For its first seven years, Hanover had a dismal record against Varina – in fact, the Hawks had never beaten the Blue Devils. For a while in the first quarter on Friday night, it looked like they might go another year without breaking Varina’s chokehold.

  Despite giving up two quick touchdowns on their home field, however, the second-ranked Hawks settled down and slowly took over in every aspect of the game, grinding down and dominating No. 8 Varina as they claimed a 49-28 Capital District victory.

  It was a milestone victory in what is turning out to be a milestone year. Last week Hanover (2-0 Capital, 5-0) defeated Highland Springs for the first time. It is the first time in more than a decade that any team has defeated both the Blue Devils (1-1, 2-3) and the Springers.

  For Hanover coach Josh Just, it was a big win on a big stage.

  “It was really good for us. It really helps our confidence,” Just said. “To never beat a team like that … to be down by 14, facing that adversity, and to have the kids bear down and make some plays, it was fun for me to see.”

  The Blue Devils scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead midway rough the quarter. But the Hawks kept calm – they were calmer than their coach.

  “They were pretty calm the whole time,” Just said. “They got together and said ‘we’ve got to shore things up, come together, and quit making mistakes.’ ”
  For Hanover quarterback Sam Rogers, confidence was key.

  “Our offense had a lot of confidence. We knew we could score on any drive we wanted to,” Rogers said. “We made a couple of mistakes held us back from scoring on a couple of drives, but we ended up taking advantage of our opportunities.”

  Rogers certainly took advantage of his opportunities, completing 7-of-8 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns – on passes of 53 and 37 yards to Blake Underdown. Rogers also rushed 16 times for 106 yards and one more touchdown, a 61-yard scamper mid-way through the second quarter.

  Rogers had plenty of help, however. One of the biggest was his compatriot in the backfield, Deane Cheatham, who rushed 22 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns, on 2- and 24-yard runs. Cheatham wasn’t going to take all the credit for his success, however.

  “It’s a team game,” Cheatham said. “The offensive line – they go, I go. I can’t do anything without them. Our offensive line has improved over the years, which has helped us win more games. That’s the bottom line.”

  Underdown finished with three catches for 108 yards. Rogers’ other main targets was Tre Facison, who caught three passes for 76 yards, including a 32-yard pass in the third quarter even though surrounded by three Varina defenders.

  “They were playing man, but when the ball was in the air [the defenders] started flying to him,” Rogers said. “We have a lot of confidence in Tre, he’s a heck of an athlete. We threw it to him and he made the play.”

  Varina looked strong at the start. Its first scoring drive lasted two plays, a 44-yard pass from Jeremy Eubank to Andre Wood to give them a first-and-goal at the 1, and a 1-yard run by Dashawn Bostic. Cody McDaniel’s kick made it 7-0.

  On the next drive the Blue Devils took four plays to cover 78 yards. Eubank’s 58-yard pass to De’Chavon Hayes and Breon Jones 16-yard run set up a first-and-goal at the 9-yard line. A Hanover offsides penalty put the ball at the 5, and Eubanks ran in the rest of the way. McDaniel added the extra point.

  After that, however, they struggled to find a weakness in Hanover’s defense. The Hawks forced five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumbles – and the offense converted four of those turnovers into touchdowns.

  “The defense relies on us and we rely on our defense,” Rogers said. “When they make plays, it’s on us to take advantage of those opportunities.”

  Varina coach Stu Brown said Hanover’s performance was typical.

  “They played Hanover football,” Brown said. “They’re a very physical football team. … They ran the ball down our throat and we couldn’t move the ball after those two possessions.”
 
Varina…...................... 14 0 7 7—28
Hanover…................. 7 21 14 7—49
V – Bostic 1 run (McDaniel kick)
V – Eubank 5 run (McDaniel kick)
H – Cheatham 2 run (Palmen kick)
H – Underdown 52 pass from Rogers (Palmen kick)
H – Rogers 61 run (Palmen kick)
H – Cheatham 24 run (Palmen kick)
H – Underdown 27 pass from Rogers (Palmen kick)
H – Haynesworth 61 fumble recovery (Palmen kick)
V – Hayes 29 run (McDaniel kick)
H – Cheatham 1 run (Palmen kick)
V – Jones 25 pass from Canady (McDaniel kick)

RUSHING: Varina – Bostic 2 carries 6 yards, Hayes 14-45, Jones 3-19, Eubank 5-29, Hopkins 1-30, Wood 1-(minus 6), Canady 1-40. Hanover – Rogers 16-106, Cheatham 22-118, Mahmood 1-1, Bazala 6-8, Knizner 2-2.

PASSING: Varina – Eubank 6 completions 19 attempts 133 yards, 3 interceptions, Canady 1-1-25-0. Hanover – Rogers 7-8-192-0.
RECEIVING: Varina – Wood 3 receptions 54 yards, Hayes 1-58, Tate 1-3, Canady 1-18, Jones 1-25. Hanover – Facison 3-76, Underdown 3-108, Brooks 1-8.