A preview of Northern Neck District football · Carol Consalvi A Great Source for local sports ......

Rappahannock Record

GRIDIRON 2010

A preview of Northern Neck District football

2 • GRIDIRON September 9, 2010

COVER SHOT

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Defending state champion Essex has new coach

Lancaster has speed and talent and striving for postseason play

Colonial Beach experienced on the lines but has new skill players

Playoff hopefuls

Northumberland hoping to rebound from last year’s 0-5 district record

Experienced but young

Tough in the trenches

Leadership shift

Loaded with skill

Zach Donovan is an end on Northumberland’s offensive line. by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

CONTRIBUTORSLISA HINTON-VALDRIGHI STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHSROBERT MASON JR. EDITORSUSAN SIMMONS PAGE DESIGNSARA AMISS AD MANAGER MARILYN BRYANT&JOANNA MARCHETTI AD SALES

EDITOR PAGE DESIGN

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Rappahannock returns skill players, coach is optimistic.

INSIDEGRIDIRON 2010

W&L has record numbers but few returners

Rebuilding10

8

4

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Evan Antonio and Johnmall Jenkins will start on Lancaster’s defensive line.

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2010 NORTHERN NECK • TIDEWATER

SEASON SCHEDULESeptember 10King George at Colonial Beach Essex at Rappahannock King & Queen at LancasterNorthumberland at MiddlesexManassas Park at Washington & LeeNew Kent at King William

September 17Colonial Beach at Manassas Park Lancaster at Rappahannock King & Queen at Northumberland King William at Caroline Franklin at Mathews Charles City at West Point

September 24George Mason at Colonial Beach Essex at NanduaLancaster at Charles City Arcadia at Northumberland Rappahannock at King & Queen Mathews at Washington & Lee Sussex at King William Middlesex at Franklin Surry at West Point

October 1 Colonial Beach at King & Queen Essex at SussexSurry at LancasterNorthumberland at WindsorRappahannock at Middlesex Washington & Lee at Northampton West Point at Franklin

October 8Colonial Beach at Surry Northampton at Essex Middlesex at Lancaster Mathews at Northumberland

Charles City at Rappahannock King William at Washington & Lee Franklin at King & Queen

October 15Rappahannock at Colonial Beach Essex at Northumberland Lancaster at Washington & Lee Mathews at King & Queen West Point at Middlesex

October 22Colonial Beach at Essex Rappahannock at Lancaster Washington & Lee at Northumberland King & Queen at West PointKing William at Mathews Middlesex at Northampton

October 29Colonial Beach at Northumberland Lancaster at Essex Washington & Lee at Rappahannock King William at Middlesex Mathews at West Point

November 5Lancaster at Colonial Beach Essex at Washington & Lee Northumberland at Rappahannock Middlesex at King & Queen West Point at King William

November 12 Washington & Lee at Colonial Beach Rappahannock at Essex Northumberland at Lancaster King & Queen at King William Middlesex at Mathews

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LANCASTER RED DEVILS

“I think what we’ve earned is respect and that’s a great thing for the program.”

—Red Devils coach Fred Birchett

The Red Devils are hungry for a playoff berth. Despite a 3-2 Northern Neck record and suc-

cessful 8-2 campaign, Lancaster packed up the pads and helmets after the final regular season game.

“Not going [to the playoffs] has really motivated them,” said coach Fred Birchett. “They really want this.”

According to Birchett, the Red Devils have earned the respect they’re finally getting from Northern Neck District coaches, many of whom have picked Lancaster as the team to beat this season.

“Most of these fellows have had at least two years with me. They understand what I want from them and what I expect, “ said Birchett, who came to Lancaster from New Kent in 2008. “This is the third year we’ve run this system. It’s their third year with me and a lot of the other coaches. It’s all about consistency.”

Birchett’s first season in the Northern Neck District was a little rough. Although they went .500 for the year, Lancaster won only one district game.

The Devils, adapting to Birchett’s wide-open spread offense, went 8-2 last season with one of their losses to state champion Essex and the other to regional dominator Washington & Lee.

“We have the potential to do as well or better that the teams that have come before us,” Birchett said of this year’s 31-member squad.

“We’ve always had great athletes here but this year we seem to have great team chemistry,” he said. “This year, all of our seniors have shown leadership. This group does a better job of picking each other up. We seem to be a more complete team.”

