Titans take control late to hand Eagles defeat

Colby Childs leads the Eagles offensive attack   
                   Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

STERLING PARK, Va.-  The Clarke County Eagles (0-1) opened their 2018 season on a field that will not see many if any more Friday night football games.

The Eagles faced the Dominion Titans (1-0) at Park View High School, due to the fact Dominion's field is undergoing conversion to artificial turf and was not ready for their home opener so the game was played at the crosstown Patriot's Stadium. With Dominion coming out on top with a 25-14 win.

Last year the two teams opened their seasons in Berryville with the Eagles pulling a stunning 39-24 upset after trailing at the half.

It looked as the Eagles may pull off another upset as they led 14-3 at the half, and 14-10 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The Titans were able to pull away in the 4th quarter scoring two touchdowns, even a bad snap on an extra point turned into a two point conversion the Titans.

"I'm proud of the way our guys played tonight,"Eagles coach Chris Parker said. "They never gave up and fought hard the entire game, that's Clarke County Football."

Dominion took advantage of good field position and scored a field goal on their opening drive.

Clarke then put together two impressive drives with quarterback Colby Childs hitting Kyle Baylor, who went high and made an athletic catch at the one and went in for the Eagles first score.

"We came in as underdogs, nobody gave us a chance," Childs said. "We all played hard and Kyle [Baylor] made a great play on the touchdown pass."

Childs was 9 of 13 passing for 105 yards and 1 td and also mixed it up well gaining another 28 yards on 9  carries.

Peyton Rutherford fights for yardage   Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

The Eagles got their other score at the end of the first half when Peyton Rutherford burst in from the 2 yard line.

The Eagles coaching staff used good clock management stopping the clock at 2 seconds after a Childs scramble to the ball to the 2 yard line.

Rutherford ended up with 83 yards on 26 carries and 1 td. The leading rusher for Clarke also had several good plays on the Eagles defensive side of the ball.

Running back Kyle Baylor also performed well going both ways and returning punts and kicks. Baylor 52 yards on 10 carries and caught 4 passes for 56 yards and one touchdown.

Kyle Baylor runs to daylight               Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

Hydration became an issue for both teams midway through the quarter with several key players missing some downs.

"Hydration is not something you can get around by conditioning," Parker said. "Our guys are in great shape and we have been conditioning very hard but they gave it everything they had and it took it's toll, but our guys never stopped."

Peyton Rutherford played hard on both sides of the ball making a tackle        Photo by Doug Aylestock / CCS

The Eagles were supposed to travel this week to Manassas Park. That game has been cancelled due to the fact Manassas Park cancelled their season for lack of participation. The Eagles will play West Point on the final week of the season, their original bye date.

The Eagles, off this week will return to home to "the Felt" on Friday September 7 to host the Handley Judges who defeated Warren County 15-14 in a thriller at the Handley Bowl. Kickoff is 7:30PM

Doug Aylestock's complete game gallery can be seen at his Photography Concepts Facebook Page:

Clarke at Dominion Photo's by Doug Aylestock

Game Highlights Can be viewed below on the Clarke County Sports Game of the Week

Redskins slug out last second win over Jets

Dustin Hopkins 5 for 5        Doug Aylestock / CCS

LANDOVER, Md.- The Washington Redskins had a chance to look at most of their squad as they opened their home preseason against the New York Jets on Thursday August 16. Dustin Hopkins kicked 5 field goals, including the game winner with no time remaining.

When asked about Hopkins 40 yard winning field goal Redskins head coach Jay Gruden had this to say, "We evaluate all the situations, so it’s important. It’s a big kick for [Dustin] [Hopkins], a big snap for [Nick] Sundberg, and a big hold for Tress Way. I don’t care, its still good work for them. There’s big time protection on that play."

Most of the starters saw limited action and the offense scored on their opening drive as Alex Smith played his only series of the night going 4 of 6 for 48 yards and a qb rating of 91.

The drive stalled and the Redskins got the first of their five field goals. Smith was welcomed to Washington with a sack on his first play from scrimmage.

Alex Smith 4 of 6 for 48 yards                      Doug Aylestock  / CCS

“To be honest, you know, it’s almost a blessing to go out there. You haven’t played in a long time; you haven’t taken a hit. We’ve been wearing, you know, yellow jerseys all off-season and to kind of get that first shot, get the completion, it was nice."Smith said, "A nice way to start it off kind of get the cob webs out, get you back into football mode right away."

Colt McCoy received the most work of the quarterback trio. McCoy had a decent night going 12 of 16 for 140 yards and 1 interception. McCoy and the Redskins second unit played much of the time against the Jet's first unit.

McCoy hit wide receiver Cam Sims for a touchdown, but it was called back on a penalty against the Redskins.

"Well, I wish I would have seen the catch. I think we got the penalty for it, and we got a lot of yards out of it.”McCoy said.

Rookie linebacker Jarod Fernandez out of NC State paced the defense with 3 solo tackles, 3 assists, and 2 sacks. Troy Apke and Prince Charles Iworah each had an interception for the Redskins defense.

