MIDDLEBURG – With an intensity of a county rivalry game, including a collection of penalty flags on both sides, Middleburg High football exacted a bit of it’s seasonal frustrations with a 44-6 knockout of Ridgeview High in a Monday night football extravaganza at Middleburg High. The game was moved due to Hurricane Ian last week. Middleburg (2-4) will turn around quickly to host Clay (2-3) on Friday.

Middleburg struck quickly and decisively on both sides of the ball with cornerback Jaden Boyd snagging two first half interceptions; one for a 50 yard to the Panther three and a score, while T.J. Lane and Mike Mitchell traded running blows to the Panthers defense, led by linebackers Hunter Creech and Rayhn Hutchinson. Mitchell scored twice in the first half; one a sideline 45 yarder, the other a 21 yarder on the Broncos initial series. The first touchdown saw three penalty flags on the field after the two point conversion run by Mitchell indicating both teams were set to defend the rivalry.

“When you have two guys like T.J. and Mike running behind that offensive line, that’s a tough call for any defense,” said Middleburg coach Ryan Wolfe. “We still have to stop the penalties.”

Boyd’s first interception came with just three minutes off the clock near midfield and the Bronco offense at the Panther 35.

Lane rocked his first carry for 16 yards off center Dakota Gober and left guard Landen Padgett.

Ridgeview quarterback Richard Lewis and running back Sheppard Bridges was successful in thwarting the Bronco defensive front of Demarion Suggs and Tucker Cody with Lewis hitting passes for two first downs to 6’-3” receiver Deshun Green, but Middleburg held on fourth down to put the Bronco offense back on the field near midfield. Hutchinson chased Middleburg quarterback Jaydan Jenkins and got an intentional grounding on the near-sack that put Middleburg at second and 25 to go and the Bronco 26.

Mitchell rumbled 22 yards off left tackle to make up the penalty yards to a third and three. Lane romped to the first down at the 38 yard line where Mitchell dropped a wide open pass shot at the Panther five yard line. Jenkins got bottled up by Collier Stevens to put Middleburg at third and six before Mitchell zipped left to paydirt for a 16-0 lead.

Bronco cornerback Toshombee Jenkins mishandled his own interception near the Bronco 30 before Boyd got his second pick and returned it to the three yard line where Jenkins finished the work on a plunge behind guard Khoda Moses to end the first period, 24-0.

Middleburg, off a Toshombee Jenkins interception at midfield, would get a touchdown pass to wide out Jaden Levy just before halftime before second and third stringers finished the game.