Month: October 2009

Virginia will receive to start the second half and Perry Jones returns it 20 yards to the UVA 34 yard line. 1st and 10, Sewell is back in the game and he throws incomplete to tight-end Colter Phillips. 2nd and 10, UVA Sewell hits Tim Smith in the left flat for a gain of 6 to the 40. 3rd and 4 UVA, Sewell is back in the customary shotgun and he hits Jared Green for a nice play over the middle, but there is a flag on the play! Roughing the passer on the Blue Devils. 1st and 10 UVA at the Duke 31, Sewell under center, he hands off to Jackson for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7, Sewell in the shotgun, hands off for a nifty run up the middle-left for a gain of 16! 1st and 10, Virginia and Sewell under center and he hands off again to Jackson for a gain of 1. 2nd and 9. Sewell hits Vic Hall at the 1 yard line, another UVA first down. 1st and 10 for UVA at the one and Sewell on the QB keeper is in for the score. The extra point is good and Virginia leads 10-9 with 11:38 to play in the third quarter. Whew…

Virginia kicks-off to Duke and the Blue Devils have it at their own 20 yard line. Duke has 1st and 10 and they hand off for a gain of 5. 2nd and 6 for Duke, Lewis in the shotgun and he keeps it for a gain of 3. 3rd and 2 for Duke, Lewis hits his receiver for a nice gain over the middle. Penalty flag on Virginia for holding. They decline the flag and it’s a gain of 12 for Duke. The ball is at the Duke 40, 1st and 10 and they hand-off to Scott for a gain of 2. 2nd and 8 for Duke, Lewis in the shotgun, he completes it to the TE Huffman for a nice gain of 7. 3rd and 1 Lewis keeps it for the first down. 1st and 10 for Virginia and it’s a hand-off for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7, Duke, and Lewis gets sacked by Dolce! 3rd and 12 for Duke at the Blue Devil 48 yard line. Duke is back in the shotgun and they will take the time-out. 3rd and 12 for Duke at their own 48, Lewis in the shotgun, back to pass and it’s almost picked off by Dom Joseph. Duke will have to punt to Minnifield and he fair-catches it at the 19.

UVA will begin the drive with 7:26 left in the third and Sewell hands-off to Jackson for a gain of 4. 2nd and 6 for UVA, Sewell hands it off to Jackson for a hard-driving carry up the left side for a gain of 6 and another 1st down. 1st and 10 for UVA, Sewell under center, he hands off to Simpson for 3 yards. 2nd and 7 for UVA Sewell hands off to Jackson for a gain of 4. 3rd and 3 for the Hoos, Sewell in the shotgun, and he did not even attempt to elude the rush as he is sacked. Loss of six on the sack. Rathgen is on to punt on 4th down and hits it for 41 yards and Duke returns it for 4 yards to their own 31.

1st and 10 for Duke with 4:19 to play in the third quarter. Lewis hits Conner Vernon for a nice gain over the middle, but he gets up talking smack, and they call a personal foul on him which will push them back. 1st and 10 for Duke, Lewis on the keeper gains three on the run. 2nd and 8 for Duke, Lewis misses his target over the middle. 3rd and 8 for Duke at their own 29 yard line with 3:17 to play in the third quarter, Lewis back to pass and it’s another incompletion.

UVA now has the ball and Sewell will go deep on first down, but no matter, it’s another holding call on Will Barker. 1st and 20 for UVA at their own 20, Sewell in the shotgun, hands-off to Simpson for a gain of 3. 2nd and 17 for UVA, Sewell throws it deep again and it’s incomplete to Kris Bird at the Duke 25. 3rd and 17, Sewell is in the shotgun again, and he throws an ugly at the knees pass incomplete to Simpson. Nathan Rathgen is on again to punt, and he lets it go rugby-style and Duke returns it to the Duke 38.

Duke 1st and 10, Lewis runs the option to the right side, and keeps it for a gain of three. 2nd and 7, Lewis in the shotgun for Duke, and he throws it complete to Varner for a nice gain. 1st and 10 for Duke and they hand off for a gain of 5. 2nd and 5, penalty flag on Duke. 2nd and 10, and that’s it for the third quarter. Virginia leads it 10-9 going into the fourth quarter. Duke has it at the UVA 27 yard-line on 2nd and 10, Lewis makes a nice complete pass to the 10 of UVA. 1st and 10 Duke, Lewis under center, hands off up the middle for a gain of 3 to Boyette. 2nd and 7 for Duke, incomplete in the end-zone. 3rd and 7 for Duke, and Lewis throws incomplete to the end-zone again. Duke will kick another field goal, and it’s good. 8 plays and a 55 yard drive for Duke. Duke now leads Virginia 12-10 with 13:50 to play.

