Caissons Battle RMA to Bitter End
By Cadet Daniel May ‘15, Battalion S-5
photo gallery at: FMS Battles HMA
Fishburne Military School controlled the game early on at home in Waynesboro, VA.
The Caissons went into Friday’s game against Randolph Macon 0 and 3, but you wouldn’t have thought that watching the first quarter.
The game started with the Yellow Jackets taking over at the 20. After a first down they were forced to punt. The Caissons took full advantage as Quarterback Tyler Braun led an efficient drive that resulted in a Quesan Napier rushing touchdown.
The Caissons would keep the pressure on for the rest of the first quarter as Trevor Norman scored on a punt return. At the end of the first quarter the score was 14-0 Fishburne.
The second quarter started with an RMA touchdown off a rushing play from inside the 5 yard line. Making the score 7 to 14. Fishburne responded with a couple first downs but were forced to punt. RMA returned the ensuing punt to Fishburne’s 35 yard line. On the next possession the Yellow Jackets used several effective runs to setup a rushing touchdown from inside the 5 yard line to notch the game at 14. After both teams failed to score, the game went into half time knotted up at 14.
The second half would start out much like the first half as Fishburne opened with another rushing touchdown from Quesan Napier. The Fishburne defense stepped up again with a safety, making the score 23 to 14. Fishburne would fumble the ball on the next possession but the defense tightened up and forced a punt. The Fishburne offense drove down to the 25 but turned it over on downs. On the next possession RMA ran the ball in for a touchdown, putting the score at 21 to 16.
At the start of the fourth quarter, on fourth down, the Caissons attempted a fake punt on their own 35, however it was stopped and the Yellow Jackets took over on downs. After driving it down to the one yard line the Caissons stopped the Yellow Jackets on a crucial 4th and goal. However, the offense would be forced to punt on their own one giving the Yellow Jackets great field position which they would later turn into a rushing touchdown. Randolph Macon faked an extra point attempt to convert a two point conversion.
Score: 23 to 29
The tension was palpable at Anderson Field as the Caissons needed to drive the length of the field to win. On Fourth down at mid-field Napier dropped back but the pass was broken up and the Caissons turned it over on downs.
Although Fishburne lost the game the Caissons showed class and heart in defeat. From the first whistle to the final play every player left it all out on the field.
The next game will be at home against archrival Massanutten next week on Parents Military weekend.
Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college-acceptance rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org.
