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Randolph-Henry High School’s varsity football team had a chance early to insert itself into the ballgame against host Nottoway High School on Friday, but the Statesmen were not able to capitalize, and the Cougars pulled away for a definitive 54-0 victory.

Zach Orlando, head coach of the Statesmen, cited missed opportunities as he reflected on the game.

“Nottoway, they were good,” he said. “They were very solid, and (we) just had some missed opportunities, kind of left some plays on the table, so to speak.

“We caused two fumbles in about the first four drives, one of which we recovered in their territory and got down to about the one-yard line, and we ended up fumbling on the one,” he continued. “So, we had a chance to cut it and make it a 14-7 game at that point, and that would have been probably late first or early second quarter.

“And so when you have that play and then it just kind of slowly started trickling away, I think the frustration kind of set in a little bit on Friday night, and we’re playing the numbers game every Friday, and when you get to play the numbers game, it hurts,” he said.

By “the numbers game,” he was referring to the low number of active players Randolph-Henry has to work with, particularly in comparison to its opponent.

“We play that game pretty much against anybody we play,” he said, noting Cumberland County High School might be an exception this season.

Though the Statesmen are still searching for their first win, they have previously had success establishing something positive in the run game, but that was not the case Friday night.

Randolph-Henry gained 62 yards on 28 carries. Its top rusher was junior Tyshaundre Walton, who had six carries for 25 yards.

“We just really couldn’t get anything going,” Orlando said. “They were very stout, defensively, and we had a hard time getting anything kind of moving.”

The loss dropped Randolph-Henry to 0-4.

“We’ve been in this position before,” Orlando said, “and every year you’re in this position, it gets a little bit harder, it gets a little bit tougher, but I think the big thing is regrouping and moving forward, which I think our kids have done a pretty good job of that every week.”

The Statesmen are set to host Goochland High School (2-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.