Some 60 JV and varsity prospects showed up for camp in early August, a record number since Birchett came to Lancaster. The veteran coach also tried some-thing new, going Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the first two weeks of practice.

The breaks, he said, made the players “so much

fresher” on practice days. “And the output was so much better. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Birchett.

OffenseWith 16 total returners, Birchett brings back almost

all of his offense, minus graduated quarterback Sedale Mullen and receiver Kentel Noel.

Senior Joseph “Tay” Betts (5’10”, 160) moves from wideout to quarterback and will add some speed to the backfield.

Betts, who was a finalist for the Army’s 2009 Iron Man of the Year Award, was an all-district first team selection as receiver with 18 catches for 469 yards and eight touchdowns.

He earned first-team defensive back honors with 74 tackles, including three for a loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions and five pass break-ups.

Birchett calls him a natural and says Betts’ “escapeability is phenomenal.”

Decorated rusher Tiko Henderson returns to the backfield. Henderson, a senior, was an all-district first team rusher and was the district’s second leading ball carrier with 1,058 yards on 112 carries. He also earned an all-district linebacker spot with 119 tackles, nine sacks, 11 hurries, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception.

Back to play wide-out will be seniors Shaun Lee, DeAnte Jones and Corbin Love and junior Brandon Morris. Jones had 13 catches last season and averaged over 21 yards a reception.

Although Birchett lost a couple of all-district

COACH: Fred Birchett (2nd year, 13-7)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Irvin Nickens, Ashley Wilmore, Marcus Ferguson, Draper Washington, Damian Chrissy, Malcolm Carter, Bobby Moore, Doug Wilt

LAST YEAR: 3-2 district, 8-2 overall BASIC OFFENSE: Spread formation

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

TOP RETURNERS: QB/WR/DB Joseph Betts, RB/LB Tiko Henderson, RB Shaun Lee, OT Evan Antonio

TOP NEWCOMERS: WR/DB Aaron Manning, OL/DL Ryan Morgan, HB/LB/P Sammy Somers

The Red Devils didn’t qualify for the Region A, Division 2 playoffs last season despite an 8-2 record. Lancaster returns 16 starters, includ-ing many of its skill players. As always, the Devils are small but they’re quick and they’ll use that speed in an offense that should be equally as dangerous in the air as on the ground. Many of the Northern Neck Dis-trict coaches have picked Lancaster at the top.

POWERANALYSIS


QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Jersey Name Grade Position2 Shaun Lee 12 QB/RB/DB3 Joseph Betts 12 WR/DB4 Corbin Love 11 HB/LB7 Michael Coleman 11 WR/DB8 Kedrick Lee 10 QB/DB9 Montez Thompson11 RB/LB10 Brandon Morris 11 WR/DB12 Aaron Manning 11 WR/DB14 Joel Hudnall 11 HB/DB20 James Walters 11 WR/DB21 Tiko Henderson 12 RB/LB22 Shaq Harvey 12 WR/DB24 Samuel Somers 11 HB/LB38 Mike Navetta 12 WR/DB51 Bridell Carter 9 OL/DL52 Brad Smith 9 OL/DL

Jersey Name Grade Position55 Danny McGrath 10 OL/DL56 TreVaughn Davis 10 OL/DL58 Tyrell Smith 11 OL/LB59 Clay Hinson 12 OL/DL60 William Hall 12 OL/DL64 Trevor Comer 11 OL/DL66 Kai Antonio 10 OL/DL69 K.T. Thomas 12 OL/DL70 Ryan Morgan 11 OL/DL73 Johnmall Jenkins 12 OL/DL74 Chukwan Wiggins11 OL/DL75 Evan Antonio 12 OL/DL77 Alex Williams 12 OL/DL81 Deante Jones 12 HB/LB88 Dalton Moore 11 HB/LB

linemen, he returns senior all-district tackle Evan Antonio (6’0”, 210). He’ll be joined on a line that averages 234 pounds by brother and right guard Kai Atonio (6’1”, 200), center Ryan Morgan (5’9”, 224), left guar Alex Williams (6’1”, 250) and left tackle Johnmall Jenkins (6’3”, 261).

DefenseJenkins and E. Antonio are starting returning ends

on the defensive line and will be backed up by Jones and K. Evans.

