Jimmy Moreland excited to be a Redskin

Jimmy Moreland concentrates at Camp   photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

ASHBURN, Va.- Jimmy Moreland, the consensus 1st team All American cornerback out of James Madison University admits he was worried when it got into the seventh round of the NFL Draft and his name hadn't been called.

"It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders." Moreland said, "I didn't think I was gonna get a call that late, after the Redskins called it just felt like an accomplishment lifted up, I've been through a lot, I'm just glad I'm here now."

Moreland, from Royal Palm Beach, Florida has gotten used to this area, after starting four seasons for the Dukes. Last year as a Red Shirt senior Moreland

"You know [I went to school] two hours from here. When I got here, most people already knew who I was. A couple of people knew where I was from – Belle Glade, Florida." Moreland said.

Jimmy Moreland breaks up a pass in one on one drills                                             Photo by Doug Aylestock  /  CCS

Moreland is JMU's first NFL Draft selection since 2013 when former offensive lineman Earl Watford was taken in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals. He's also the second JMU cornerback to ever be taken in the Draft, joining 2010 sixth-round selection Scotty McGee.

To date, 10 former JMU stars are currently on active NFL rosters, including six from the 2016 national-championship team.

One of those 10 is team mate Andrew Ankrah, a linebacker listed on the roster as a first year veteran, who recently signed a 3 year deal with the team has been helping his fellow team mate out.

"After I got up here, Andrew called me immediately. Asked me if I need anything, and he helps me learn the ropes on and off the field." Moreland said.

Jimmy Moreland speaks with Moe Murphy

Another season begins

ASHBURN, Va.- The Washington Redskins held their annual Rookie / Free Agent camp this past weekend at the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park.

All of the 2019 draft selections along with several college free agents and invited 1st year veterans were present.

First round selections Dwayne Haskins and Montez Sweat garnered much of the attention, both standing out in their performances.

Dwayne Haskins runs the Redskins offense  Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

When asked about Haskins running the offense, Redskins coach Jay Gruden replied, "It’s been positive. It's been a good experience so far to get to know him, get some plays and watch him learn and then watch him take it to the field. Yesterday, he had a great day. Today the defense played a little better, but it’s just a matter of progression right now and installation. We’re at the very bare minimum right now, but I’m very impressed with his skillset for sure. He can really spin it."

Sweat was equally impressive to the coaching staff.  "I have no doubt that he’s going to play a lot," Gruden said. "The skillset that he has is quite evident. You see his length and then you watch him run after practice and he’s faster than anybody we have probably right now.

Montez Sweat's blazing speed has people talking                       Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

The following day the Redskins signed five of the college free agents to contracts. Details of the contracts were not provided.

The following players were signed: Jonathan Bonner, 6'4 295 pound defensive end from Notre Dame, Jerald Foster, 6'3 210 pound guard from Nebraska, Deion Harris, 6'3 197 pound defensive back from North Dakota, Austin Maloata, 6'2 283 pound defensive lineman from Austin Peay, and Craig Reynolds, 5'11 215 pound running back from Kutztown.

Craig Reynolds was signed to a contract after the workouts                             Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

Austin Maloata signed to help shore defensive line                          Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

The next OTA will be held Monday, May 20. Check back at Clarke County Sports for more Redskins Coverage also check our Facebook page and twitter feed.

Redskins Rookie Camp Photo Gallery by Doug Aylestock

ASHBURN, Va.- Clarke County Sports senior photographer Doug Aylestock was on hand to capture the 2019 Redskins Rookie and free agent tryout camp.

Photo's by Doug Aylestock / CCS

Enjoy the Show !

Redskins select Haskins and Sweat in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft

ASHBURN, Va.-  The Washington Redskins utilized two first round picks to grab a highly sought after quarterback and a pass rushing specialist in this years 2019 NFL Draft held last Thursday through Saturday in Nashville.

Ohio State Quarterback Dwayne Haskins was the Redskins 1st pick and the 15th overall pick in the first round.

Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins  Courtesy OSU AD

The selection of Haskins marks the third time in the last five years that the Redskins have selected an offensive player in the first round, joining the selections of G Brandon Scherff (2015) and WR Josh Doctson (2016). It marks the team’s first time making three offensive first-round selection in that length of time since the 2000-02 drafts, when the team selected T Chris Samuels (2000), WR Rod Gardner (2001) and QB Patrick Ramsey (2002).