Virginia will get the ball at the 40 because the Duke kicker kicked it straight out of bounds. 1st and 10 for UVA at their own 40, Sewell under center and he hands off to Jackson for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7 for Virginia as Sewell rolls out left and hits Phillips for a nice gain. It will be 3rd and 1 for Virginia, Sewell hands off to Jackson and he gets the first down. 1st and 10 for VA and Vic Hall gets it on the reverse for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7 for UVA, Sewell in the shotgun, and an incomplete pass. 3rd and 7 for Virginia, Sewell under center and it looks like the pass is incomplete for another first down. The officials will call for a mark and Virginia will have 4th and a yard. 4th and 1 for the Hoos, Sewell throws it down field to the wide open Torchia for the FIRST DOWN! The ball is at the Duke 19, 1st and ten Virginia, Sewell under center 11:22 to go in the game, Sewell in the shotgun, back to pass and it’s a touchdown to Joe Torchia! UVA now leads 16-12! The PAT team is on and the kick is up and it’s good. UVA leads 17-12 with 11:17 to go in the game.

Virginia kicks it off to Duke and the ball is caught at the 7 and returned it to the 23 as it’s 1st and 10 Duke. 1st and 10 ball is throw complete for 7. 2nd and 3, Duke throws it incomplete. 3rd and 3 for Duke at their own 30, Lewis in the shotgun and it’s complete to the Duke 42. 1st and 10 Duke, 10:13 to play, Lewis keeps it and gets2. 2nd and 8 Duke Lewis passes to Austin Kelly for a gain of 13. 1st and 10 Duke and Lewis hits a nice pass downfield to Kelly. 1st and 10 Duke at the UVA 3, Duke hands off to Boyette and Darren Childs is in the backfield for the tackle. 2nd and 7 for Duke at the UVA 7, Duke is in the shotgun with 8:12 to play, Lewis back to pass and he throws incomplete. 3rd and 7 for Duke, big play, Lewis and it’s intercepted by Chase Minnifield in the end-zone! Whew!
Virginia has the ball at their 20 with 8:00 minutes to go and Jackson carries it for a gain of 2. 2nd and 7 for the Hoos, Sewell under center and he hands-off to Jackson to the right side for a loss of one on the play. 3rd and 9 at the UVA 22, Sewell scrambling and he gets three to the 24. 4th and 6 for VA and they will punt the ball to the Duke 33 yard line. 1st and 10, Duke carries it for a gain of 2. 2nd and 8 at the Duke 35, the Duke coach up here in the press box is going NUTS, and Lewis throws it complete for 22 yards and the first down. 1st and 10 for Duke at the UVA 43, carry for Hollingsworth gain of 1. Duke 2nd and 9 , incomplete pass, almost an interception by the Hoos. Duke has 3rd and 9 with 3:51 to play, Lewis hits a receiver over the middle for the touchdown. What a bad angle taken on the defensive play by Chris Cook. Duke will go for two points and does not get it. Duke leads 18-17 with 3:45 to play.

Virginia will get the ball on the kick-off and Minnifield returns it to the Virginia 23 yard line. Penalty on Virginia for 10 yards sends it back to the UVA 13. Sewell is in the shotgun, under pressure, but he gets it away for the incompletion. 2nd and 10, Sewell throws incomplete to Tim Smith. 3rd and 10, Sewell gets sacked and fumbles, Duke runs in it for the touchdown. BALL GAME OVER. The rest of the ridiculously lame crowd that bothered to show up is heading for the exits. Duke will kick the extra point and it’s good. Duke leads 25-17.

3:22 to play in the game and Virginia returns the ball up the sideline to the Virginia 39 yard line. Sewell, throws deep but incomplete to Green. 2nd and 10 for UVA, Sewell with 3:09 to play, and it’s dropped by Jared Green. 3rd and 10 for Virginia, Sewell throws one over Vic Hall’s outstretched hands. 4th and 10 for Virginia, they will go for it and Sewell is sacked. Duke will take over on downs.

Duke runs three times for 4 yards and it’s now 4th and six for the Blue Devils. Duke will attempt a 43 yard field goal and it’s good. Duke will now kick-off and Minnifield gets hammered! Ouch!