Hefty tackle Will Hall (6’0”, 400) returns. Morgan, Williams and Sammy Somers will play at different times in the other tackle spot.

Henderson returns to the stopping unit at middle linebacker, with Love, Somers, Tyrell Smith and Michael Coleman playing outside at varying times.

Lee and Aaron Manning will play at the corners. Betts will play free safety and Aaron Manning will

strong safety.

Special teamsSomers will handle the punting and kickoff duties

and Lee and Betts will return. Lancaster scored six times, three by the run and

three in the air, in a preseason scrimmage against King William.

There were a few breakdowns on both the offense and defense, but Birchett says “every breakdown was easily correctible with some decent practice time.”

Lancaster will open its regular season at home September 10 against King & Queen. Northern Neck District play for the Red Devils will begin October 15 at Washington & Lee.

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NORTHUMBERLAND INDIANSIt’s the quality not the quantity that will make

Northumberland a better team this year than it was last year. So says four-year coach John “JP”

Poindexter. “The numbers aren’t great but the quality is

good,” he said. “The fact that we had 30 kids the first day show up at 6 a.m. says a lot about the character of those kids.”

Although the Indians are going early-morning practices, Poindexter’s not pushing the kids quite as hard this season.

He believes part of last year’s problem was that the players just tired out by the time the district schedule rolled around.

“That Mathews loss (42-26) was the turning point,” said Poindexter. “We lost a game we should have won. Then we lost to Essex and Washington & Lee in games we could’ve won. Losing three games in a row that we should’ve won and could’ve won, took it out of us. Morale just went down.”

One of last year’s problems, he thinks, “was a combo of losing games and a lot of practice. And they got tired. We’re conscious of not wearing them out halfway through the season this year.”

Looking at his early schedule, which includes Tidewater’s Middlesex, King & Queen and Mathews, Poindexter says, “We’ve got some games like last year that we should be able to win. We’re not playing anybody that’s impossible to beat.”

When the Indians start Northern Neck District play (this year’s opener is against defending state champion Essex on October 15) that’s when “it’s gonna to be tough,” said Poindexter.

“Because everyone is gonna be stacked. It’s gonna be a matter of having a good night when you play in the district.”

OffensePoindexter will be making all the calls this

season, both on offense and defense.

He’s still trying to decide who’ll be taking the snaps in his spread formation, whether it will be junior Tyler Mitchell (5’11”, 140) or junior Chris Waller (6’3”, 173).

Waller would make the move from receiver, where he played last year.

“Both can play there,” said Poindexter. “One is more athletic and the other is more football-minded.”

Junior Alex Hall will get most of the totes at running back. Hall is a returning starter, one of eight on the offense.

Senior John Jones and sophomore Jordan Lee also will carry the ball.

“John looks the best right now,” said Poindexter. “He’s the biggest back we have. But experience is good at that position. All of them played on the varsity team last year.”

Passing targets this year include junior Jalen Conaway and sophomore Kyle Elmore. Elmore is a returning wideout who had 12 receptions last year while Conaway is a newbie. When Waller and Mitchell aren’t playing quarterback, both could get time in the slot spots.

“What’s great is all my skill guys can play differ-ent positions,” said Poindexter. “They have size and speed and all have varsity experience.”

The offensive line, a unit of weakness for past Indian teams, may not be that this season. Poin-dexter returns four of his five starting spots on the o-line including three-year veteran, junior center Levi Payne. Senior guards, Trey Henry and Aaron Appleby, are back as well as tackle Bradley Exline. Junior Christian Kent is really the only new starter on the line but he did get some playing experience in the trenches

After getting off to an unbeaten 4-0 start last year, the Indians dropped all of their Northern Neck District games to end the year at 4-6 overall and winless in the district in last place.

“Losing three games in a row that we should’ve won and could’ve won, took it out of us. Morale just went down,” said coach John Poindexter.

Northumberland should be strong in the skill spots and up front with eight returning starters on offense.

However, after last year’s performance, and Northumberland’s unsuccess-ful history, all of the district’s coaches picked the Indians to finish in sixth place.

