The cannon at Cumberland sounded early and often on Friday as the Redskins thrashed Betsy Layne 54-0 during homecoming night.

Junior quarterback Drew Allison completed 12 of 16 passing attempts for 188 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Redskins in the rout.

"Our offense is really feeling comfortable," said Cumberland coach Frank Vicini. "Drew is getting in the rhythm, and our receivers are running good routes.

"It was pretty obvious that we had them outmanned, and there's not been a whole lot of times we've had that luxury of outmanning a team."

Cumberland took the opening kickoff and pushed the ball down field for a touchdown. Allison connected with Brad Watts for a 40-yard touchdown pass at the 9:41 mark. Eric Huff added the extra point.

After holding the Bobcats on downs, the Redskins needed just three plays to get back in the end zone. Allison found Watts for a 11-yard TD pass with 7:46 remaining in the opening quarter. Huff's kick made it 14-0.

The Cumberland defense forced Betsy Layne to punt again. Allison completed three passes in the drive, capped by a 13-yard touchdown toss to Kevin Vicini.

Cumberland extended the lead to 28-0 after one quarter as Watts scored on a 20-yard run.

An eight-play, 80-yard drive was capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Allison to Jeff Bush with 9:54 remaining in the second quarter. Huff missed for the first time in five tries as Cumberland led 34-0.

"I'm real happy for Jeff. He's one of those kids that plays hard every week and never misses a practice. He played hard offensively, defense and did well on special teams," said Vicini.

Betsy Layne was once again held on downs and Cumberland needed just two plays to score as Michael Washington caught a 44-yard pass from Allison at the 4:13 mark.

With 1:43 left in the half, Allan Lankford stripped the ball from Shawn Hamilton and raced 34 yards for a touchdown to push the advantage to 47-0.

The Redskins, who dressed 21 players for the game, lost senior lineman Alvin Brooks to a knee injury. Brooks recorded nine tackles before leaving the game with 1:27 left in the half.

"We won't know anything until he has an MRI done, but he played really well," said Vicini.

Cumberland was without junior receiver Marty Doyle, who was injured in the Williamsburg game last week.

The Redskins closed the scoring with 3:48 left in the third quarter as Robert Constant intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. Huff added his sixth extra point.

Betsy Layne was held to 93 total yards, including 68 on the ground. Brad Adams led the Bobcats with 48 yards on 12 carries.

Philip Gilliam powered the Cumberland defense with 11 tackles. Watts followed with 10. Brooks and Craig Miller each added nine.

Betsy Layne (1-8) closes the season Oct. 31 at home against Pike Central.

Cumberland (4-4 overall, 1-3 district) must prepare for a couple of key district games. The Redskins play host to Pineville on Friday and will travel to Evarts during the final week of the regular season.

"Overall, it's a good win, and it's good to have a game like that," said Vicini. "We need to build on this momentum cause we've got two big, big district games coming up.

"Pineville always plays us tough, and we've got to focus on them. We've got to work hard and be ready for them."