UVA will have the ball with 1:00 to play and the rain is now beginning to fall. Verica is in the game again, and he throws it way out of bounds. 2nd and 10 for VA, Verica throws incomplete to Simpson. 3rd and 10, incomplete. 4th and 10, Virginia throws incomplete, ball game is now over. The Hoos have lost to DUKE two years in a row. Repeat, two years in a row we have lost to DUKE… Sad days in Charlottesville…

Virginia has lost to Duke two years in a row. It’s fright-night in Charlottesville as the birds of prey, and the Grim Reaper are both circling Coach Al Groh’s house in Hooville. www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAF_20091031_DUKE@VA

The hapless Hoos gave up 19 fourth quarter points to perennial cellar dweller Duke University here in front of the smallest crowd (41,713 announced, but it really was more like 30,000) in the modern era of Virginia football. Thaddeus Lewis continued his red-hot season, as he finished 24-40 for 343 (1 TD, 1 Int.) He completed passes to 7 different Blue Devils, and Duke’s excellent kicker Will Snyderwine booted 5 field-goals, as Duke beat UVA for the second time in a row. I have to wonder what Lewis’s career might have been like if he had attended Florida State, or Miami, as he is the best damn quarterback in the ACC.

Virginia played a horrific game on offense, as Sewell and Verica both split time time at the quarterback position. Sewell finished the game 8-22 for 86 yards with a touchdown and an interception thrown. Verica, who came in for Sewell because he got his bell wrung, wound-up 5-16 for a pitiful 21 yards, and no TD’s. Rashawn Jackson rushed 16 times for 84 yards, and Mikell Simpson carried the ball 5 times for 21 yards. Joe Torchia caught his first career touchdown, and was Virginia’s leading receiver with 3 receptions for 44 yards. Torchia, and Jackson were really the only bright-spots offensively for the now 3-5 terrifyingly terrible Wahoos.

Defensively, Nate Collins continued his amazing season up-front for the Hoos. Collins, who is really making a name for himself with NFL scouts, finished with 10 tackles and two tough sacks on Thaddeus Lewis.

Virginia goes back on the road next week to Miami. “Serenity now, serenity now”, as Frank Costanza would say… Go Hoos. Mike London, “Please pick up the orange and blue courtesy phone!”

UVA Rector John Wynne sent an email to the UVA community with an update on the search for a new UVA president.

The Special Committee on the Nomination of a President received more than 100 nominations and it is now beginning the process of considering possible candidate and forming a candidate pool.

“Over the past several weeks, they have conducted in-depth conversations with dozens of higher education leaders, including college and university presidents, around the country about what it takes to lead a university in the 21st century,” he writes.

Wynne further writes that the process of sifting through of candidates will be  confidential.

“Higher education leaders have told us, and prior experience has informed us, that presidential searches can be effective only if candidates are assured of confidentiality. We also have been warned that a breach causes candidates to withdraw, threatening the viability of the search. We cannot take such a risk.”

Once the process is successfully completed, the committee will send its recommendation to the Board of Visitors, which is ultimately responsible for the final decision. 
 

Kick-off is about to begin here at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. The temperature is 66 degrees with a slight chance of showers. Virginia has won the coin-toss and will defer to the second half. Duke will get the ball to begin the contest.

Virginia kicks-off to begin the game and its run out of the end zone and returned to the 14 yard line. Duke is 1st and 10, Lewis rolls out to the left and runs for a gain of 13. 1st and 10 Duke hands-off and it’s stuffed by Nate Collins for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7, Lewis in the shot-gun and it’s complete. 1st and 10 for Duke, Lewis in the shotgun, complete. 2nd and 7, Duke on the quarterback scramble, tackle made by Brandon Woods. 3rd and 1 for Duke, QB sneak for 3 yards, 1st down. 1st and 10 complete pass in the right flat, flag is down on the play. Looks like holding on UVA, yes it’s on Chase Minnifield. 1st and 10 for Duke at the UVA 38 yard line, Lewis in the shotgun, and he completes another one over the middle to Vernon. 1st and 10, Duke at the UVA 27 with 11:15 to go in the first, Lewis runs a little trickeration, incomplete, pass broken up by Dowling. 2nd and 10, hand-off up the middle for a couple. 3rd and 7 for Duke, Lewis nearly gets sacked and it’s now going to be fourth down. Field goal team on for a 44 yard attempt and it’s good. Duke 3-0.