COACH: John Poindexter (4th year, 11-19 overall)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Mike Jeffries, John Lee Lewis, Brian Hahn, Jimmy Robinson, Dusty Taylor, Glen Samuels, Zack Kues

LAST YEAR: 0-5 district, 4-6 overall

BASIC OFFENSE: Spread formation

BASIC DEFENSE: 3-4

TOP RETURNERS: RB/S Alex Hall, C/LB Levi Payne, G/DL Trey Henry, OL/DL Aaron Appleby, T/DL Bradley Exline

TOP NEWCOMERS: QB/DB Tyler Mitchell, QB/FS Chris Waller, WR/DB Jalen Conaway, WR/DB Corey Loper, RB/LB Jordan Lee, OL Beau Rose, OL Eric Edwards, OL Aaron Greene

“The numbers aren’t great but the quality is good.”

— Indians coach John Poindexter

POWERANALYSIS


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Jersey Name Grade Position59 Aaron Appleby 12 OL/DL8 John Jones 12 RB/LB7 Corey Loper 12 DB66 Zack Donovan 12 OL/DL56 Trey Henry 12 OL/DL15 Daniel Boyd 12 WR/DB51 Levi Payne 11 C/LB1 Alex Hall 11 RB/S14 Jacob Jewell 11 WR/DB52 Eric Edwards 11 OL/LB4 Jalen Conaway 11 WR/DB79 Christian Kent 11 OL/DL9 Tyler Mitchell 11 QB/DB55 Aaron Greene 11 OL/DL50 Beau Rose 11 OL/DL75 Bradley Exline 11 OL/DL80 Marshall Goddard11 WR/DB

Jersey Name Grade Position23 Jordan Lee 10 RB/LB10 Kyle Elmore 10 WR/DB24 Patrick Cox 10 WR/DB13 Zack Newman 10 QB/DB11 Jonathan Hinton10 WR/DB12 Stacy Seldon 10 RB/DB44 Shawn Redmond10 RB/LB32 Nick Turner 10 RB/DB Randy Seldon 10 OL/LB17 Tyler O’Bier 10 WR/DB58 Devonta Butler 9 OL/DL57 Deshaud Murphy9 OL/DL40 Dakota Galvies 9 DB/LB54 Collin Donovan 9 OL/DL60 Nick Keranen 9 OL/DL33 Daniel Keranen 9 WR/DB

last season. “We only have two seniors on the line,” said

Poindexter. “The others are sophomores and juniors but they are young kids with experience.”

The key to the Indians putting points on the board is “staying healthy,” said Poindexter. “If we get hurt, we don’t have a whole lot of depth behind our starters.”

DefenseAs in past years, many of Northumberland’s

starters will pull double duty and hit the field for both offense and defense including Henry, who’ll start at noseguard and anchor the defensive line. Also getting some time there will be Appleby.

Senior Zack Donovan and junior Aaron Greene will line up on the ends.

Payne will return to play inside linebacker along

with Jewell, who makes the move from the corner-back spot. Playing outside linebacker will be Lee and Conaway.

Elmore and Jewell should start at the corners with Waller, Hall and Mitchell taking turns down-field at the two safety spots. Both Hall and Waller played there last season.

“We’re athletic defensively but we will have some kids playing new positions,” said Poindexter. “We just need consistent play. We’re not very big but we have a lot of skill kids.”

Special teamsThe running backs and receivers, Hall, Jones,

Conaway and Elmore, should be returning kicks and punts.

Hall will likely handle the punting duties and Waller will kick off.

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ESSEX TROJANS POWERANALYSISCOACH: Robbie Jenkins (1st year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Clifton Balderson, Gerard Reynolds, Mike Creel, Kenny Newsome, Keith Hendricks, Mike Patterson and Brian Butler

LAST YEAR: 5-0 district, 14-0 overall as the Region A, Division 2 champion

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple formations

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

TOP RETURNERS: RB James Hence, QB/WR Deon Hammond, WR Quame Green, LB Montel Sayles, WR Angelo Taylor, DL Eugene Dandridge, LB John T. Davis, OL Walter Lee

TOP NEWCOMERS: WR Adarius Booker, RB Levonte Bundy, OL Deiondre Darby

Todd Jones is gone. But there’s still life at Essex. The Trojans are coming off their best season in school history with an unbeaten 10-0 record and

the state Group A, Division 2 championship under their belts. Jones, who amassed 135 wins in his 14 years and shaped Essex into a

state powerhouse, returned home to coach at his alma mater Pulaski County High School in late July. Robbie Jenkins came to Essex from Caroline County just a few days before practice was supposed to begin. Jenkins, who was the offensive coordinator for five years under his father’s tutelage, is a graduate of Bridgewater College and Culpeper High School. He’s had to hit

the ground running as Essex High’s athletic director and new coach of a championship team with high expectations.