“We’re excited to have him,” head coach Jay Gruden said following the first night of the draft. “Great kid, great player and very smart. I had a chance to talk to him at the Combine. We flew him in here, had a long talk with him, went to dinner with him and spent a lot of time with him. We feel really good about where he is as a player and where he’s going.”

Haskins, who had a record-setting season for the Buckeyes in 2018 with 50 touchdown passes and 4,831 yards passing.  A Heisman Trophy finalist, Haskins is the fourth Ohio State quarterback drafted since 2000, and the first since Cardale

Jones was chosen in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Buffalo. Recent Ohio State quarterbacks drafted also include Troy Smith (5th round by Baltimore in 2007) and Craig Krenzel (5th by Chicago in 2004).

"Expectations are to work as hard as I can, do all I can and be a part of this position [group] and this franchise,” Haskins said. “I'm looking forward to contributing in any way possible and just get down and work. I'm just excited to be a part of something special and be a part of a team again. I am looking forward to calling the Redskins my home. Things will come and I'm just going to do everything I can to be ready."

Mississippi St LB Montez Sweat    Photo Courtesy MSU Athletics

The Redskins had the luxury of two first round draft picks and used their second pick to draft Linebacker Montez Sweat from Mississippi State with the 26th overall pick.

Sweat is the 11th defensive player selected by the Redskins in the first round since 1999, joining CB Champ Bailey (1999), LB LaVar Arrington (2000), S Sean Taylor (2004), CB Carlos Rogers (2005), S LaRon Landry (2007), DE/LB Brian Orakpo (2009), LB Ryan Kerrigan (2011), DL Jonathan Allen (2017), and DT Daron Payne (2018). Nine of the 10 defensive players selected by the Redskins in the first round in that time frame have earned at least one Pro Bowl selection during their career.

Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden was pleased with the pick.  "I think when you watched him as a player throughout his college career and then you watched him at the Senior Bowl and Combine. The measurables are second to none as far as an edge rusher, outside linebacker-type player. If you’re 6-foot-6, run a 4.41 forty and you have the production he had at Mississippi State and you performed like he did at the Senior Bowl, it just is a perfect fit for us. Losing Preston like I said and to go alongside with Ryan Anderson, Ryan Kerrigan, obviously Cassanova McKinzy. I think it’s a perfect fit for us.”

For his career, Sweat recorded 101 tackles (29.5 for loss) and 22 sacks over 26 games.

"My emotions were going everywhere, Sweat said. " It was low-key a series of some doubts like, 'Why am I dropping so far? 'What's going on?' I was just wondering what's going on and then the Redskins called me and they changed my whole persona, everything, the way I was feeling. Now they definitely have a winner in me."

Check back for more Redskins Draft coverage.....

Eagles season ends at the hands of the Bison

BERRYVILLE, VA.- The Clarke County Eagles ended their season today in the bitter cold at Wilbur M. Feltner stadium, falling to the Buffalo Gap Bison 32-21. Both teams played a very physical game and the Bison pulled away in the fourth quarter to advance to the second round. They will play East Rockingham.

The Eagles got two scores from Kyle "Mr. Excitement" Baylor, one on a rush another on the receiving end of a 52 yard touchdown pass from Colby Childs. Peyton Rutherford added the Eagles other score with a rushing touchdown.

Childs, Rutherford and Head Coach Chris Parker speak with Clarke County Sports after the game. The post game show can be seen below.  Check back later for more game coverage and photography from Doug Aylestock.

Redskins hold off Panthers for third win

Adrian Peterson runs out of his shoe  Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

LANDOVER, Md.- The Washington Redskins held off a determined Carolina Panther team Sunday at FedEx Field capturing their third win of the season with a 27-23 victory.

The win snapped a 6 game losing streak to the Panthers, the Redskins last defeated Carolina on November 28, 2006 at FedEx Field 17-13. The Redskins  hold an 8-6 series lead.