Duke is set to kick-off to the Hoos. Minnifield and Perry Jones are back deep for Virginia and Minnifield takes it at the 10 and returns it to the 25. 1st and 10 for Virginia, Sewell back to throw and he nearly throws an interception as he overthrew Torchia. UVA, hands off to Mikell Simpson for a gain of 1. 3rd and 9, Sewell throws a perfect ball and it’s dropped by Joe Torchia. UVA brings on the punt team and Jimmy Howell is not the punter, it’s Nathan Rathjen. Rathjen punts the ball deep, and Duke loses 10 yards on the return.

Duke has the ball at their own 14 yard line to start their second possession. There is 8:22 to go in the first quarter. Duke has it, 1st and 10, Lewis in the shotgun avoids the UVA rush, and he runs for a gain of 3 yards. 2nd 7 for Duke, Lewis throws complete in the left flat and the tackle is made by UVA’s Chase Minnifield. 3rd and 3 for Duke, and it’s a safety blitz for UVA, Lewis make a nice throw over the middle. Duke has 1st and 10 at the UVA 46, Lewis on the keeper for a gain of 5. Lewis, complete for a gain of 4. 3rd and 1 for Duke,  direct-snap to the up-back instead of Lewis and it’s a first down. Duke has it and hands off up the middle to Scott for a gain of 7 to the 26 yard line. 3rd and 1 for Duke, Lewis under center and he hands off to Hollingsworth for a nice gain. 1st and 10 for Duke, completion on the right side to the 10 of UVA. 2nd and 8, Duke, Lewis scrambles incomplete. 3rd and 8 for Duke, and a huge stand is needed by UVA, Lewis throws to the end-zone and it’s broken up by Ras-I Dowling. Duke will bring on the field goal team for a 29 yard attempt, it’s up and it’s good. Duke leads 6-0.

Virginia will receive the kick-off with 2:56 to go in the first quarter, Minnifield and Jones back deep, it’s Chase with a nice run up the left side to the Duke 47. 45 yards on that return for #13. 1st and 10 for Virginia, Sewell goes deep to Jared Green, incomplete. 2nd and 10 for Virginia and it’s another incomplete pass to the left sideline to Quentin Hunter. 3rd and 10 for the Hoos, Sewell back to pass and it’s an interception! The ball is returned to the UVA 21 yard line.

1st and 10 for Duke at the UVA 21, and the pass is dropped by Duke. 2nd 10 for Duke and a run for 2 yards. 3rd and 8 for Duke, and an incomplete pass, but hold it, it’s roughing the passer on # 59. 1st and 10, Duke at the UVA 10, hand-off up the middle to Hollingsworth. 2nd 6 for Duke, and it’s HUGE Sack by #98 Nate Collins. 3rd and 15 for Duke at the UVA 15, Zane Parr has Lewis for the SACK. 4th and 16 for Duke and the field goal team comes on for Duke, and it’s the end of the first quarter with the score of 6-0 Duke. Virginia has kept them out of the end-zone so far. The kick is from the 16 yard line, and it’s up and it’s good. Duke is up 9-0.

Virginia has 1st and 10, hand-off to Rashawn Jackson for a gain of 10. 1st and 10 UVA, Sewell completes it for a gain of 5. Sewell, back to pass and he throws it incomplete to Hall, uh-oh Sewell is injured, and there is a foul on the play. Pass interference on Duke. 1st and 10 for UVA, Verica is now in for the Hoos. 1st and 10, Verica back, and it’s a false-start on the left guard #63. UVA 1st and 15, Verica back hits Torrey Mack in the flat, he drops the ball. 2nd and 15, Verica back hands-off to Jackson for a nice gain of 15 up the left side. 1st and 10 Virginia, Verica hands off to Jackson, gain of 1. The ball is at the Duke 20, 2nd and 9, Verica has the ball tipped and it’s incomplete to Tim Smith. 3rd and 9, Verica in the shotgun and it’s complete to Kris Burd for a nice gain over the middle. 1st and 10 UVA ball is at the 16, Verica throws to the end-zone, incomplete to Vic Hall. 2nd and 10, UVA 12:05 to play, Verica throws a wobbly pass to no one in the end-zone. Verica again throws incomplete on 3rd down. Now it’s 4th and 10 for Virginia, and the 33rd field goal is up-coming, ball down, snap is back and the kick is good. 3:06 worth of clock on the drive for the Hoos. Duke 9- Hoos 3 with 11:51 to go in the first half.

