It began as a simple solution from a scheduling stand point for both. Orange County and Madison County have a long standing tradition as out-of-district rivals, but playing in the regular season was problematic for the two. However, neither school wanted to surrender the profits earned at the gate. The solution — an exhibition benefit game.
“With Madison there’s always been a big rivalry and so there’s always a big crowd,” said Hornets athletic director Marc Cole. “It’s always a great gate and helps out both schools a lot.”
In the fourth installment of the benefit game between the Hornets and Mountaineers, it was a night for the skill positions with opposing receivers Amir Waller and Rashad Bolden providing the highlights as Orange won 44-19.
Waller broke his wrist last year in this game last season, but was dominant for the Hornets whenever quarterback Cameron Hughes looked his way. The senior wideout had seven catches for 113 yards, breaking loose on bubble screens, hauling in catches in double coverage and also coming up with a 10-yard fade in the back of the endzone. Waller tossed in a score on the ground too, this time from six yards out.
Bolden had a pair of big plays for the Mountaineers. With his team down by two scores the senior fired up the Madison fans by taking a short pass from Dustin Farmer 73 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. He had only one other reception on the night, and it wasn’t much different from the first, as he hauled in a deep throw from Farmer for 63 yards and took it to the house.
Lessons were learned on both sides. The Hornets got an early glimpse of what they expect to see a lot — defenses blitzing Hughes. With the passing attack as potent as it is, coach John Kayajanian wants his team to protect the junior quarterback.
“We have to give him a little more time,” Kayajanian said. “I think its no secret that if you’re going to play Orange, you’re going to come after Cameron. So we have to do a good job of protecting him, and at times we did (tonight).”
Hughes was 13 for 20 and threw for 213 yards and had two touchdowns and no interceptions. Tyrone Ellis and Tyler Seal also had strong outings for Orange. Ellis had 119 yards and three scores on the ground on 11 carries. Seal had an interception on defense to go with 52 yards on four catches and a touchdown.
For Madison, Dustin Farmer has won out the job to play under center and had a big game in the air while Orange closed down the Mountaineers rushing attack. Farmer had a game high 254 yards on 10 completitions and 15 attempts.
“I think we have a quarterback now,” Dean said. “We did a great job in the passing game and that’s something we can work with throughout the season. It’s very exciting to see.”
Madison also left more than a handful of points on the field in the redzone thanks to turnovers, and that’s something that Dean plans to address.
“That’s something we have got to work on,” Dean said. “We turned the ball over twice inside the thirty and that can’t happen.”
Bolden finished with 136 yards on his two catches. Travis Warren flashed his potential at receiver, bringing in three catches for 86 yards. Taking over for Dylan Shifflette at tight end, Andrew Alexander stepped up and had four catches for 43 yards. Terez Terrell had the most success on the ground for the Mountaineers with his 51 yards on nine touches.
Madison will open up the season on Friday on the road against Fluvanna County at 7:30 p.m.
Orange hosts Chancellor, also on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