"You're going to face adversity and we have to meet it. It was great to see our guys bounce back after a tough performance on Monday night on a short week against a very talented and very well coached Carolina Panther football team, so I'm happy," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "You know, [we're] 3-2 right now and we faced adversity throughout the game but everybody kept fighting and stayed together, stayed positive and finished the game. "

Adrian Peterson had a big day rushing for 97 yards on 17 carries, playing through pain that was evident, many of his team mates commented on how dedicated, and what a professional Peterson was.

“It’s definitely mind over matter, in a game when you usually have to bite down and put your best foot forward. Peterson said, "That’s what I did, I already had made up in my mind by Friday, ‘Hey I’m going to give it a go,’ and I know its going to be painful but it’s mind over matter and keep pressing. So that’s what I ended up doing.”

Josh Norman gets an interception   Photo by Doug Aylestock 

Josh Norman grabbed his first interception of the year, after coming under massive criticism after Monday's loss to New Orleans.

“It’s crazy. It’s fitting that, you know, that we break that little streak against them, the team that I was with. I guess we’ve got a flare for dramatics somehow." Norman said.

The Redskins will now start preparing for their biggest rival the Dallas Cowboys. The Boyz come in to FedEx Field next week and are set for a 4:25 Kick off on the Fox National Game of the Week.

Game Photo's by Doug Aylestock can be viewed at

Redskins vs Panthers Photo Gallery by Doug Aylestock

The Skins kept Cam Newton on the run all day.                              Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

Vernon Davis takes a seat with fans after scoring in the first quarter.        Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

  

Stats courtesy NFL.com 

This weeks CCS Locker Room Show includes: Adrian Peterson, Jordan Reed, Morgan Moses, D.J. Swearinger, and Trent Williams

Eagles stop late comeback by Rams

Peyton Rutherford adds 3 more td's    Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

BERRYVILLE, Va.- The Clarke County Eagles held off a strong comeback effort by the Strasburg Rams last night as the Eagles won 26-23.

Peyton Rutherford rushed for 3 touchdowns, and Colby Childs hit Danny Lyman for a touchdown pass. 

Childs was 13 of 15 for 93 yards and a TD, also rushed 8 times for 21 yards.

The Eagles(4-3, 1-1)  led 14-7 at the half, with the Rams (5-2, 1-1) taking an early second half lead after scoring and converting the two point conversion to go ahead 15-14. 

The Eagles then scored twice in the fourth quarter to take an 11 point 26-15 lead. The Rams came back with a long touchdown drive, aided by two 15 yard penalties and converted the two point play to draw within 3 at 26-23.

Kyle Baylor returns to action for the Eagles   Photo by Doug Aylestock/CCS 

After using their time outs and getting the ball deep in their own territory with just over two minutes to go, the Eagles were able to thwart the Rams on their final drive and were able to take a knee in the victory formation to capture the win.

The Eagles will finish out their 2018 home regular season schedule next week when they host the Madison County Mountaineers. Kick off 7:30PM on senior night.

Former Eagle Basketball and Football great Chandler Rhoads, now the head coach at Madison County will be honored with induction into the Clarke County High School Athletic Hall of Fame. 

The Inductions were last night, but Rhoads was unable to attend due to his coaching obligations.

The following former Eagle athletes were inducted last night. (more coverage coming). Charles Bailey, Daniel Callan, Jill Hobbs, Danielle Moyer and Joey Racer.

Please enjoy the Game of the Week, highlights, interviews, and more....

Game photo's by Doug Aylestock:

Complete gallery on Facebook  : Clarke vs Strasburg Photo's by Doug Aylestock

Eagles fall to Falcons in Bull Run Opener

WOODSTOCK, Va.- The Clarke County Eagles traveled to Woodstock on Friday to open their 2018 Bull Run District Schedule. Central held off a valiant effort by the Eagles to grab a 35-20 win.

The Eagles trailed at halftime 14-7, capped by a 17 yard touchdown pass from Colby Childs to Trey Trenary.

After trailing 28-7 the Eagles closed the gap to 28-20 but were unable to hold off a late Falcons drive that put the game out of reach.

Rutherford had 111 yards rushing, one touchdown on the ground and a 70 yard touchdown reception.

The postgame show can be viewed below.  Check  back for more game coverage and don't forget to like us on Facebook and Twitter.