Jenkins has some talented players coming back but lost a lot of key skill players to graduation including last year’s district players of the year and all-state players, quarterback Lyndon Garner and linebacker Chuck Sumiel.

He does return Deon Hammond, an all-Group A wide receiver, who makes the move from catcher to passer and fills Garner’s vacancy.

James Hence, an all-Region A running back, will return to the backfield. Hence rushed for 1,675 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

“As a team, we want to get back to where they were at, but that will take a lot of work,” said Jenkins. “We have a lot of new guys that will have to step up.”

As always, Essex fills one of the largest rosters in the Northern Neck with 49 varsity players.

“We will have just one or two guys playing both ways,” said Jenkins. “Having our numbers is a big help, especially in the fourth quarter when people need a breather.”

Having a couple of veterans in Montel Sayles and John T. Davis back in the stopping unit will help make the “defense pretty decent,” said Jenkins. “We should be good up front at guard and with our linebacking corp.”

Because Essex is Essex, Jenkins knows they’re “wearing a bull’s eye.” Everybody wants to beat the state champion.

But because of the recent personnel changes and because many of the talented skill players have graduated, area coaches aren’t picking Essex to finish in the top spot. Most still have them as the district runner-up, though.

Jersey Name Grade Position 1 Angelo Taylor 12 WR/DB

2 Adarius Booker 11 WR/DB3 Quame Geen 12 WR/DB4 Montel Sayles 12 WR/DB5 Joe Pollard 12 WR/DB6 James Hence 12 RB/LB7 John T. Davis 12 WR/LB8 Carlton Pollard 12 WR/DB9 Jacob Slaughter 12 WR/DB10 Curtis Johnson 12 WR/DB11 Quinton Bryant 11 WR/DB12 Marcus Garner 11 QB/WR13 Ricky Harris 12 WR/DB14 Deon Hammond 12 QB/WR15 Levonte Bundy 11 RB/LB20 Ben Vessels 12 RB/DB22 Montel Sayles 12 WR/LB23 Chris Baker 12 WR/DB24 Travonte Davenport 12 WR/DB27 Tyrell Ware 10 WR/DB28 Keith Fagains 11 WR/DB38 Wade Davenport 9 OL/DL40 Harold Corbin 11 OL/LB42 Quinzell Brown 12 WR/DB

Jersey Name Grade Position44 Rodney Jamison 12 TE/DL50 Demonte Taylor 11 OL/DL52 Zach Cullingsworth 11 OL/DL53 Douglas Hill 11 OL/DL54 Eric Ashlock 12 OL/DL55 Alvin Taylor 12 OL/DL56 Jaquan Holmes 11 OL/DL60 Deiondre Darby 10 OL/DL62 Tommy Coleman 12 OL/DL 66 Erich Green 12 OL/DL 67 Avante Johnson 12 OL/DL68 Danny Reynolds 12 OL/DL69 Michael Meagher 12 OL/DL70 Eugene Dandridge 12 OL/DL73 Deon Darby 12 OL/LB74 Walter Lee 12 OL/DL75 George Brown 12 OL/DL76 Terrence Darby 11 OL/DL77 Austin Keffer 12 TE/LB78 Marcus Dabney 12 OL/DL80 Steve Coles 12 TE/DL86 Dylan Davenport 12 TE/DB88 Phillip Baker 12 WR/DB89 Isaiah Morris 12 TE/DL Alex Mitchell 11 OL/DL

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RAPPAHANNOCK RAIDERSCOACH: William West (10th year, 32-60)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Rick Harmon, Troy Sumiel, James Carey, Mike Finerfrock, Jarrese Com-mock, Brandon Fauntleroy

LAST YEAR: 1-4 district, 2-8 overall

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple formations

BASIC DEFENSE: 3-4

TOP RETURNERS: QB/DB Jacob Dunaway, RB/DE Divine Veney, OT/DL David Furrow, RB/DB Keith Veney, RB/DB DeAndre Garner, DE Russell Scott, WR/DB Derrick Moore

TOP NEWCOMERS: RB/DB Jacob Roberts, WR/DB Amon Dade, LB Tyler Spear, LB Tylek Sorrell, LB Daniel Brooks, LB Jamal Fisher

In Raider camp, the numbers are up, energy is up and the new kids

are receptive. Does that mean coach William West can turn around a team that’s won only one Northern Neck District game in two seasons? He’s optimistic.