Virginia kicks-off, Duke gets it at the 19 and it’s returned to the Duke 32. 1st and 10 for Duke, Lewis in the shotgun, he throws complete for a loss of 1. 2nd and 11, Duke, Lewis back in the shotgun, and he throws incomplete to Varner in the right flat. Big play for Duke up-coming. 3rd and 10, Lewis back and he is pressured and throws incomplete! 4th and 10 for Duke at their own 32, Duke punts and it’s returned to the UVA 39.

1st and 10 for UVA, Verica is still in at quarterback, five wide receivers and Verica mis-handles the snap, and throws it out of bounds and incomplete to Tim Smith. 2nd and 10, UVA hands off to Simpson for a gain of 5. 3rd and 5, Verica looks completely confounded on the play as he hurries to the left and he throws another horrendous incompletion! 4th down for UVA and the punt team is on, no Jimmy Howell again, Rathgen punts a nice one and Duke will have it at their own 10 with 9:58 to go in the first half.

Duke 1st and 10, Duke hands-off up the middle for a gain of 4. 2nd and 6, Duke throws complete to Desmond Scott, Chris Cook on the tackle. 1st and 10 for Duke, completion up the middle for another first down. 1st and 10 Duke at their own 39 yard-line, Lewis back in the shotgun, throws incomplete to Austin Kelly. 2nd and 10, Duke at the 39 yard line, back to pass is Lewis and it’s a sack by Dolce and Parr. 3rd and 16 for Duke, Lewis again the in shotgun and it’s incomplete. Duke punts the ball and Minnifield has a small return.

Virginia has the ball at the 20, Jackson on the carry for a gain of 5. 2nd and 5 Verica completes it to Colter Phillips for again of 3. 3rd and 2 for UVA, Verica throws complete to Torchia, 1st down! 1st and 10 for UVA at the 33 yard line, Verica hand-offs to Jackson for a gain of 8. The ball is at the UVA 40 yard line, 2nd and 2 for the Hoos, Verica hands off to Simpson and he gets the first down and a gain of 9. Verica 1st and 10, Jackson carries for a gain of two up the right side. 2nd and 8 for UVA, Verica hits Simpson for a gain of 1. 3rd and 7 for UVA at the Blue Devils 49, Verica back to pass and he hits Simpson for a loss of one. 4th down and Rathgen is in to punt. Snap is good, but the punt is awful! 18 yard punt for UVA… Duke has the ball at their own 32 yard line.

1st and 10 for Duke, Lewis hands-off up the middle for a gain of 1. 2nd and 9 for Duke, Lewis throws complete for a gain of 7. 3rd and 2 for Duke with 1:13 to play, Duke back Lewis throws complete to the tight-end. 1st and 10 for Duke and it’s another sack by Nate Collins and Virginia! 2nd and 17 at the Duke 43 and it’s a 9 yard gain. 3rd and 8 and Lewis gets nailed, incomplete pass. Duke will punt to Minnifield and it’s a fair catch at the 16 yard line.

Sewell is back in the game, and Virginia will take a knee and play for the second half. Half-time has it Duke 9- UVA 3.

Duke comes to Scott Stadium today @ 3:30 for a key ACC match-up against Virginia. If the Hoos (3-4) have any chance of going bowling this season, they will have to get to six wins. Including Duke, Virginia has five games remaining, only two of which they have a chance to be favored.
Duke @ home (UVA is favored by 7),
Miami away (Hurricanes will be favored by at least 9)
Boston College @ home (UVA will most likely not be favored, BC by 3)
Clemson away (Tigers will be favored by at least 8)
Hokies @ home (Hokies by 9) And there will be 30,000 "Burgundy Clad Hokie-Fans" shaking their keys on "Key" plays…Vile, and wicked as it will be…

I think the Hoos have a chance today, if they contain Duke’s excellent, four-year starter at Quarterback, Thaddeus Lewis. Look for Lewis to test Virginia all day, by throwing the deep ball. Virginia is going to have to come-up with turnovers, and the Hoos will be looking to keep Duke’s offense on the bench. Duke’s defense will try and confuse Jameel Sewell early and often, by mixing-up their blitzing schemes, and by sending-in many different guys in the blitz package.

Virginia must establish the running game early, in order to slow down the game, and let their defense catch their collective breath on the side-lines. Time of possession, as well as the turnover margin will be some of the keys to Virginia winning this game, and keeping their bowl chances alive.

Some factoids about the match-up and the two schools:
> This is game number 1,200 in the history of UVA football.
> Duke has come out victorious in it’s last 8 contests when they are in the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.
> The Blue Devils have won only once in Charlottesville since 1999.
> Duke’s coach coached both of the Manning brothers in college. Peyton @ Tennessee and Eli @ Ole Miss.
> The Blue Devils are the worst rushing team in the ACC averaging only 74 yards per contest.
> Virginia lost to Duke last year in Durham by four touchdowns and NO ONE loses to Duke two years in a row in the ACC. NO ONE… Hoos 31- Duke 30.
 

