a 38-point victory.

“I didn’t think it was going to turn out that way,” Thomas said. “We were really expecting a battle.”

He noted that Bluestone’s offense was young and improving, but Central caused problems for it.

“We got after them on defense,” the coach said. “We really put them in a bind, and our field position in the first quarter really kind of helped us. It was some short drives, and I think we got a safety somewhere along the way, but our defense really played good.”

Strong field position helped explain why the Chargers’ potent run game did not feature any rusher with more than 67 yards. The rest of the explanation came as Thomas revealed that he pulled his starters after the first half as Central led 37-0 at halftime.

Leading the Chargers on offense was senior Daquan “Lee Man Lee” Lee with 13 carries for 67 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, senior Kawonté Ragsdale was outstanding, recording five tackles, including four solo and three for a loss, and he also caused the fumble that led to the safety.

Central (1-2) travels to face Buckingham County High School on Friday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

“Buckingham’s just a good team, and they’re well-coached,” Thomas said. “… They’ve got it all.”