“We’re Rappahannock. We know that and very seldom are we the favorite coming into any contest,” said West, who begins his 10th season with the Raiders.

With 36 varsity players, “we’re happy with what we’ve got,” he added. “We’ve got some new up and coming JV kids, plus a good group of juniors and seniors back.”

West has eight returners on offense, including center Josh Bell and guard David Furrow, who’ll anchor the offensive line.

The offensive veteran is senior Jacob Dunaway, a four-year starter

at quarterback. “He’s gutsy and has endured

through the last three years. He’s never been one to quit or point f in-gers of blame,” said West. “So with Dunaway back, we expect some big things on that side of the ball.”

West also returns an experience corps of running backs in Keith Veney, Divine Veney and DeAndre Garner.

“Our starters got the varsity carries last year, so they’ll be our starters again,” said West. “Each one brings his own swagger to the game. Divine is a force to bring down and we’re really looking forward to him having a superb year on both sides of the ball.”

D. Veney, a second team all-district defensive end, will also start on the defense, where West returns four starters.

“We’re young, with three of our four returners in the secondary,” said West. “But we’re confident. We’re hoping to create some things with this defense to give us some good field position.”

With some uncooperative weather and scheduling last year, Rappahannock didn’t get in a scrimmage and hit the ground run-ning in September.

“That hurt us,” said West. “It was two or three games in before we had even worked out some positions.”

The Raiders will get some pre-season play time at Middlesex and Windsor this year before beginning regular season play at home against the defending state champion Essex. Despite the positives, most area coaches have picked the Raid-ers to again finish in fifth or sixth place in the league.

Jersey Name Grade Position1 Jacob Dunaway 12 QB/DB7 Flannery Collins 11 QB/DB9 Brandon Fallin 11 RB/DB10 DeAndre Garner 11 RB/DB12 Jacob Roberts 11 RB/DB20 Delonte Johnson 12 RB/DB21 Ray Gaskins 11 TE/LB22 Josh Olverson 12 WR/DB24 Amon Dade 11 WR/DB25 Tylek Sorrell 10 RB/LB29 Stewart Rice 12 TE/LB30 Daniel Brooks 12 RB/LB31 Keith Veney 12 RB/DB32 David Robertson 11 WR/DB33 Derrick Sumiel 10 RB/DB42 Enrique Ochoa 11 WR/DB44 William Hoover 10 QB/DB49 Russell Scott 11 TE/DE50 Kevin Barnes 11 OL/LB52 Brandon Wilkins 11 OL/DL53 Troy Cowles 12 OL/LB54 Josh Bell 11 OL/DL55 Jamal Fisher 9 RB/LB56 David Furrow 11 OL/DL60 Nicholas Barrack 11 OL/DL65 Tercel Butler 9 OL/DL68 Brendon Gray 11 OL/DL70 Jacob Stanley 11 OL/DL72 Ralph Smith 11 OL/DL77 Mitchell Hale 9 OL/DL78 DeAndre Wood 10 OL/DL81 Tyler Spear 10 TE/LB82 Aaron Rock 10 TE/DB84 Derrick Moore 11 WR/DB90 William Hawkins 11 RB/DE91 Divine Veney 12 RB/DE

POWERANALYSIS

THE ROSTER


WASHINGTON & LEE EAGLESCOACH: Malcolm Lewis (15th year, 106-53)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Edgar Carey, Jake Spears, Dean Taylor, John Cottom, Ricky Fones, Chris Evans, Sheldon Bell, Lee Richards

LAST YEAR: 4-1 Northern Neck District, 8-3 overall as Region A, Division 2 semifinalist

BASIC OFFENSE: Mutliple I

BASIC DEFENSE: 3-5

TOP RETURNERS: QB/DB Bryan Burrell, WR/LB Travis Seager, OL Raymond Johnson, WR T.J. Campbell

TOP NEWCOMERS: RB Jah Send Bean, DE Tim Gordon, LB Dorian Garner, OL Matt Chatham, OL Aaron Turner.