Samjae Perine battles with Jets defender Doug Middleton                                      Doug Aylestock / CCS

Trey Quinn "Mr. Irrelevant" makes a clutch catch on final drive                             Doug Aylestock  /  CCS

To view Doug's complete photo gallery from the game go to:

Washington Redskins vs NY Jets Photo's by Doug Aylestock

The Clarke County Sports Locker Room show can be viewed below

Hokie rookies look to make impact at training camp

RICHMOND, Va.- Three rookies are trying to break into the 2018 Washington Redskins lineup, and all three are on the defense.

Rookie lineman Tim Settle             Doug Aylestock / CCS

Defensive linemen Tim Settle was drafted in the fifth round, and defensive back Greg Stroman was drafted in the seventh round. Adonis Alexander was a sixth round supplemental draft choice and missed all of the OTA's and mini camp. Alexander signed with the team just prior to the start of training camp.

Settle, a Stonewall Jackson (Manassas) graduate, Settle did not play as a true freshman in 2015 and chose to redshirt.

As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Settle played in all 14 of Virginia Tech's games, recording 17 tackles (seven for loss), two quarterback hurries and one blocked kick. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman Second-Team.

In 2017, as a redshirt sophomore, he played in 13 games, tallying 36 tackles (12.5 for loss), four sacks, one pass deflection, two quarterback hurries, and one blocked kick. Following the season, he was named to the 2017 All-ACC Second-Team. On January 4, 2018, Settle decided to forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and enter the draft.(1)

Rookie DB Greg Stroman                 Doug Aylestock / CCS

Stroman originally also attended Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas. As a freshman, Stroman made an immediate impact for the Hokies on special teams as he fielded 36 punts for 249 yards. In his sophomore season, he recorded 27 punt returns for 109 yards and collecting 24 tackles on defense.

In his junior season, Stroman tied for second in the ACC in both pass breakups (11, including one for a touchdown) and interceptions (four for 47 yards). He added 20 total tackles and 36 punts returned for 397 yards and two touchdowns on special teams. Stroman ranks second all-time in Virginia Tech history with six career return scores, trailing just DeAngelo Hall (seven). In the 2015 Independence Bowl against Tulsa, he had a career-long punt return of 67 yards. (1)

Alexander, from Charlotte, NC attended Independence High School. Alexander played in 34 games for Virginia Tech, recording 35 tackles and 7 interceptions. (2)

The rookies all spoke with the media after Saturday's practice, that video can be seen below.

(1) Wikipedia (Settle, Stroman Bios)

(2) Hokiesports.com (Alexander Stats)

Beathard enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

On Saturday, Bobby Beathard became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Beathard worked for several different teams during his career but made his biggest impact as General Manager of the Washington Redskins from 1978 through 1989.

Beathard's finest hour came with the hiring of NFL Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, who presented Beathard on Saturday. Beathard was also responsible for signing such greats as Hall of Famer, Darrell Green and fan favorite, wide out Gary Clark.

During the strike season of 1987 Beathard was responsible for putting together a strike team, along with Charley Casserly, that went 3-0 and helped propel the team to their first Superbowl victory.

Beathard was inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame during the homecoming alumni day game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Beathard during the 2012 Alumni Day Game        Moe Murphy / CCS

Davis shows no signs of slowing down

Vernon Davis enters his 13th season in the NFL     Doug Aylestock /CCS

RICHMOND, Va.-  As the heat beats down on the practice field at the Washington Redskins Bon Secours Training Facility, Vernon Davis remains after practice to catch bullet passes from the automated punting machine.

 "You enter into the NFL as a young guy, I mean you don't know too much, Davis said."You're trying to work yourself in,  you want to be the best player you can possibly be but you know it starts with hard work, dedication, perseverance and learning from the older guys.

As you go throughout your years in the NFL you either get better or you get worse. And I feel like I’ve been good as far as listening, observing, taking care of my body, making sure I’m mentally strong when it comes to challenges in life and in my career.

Davis enters his thirteenth season in the NFL, his third with the Redskins. He attributes his longevity in the league to  his mental and spiritual beliefs and proven work ethics.

Davis will reunite this season with his former San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith. He is very excited about that reunion.

"I think right now Alex, he's in the best space he could possibly be in." Davis said, " I respect him so much [for] his career, everything he stands for, his integrity, his character. He's a great asset to have to this team and I'm just extremely elated to have him."

Photo's by Doug Aylestock / Clarke County Sports  2018

DeAngelo Hall makes it official, he's retiring

RICHMOND, Va.- It's not like most people didn't know it was coming, but yesterday at the Washington Redskins training camp, Hall officially announced his retirement. "Yes  guys, so you probably have heard, I'm sure your heard months ago, but after fourteen seasons of professional football, I will be officially retiring today." Hall said.

The long time defensive leader of the Redskins had unofficially made it known he was retiring a while back, but in the case with many professional athletes that decision can be changed, it's a tough life changing decision.

 "To be a kid from Chesapeake, Va. to play at Virginia Tech and grow up a huge Darrell Green fan and Washington Redskin fan. I mean  it's been a dream to put on the Burgundy and Gold for the past 10 years." Hall said.

Hall talked with the media at last years mini camp. That video can be seen below.

Hall's official retirement press conference can be viewed at

DeAngelo Hall retirement press conference

Photo's by Moe Murphy / Clarke County Sports