Use your head:

Don’t lose your head:

Nod your head and smile:

Virginia Versus Duke University Football News and Notes Saturday 3:30 Scott Stadium Charlottesville, Virginia

Virginia and Duke (4-3,2-1 ACC) hook up Saturday afternoon in a 3:30 key ACC match-up in Charlottesville. The Hoos are 32-28 all-time versus the Blue Devils and the Hoos are coming off an embarrassing loss last year (3-31) against Duke. Virginia (3-4, 2-1 ACC), and Duke have been playing each other the longest of any ACC rivalries, since 1890. The game last year broke a run of 8 straight victories by the Hoos. Since 1982, Virginia has won 21 of the last 26 match-ups.

This affair is a bit more intriguing than usual, as it features the ACC’s top passing defense (UVA), against the leagues top passing offense (Duke). UVA is the 5th ranked defense nationally, allowing only a meager 151.29 yards per game. The Dookies are slinging the rock for an outstanding 322.57 yards per contest. Virginia has not given up a passing touchdown in four games and has give up the 2nd fewest passing TD’s in the nation

Duke is led by their senior, 4-year starter, Thaddeus Lewis. Lewis has thrown for over 300 yards in three straight games, and Duke has won two straight conference games for the first time since 1994, and in the third three hundred yard passing game, Duke played Va. Tech tough. Look for Duke to try and attack Chris Cook at the cornerback position as well as challenging Minnifield and Ras-I at the other corner. If Virginia can put pressure on Lewis, and force him out of the pocket I look for the Hoos to have an excellent chance to win the game. Virginia 31 Duke 30
*Duke has scored 49 points twice this season. Last time they scored 49 once in a season was 1994.
*Virginia’s leading tackler on defense is redshirt-freshman Steve Greer who has 49 tackles.
*Duke had over 500 yards of offense last week against Maryland.
*The Hoos’ Chris Cook, and Ras-I Dowling have combined for 11 career interceptions.
*Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis is already the 10th all-time ACC leading passer with 8,707 yards.
Virginia’s senior defensive back Brandon Woods is from Durham, North Carolina and is looking to have a huge day agains his hometown Blue Devils.
 

VPAP has released the October 26 campaign finance reports for candidates running for Charlottesville City Council and Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.

Mayor Dave Norris leads the pack in the city with $10,537, followed by Independent candidate Bob Fenwick with $6,274. Democratic challenger Kristin Szakos is close behind with $6,202. Independents Paul Long and Andrew Williams have $465 and $335, respectively.

In the county, Democratic incumbent David Slutzky raised the most with $81,595. Republican challenger for the Rio District Rodney Thomas raised $63,845.

Uncontested incumbent in the Jack Jouett District Dennis Rooker raised $70,405.

In the Samuel Miller District, Republican candidate Duane Snow leads with $32,208, with Democratic challenger Madison Cummings second with $20,980 and Independent John Lowry with $20,578.

Seriously, everyone wins. Almost a quarter of the people who participated in the PEC’s Eat Local Challenge this fall actually got a prize—that’s 27 lucky winners taking home Dr. Ho’s gift certificates and Blue Mountain Brewery growlers and a day with cheesemaker Gail Hobbs-Page at Caromont.

But there were other kinds of winning too. Everybody who entered ate at least 21 local foods in 21 days, so you know they were lovin’ them some meals. And over 250 sources of local food were represented in the eating, so that’s a huge number of local farms, orchards and vendors who got some business.

At my house, we often play a different "eat local" game, which amounts to congratulating ourselves on the number of local ingredients in a given meal. Try it! It’s all kinds of fun.

We will, for example, look down at our seemingly no-fuss dinner (omelets, salad, toast) and start listing out loud: lettuce from our garden, mizuna and eggs from Double H, vinegar from Virginia Vinegar Works, peppers from Blue Heron Farm in the omelets, bread from Sub Rosa, jam from our friend at the farmer’s market, some of Gail‘s cheese on the salads, and beer from Blue Mountain to wash it all down. Were we in the mood for bacon to go with, we could certainly find some. I tell you, it’s downright thrilling.

Anyone else have a favorite meal that can be completely locally sourced? (Olive oil, salt and pepper, etc. don’t count.)