As always, coach Malcolm Lewis is singing the “oh, woe is me,” song. But for the first time in his 15-year tenure in Montross, he may not be over

exaggerating. The Eagles aren’t necessarily young — Lewis suits up 39 juniors and

seniors — but they are inexperienced. Quarterback Bryan Burrell and receiver Travis Seagar are the only returning senior starters. Lewis brings back just three starters on offense and only one on defense and many of this year’s start-ers weren’t even varsity backups last season.

Although turnout at camp is at a record high — with 110 eighth- through twelfth-graders playing — Lewis says it’s about quality not quantity.

“The numbers are promising, but actual success on the gridiron will be about finding enough hard-nosed, dedicated young athletes that are quick learners,” said Lewis.

“They need to grow up quick,” he added. “I’m basically starting last year’s JV team.”

The offense is anchored by Burrell and Lewis’ go-to rusher Jah Send Bean, who despite his inexperience will likely have most of the totes. Burrell’s receivers, which include last year’s quarterback TJ Campbell, have lots of athleticism.

With just one starter returning on the offensive line in right guard Raymond John-son, that’s the unit Lewis says has to develop quickly.

Seagar, at inside line-backer, is the only defensive

starter returner and will have to step up and lead an untested stopping unit that includes three new linemen.

This is the most extensive rebuilding year Lewis says he’s had. “But I am impressed with these kids,” he added. “They are a great group of

young men. I just need them to toughen up a bit...The optimist in me says we will come together and find something.

“We could go 7-3 and we could go 0-10. It’s hard to say,” said Lewis. “What we need to do is try to be competitive week to week.”

Although W&L graduated most of last year’s team, which advanced to the Region A, Division 2 semifinals, coaches around the Northern Neck are giving Lewis some respect as a coach and picking the Eagles to finish in the top two or three.

Jersey Name Grade Position1 Bryan Burrell 12 QB/DB 2 Pip Bankhead 11 FB/LB3 Marcus Smith 11 WR/DB4 Otho Gaskins 11 WR/DB6 Dorian Garner 12 WR/DB7 Thomas Henry 11 WR/DB8 Jimmy Sumiel 12 WR/DB9 Josh Fones 11 QB/LB10 Dustin Owens 12 FB/LB11 T.J. Campbell 12 WR/DB15 Evan Lewis 12 K/P17 Wade Bibbens 11 RB/DL18 Dwayne Sydner 12 WR/DB21 D.A.Wilson 11 WR/DB22 Quaran Campbell 12 RB/LB25 Terry Hardin 12 RB/LB27 Malik Ortiz 11 FB/DL30 Jerome Saunders 11 WR/DB32 Jah Send Bean 12 RB/LB34 Davon Peyton 11 FB/LB38 Devonte Hagar 12 WR/LB40 Earnest Reed 12 FB/LB42 Marquis James 11 RB/LB

Jersey Name Grade Position44 Kwame Gray 10 RB/DB50 Rashaun Tate 11 RB/LB51 Daquan Doggett 10 RB/DB53 Juandre Wise 10 OL/DL55 D.J. Jackson 10 OL/DL58 Juan Murillo 10 OL/DL63 Davon Johnson 12 OL/DL66 Nigel Jenkins 11 OL/DL68 Matt Chatham 12 OL/DL70 Luis Ramirez 11 OL/DL72 Raymond Johnson11 OL/DL74 Tim Gordon 11 OL/DL75 Jerry Robinson 11 OL/DL77 Vinny Minor 12 OL/DL78 Aaron Turner 9 OL/DL80 Travis Seager 12 WR/LB81 Grady Boswell 11 WR/DB83 Earnest Hamilton 12 WR/DB86 Brandon Boswell 12 WR/LB87 Kevin Fauntleroy 11 WR/LB88 Trevor Yeatman 11 WR/LB89 Matt Trau 11 K/P

POWERANALYSIS

THE ROSTER

“There’s no real doormat in this district, you’ve got to bring something every Friday night. You’ve got to work hard, scout and be pumped up every week.”

—Eagles coach Malcolm Lewis


COLONIAL BEACH DRIFTERSCOACH: Jeremy Jack (9th year, 58-30)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Scott Foster, Earl Payton, Keith Dickerson, George Devers, Pat Ey

LAST YEAR: 2-3 in the Northern Neck District, 4-6 overall

BASIC OFFENSE: Single wing

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-4

TOP RETURNERS:OT/DT Jacob Hoffmas-ter, TE/LB Josh Sanford, TE/S Randy Ruczynski, FB/DT Michael Jackson

TOP NEWCOMERS: RB Timmy Jackson, QB/CB Kiante Dickerson, RB Damien Eiras, C Jamie Little, OT John Farley.

Colonial Beach didn’t exactly receive a warm and fuzzy welcome into the Northern Neck District last season. Two years ago in the Tidewa-

ter District, coach Jeremy Jack and his Drifters finished as the Region A, Division 1 runner-up. Colonial Beach went 2-3 in the Northern Neck last season and 4-6 overall and Jack graduated some key personnel in quarterback Dylan Farinet and rusher Travis Cundiff. The good news, though, is they were two of only five graduates.

“We have a lot of experience returning,” said Jack. “Albeit, we are still a very young team with a lot of juniors earning starting positions.”

Jack’s offensive and defensive lines are the most experienced units on the team. Jacob Hoffmaster, a 5’10”, 315-pound senior, will anchor a hefty offensive line that averages 249 pounds.

The offensive front, including ends Randy Ruczyn-ski and Josh Sanford, includes six returners. Ruczynski caught 20 passes last season and Sanford 17.

Michael Jackson, a small 5’6”, 145-pound senior, will actually add experience to the defensive line.

“We expect both to be major impact players,” said Jack.

Senior fullback Timmy Jackson, who earned some starting time as a sophomore, will start in the backfield and try to fill Cundiff’s shoes.

Junior Kiante Dickerson has earned the quarterbacking job and senior Damien Eiras will tote at running back.

The Drifters will struggle with numbers and again have some key players pulling double duty including Eiras, Hoffmaster, Jackson, Dickerson and end/safety Ruczyn-ski. That won’t help when they play the likes of Essex and Washington & Lee, who fill 50-plus rosters. In fact, Jack says he’ll have to dress a few JV players to give his older guys a break.

Most of the district coaches have picked Colonial Beach to finish in the bottom half of the standings, at fifth or sixth.

POWERANALYSIS

THE ROSTER

Jersey Name Grade Position1 Dion Gonzalez 10 RB/DE3 Josh Thomas 10 TE/LB4 Kiante Dickerson 11 QB/DB7 LaShaad Thompson 9 QB/LB8 Markiece Johnson 9 RB/LB10 Tim McDowney 10 QB/DB12 Alex Gorfida 12 TE/DE13 DezJohn Parker 8 TE/LB14 Charles Pierce 9 RB/LB15 Wes Virgil 8 TE/DE17 Nick Graves 8 QB/LB19 Brandon Penfield 10 TE/DB21 Michael Jackson 12 RB/DL23 Damien Eiras 12 RB/LB25 Timmy Jackson 12 RB/LB32 Brandon Phillips 9 RB/LB33 Carlos Bermudez 9 RB/LB36 Randy Ruczynski 12 TE/DB50 Mike McGorda 10 OL/DL

Jersey Name Grade Position51 Zeke Pryor 12 OL/DL52 Mark Singleton 10 OL/DL53 Davante Harris 9 OL/DL55 Aaron Fisher 10 OL/DL57 Jackson Catlett 11 OL/DL58 Matt Collins 9 OL/DL60 Tyler Vickery 11 OL/DL61 Frankie Jacobo 9 OL/DL64 Jason Vickery 10 OL/DL68 Michael Phillips 12 OL/LB69 Jacob Hoffmaster 12 OL/DL71 Xzavius Tate 10 OL/DL74 John Farley 11 OL/DL75 JonVincent Callirgos10 OL/DL76 Jamie Little 11 OL/DL84 Jimmie Foster 11 RB/DB85 Josh Sanford 11 TE/LB88 Travis Irvine 11 TE/DE

THE ROSTER


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Good Luck to All Area TeamsHave a Safe Season!

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THE RECORD

SPORTS ONLINE www.rrecord.com

A preview of Northern Neck District football · Carol Consalvi A Great Source for local sports ......

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