A preview of Northern Neck District football

Rappahannock Record
GRIDIRON 2010
A preview of Northern Neck District football
INSIDE
GRIDIRON 2010
4 Playoff hopefuls
Lancaster has speed and talent
and striving for postseason play
6 Experienced but young
9
Loaded with skill
Rappahannock returns skill
players, coach is optimistic.
10 Rebuilding
Northumberland hoping
to rebound from last year’s
0-5 district record
W&L has record numbers
but few returners
8 Leadership shift
11 Tough in
Defending state champion
Essex has new coach
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Good Luck Area Teams
CONTRIBUTORS
LISA HINTON-VALDRIGHI STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
ROBERT MASON JR. EDITOR
SUSAN SIMMONS PAGE DESIGN
SARA AMISS AD MANAGER
MARILYN BRYANT&JOANNA MARCHETTI AD SALES
Carol Consalvi
Evan Antonio and Johnmall Jenkins will start on Lancaster’s defensive line.
2߄ßGRIDIRON
September 9, 2010
2010
Good Luck & Good Health
to all Student Athletes.
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King George at Colonial Beach
Essex at Rappahannock
King & Queen at Lancaster
Northumberland at Middlesex
Manassas Park at Washington & Lee
New Kent at King William
September 17
Colonial Beach at Manassas Park
Lancaster at Rappahannock
King & Queen at Northumberland
King William at Caroline
Franklin at Mathews
Charles City at West Point
September 24
George Mason at Colonial Beach
Essex at Nandua
Lancaster 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 Sussex
Surry at Lancaster
Northumberland at Windsor
Rappahannock at Middlesex
Washington & Lee at Northampton
West Point at Franklin
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Colonial 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 15
Rappahannock at Colonial Beach
Essex at Northumberland
Lancaster at Washington & Lee
Mathews at King & Queen
West Point at Middlesex
October 22
Colonial Beach at Essex
Rappahannock at Lancaster
Washington & Lee at
Northumberland
King & Queen at West Point
King William at Mathews
Middlesex at Northampton
October 29
Colonial Beach at Northumberland
Lancaster at Essex
Washington & Lee at Rappahannock
King William at Middlesex
Mathews at West Point
November 5
Lancaster 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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GRIDIRON߄ß3
LANCASTER RED DEVILS
T
he Red Devils are hungry for a playoff berth.
Despite a 3-2 Northern Neck record and successful 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 something new, going Monday, Wednesday and Friday for
the first two weeks of practice.
The breaks, he said, made the players “so much
4߄ßGRIDIRON
September 9, 2010
fresher” on practice days. “And the output was so
much better. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said
Birchett.
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
With 16 total returners, Birchett brings back almost
TOP RETURNERS: QB/WR/DB Joseph Betts, RB/LB Tiko
all of his offense, minus graduated quarterback
Henderson, RB Shaun Lee, OT Evan Antonio
Sedale Mullen and receiver Kentel Noel.
Senior Joseph “Tay” Betts (5’10”, 160) moves
from wideout to quarterback and will add some speed TOP NEWCOMERS: WR/DB Aaron Manning, OL/DL Ryan
Morgan, HB/LB/P Sammy Somers
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.
The Red Devils didn’t qualify for the Region A, Division 2 playoffs
Birchett calls him a natural and says Betts’
last season despite an 8-2 record. Lancaster returns 16 starters, includ“escapeability is phenomenal.”
ing many of its skill players. As always, the Devils are small but they’re
Decorated rusher Tiko Henderson returns to the
quick and they’ll use that speed in an offense that should be equally as
backfield. Henderson, a senior, was an all-district
dangerous in the air as on the ground. Many of the Northern Neck Disfirst team rusher and was the district’s second leading
trict coaches have picked Lancaster at the top.
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 wideout will be seniors
Shaun Lee, DeAnte
Jones and Corbin Love
and junior Brandon
—Red Devils coach Fred Birchett
Morris. Jones had
13 catches last season and averaged over 21 yards a
reception.
Although Birchett lost a couple of all-district
Offense
POWER
ANALYSIS
“I think what we’ve earned
is respect and that’s a great
thing for the program.”
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).
Defense
THE ROSTER
Somers 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.
Name
Grade Position
Shaun Lee
12
QB/RB/DB
Joseph Betts
12
WR/DB
Corbin Love
11
HB/LB
Michael Coleman 11
WR/DB
Kedrick Lee
10
QB/DB
Montez Thompson11
RB/LB
Brandon Morris 11
WR/DB
Aaron Manning 11
WR/DB
Joel Hudnall
11
HB/DB
James Walters
11
WR/DB
Tiko Henderson 12
RB/LB
Shaq Harvey
12
WR/DB
Samuel Somers 11
HB/LB
Mike Navetta
12
WR/DB
Bridell Carter
9
OL/DL
Brad Smith
9
OL/DL
Jersey
55
56
58
59
60
64
66
69
70
73
74
75
77
81
88
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACK
JOSEPH “TAY” BETTS
TIKO HENDERSON
Name
Grade Position
Danny McGrath 10
OL/DL
TreVaughn Davis 10
OL/DL
Tyrell Smith
11
OL/LB
Clay Hinson
12
OL/DL
William Hall
12
OL/DL
Trevor Comer
11
OL/DL
Kai Antonio
10
OL/DL
K.T. Thomas
12
OL/DL
Ryan Morgan
11
OL/DL
Johnmall Jenkins 12
OL/DL
Chukwan Wiggins11
OL/DL
Evan Antonio
12
OL/DL
Alex Williams
12
OL/DL
Deante Jones
12
HB/LB
Dalton Moore
11
HB/LB
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2
3
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7
8
9
10
12
14
20
21
22
24
38
51
52
Special teams
Go Teams!!
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Jenkins 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.
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GRIDIRON߄ß5
NORTHUMBERLAND INDIANS
I
t’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.”
Offense
Poindexter will be making all the calls this
season, both on offense and defense.
6߄ßGRIDIRON
September 9, 2010
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
He’s still trying to decide who’ll be taking the
LAST YEAR: 0-5 district, 4-6 overall
snaps in his spread formation, whether it will be
junior Tyler Mitchell (5’11”, 140) or junior Chris
BASIC OFFENSE: Spread formation
Waller (6’3”, 173).
Waller would make the move from receiver,
BASIC DEFENSE: 3-4
where he played last year.
“Both can play there,” said Poindexter. “One
TOP RETURNERS: RB/S Alex Hall, C/LB Levi Payne, G/DL
is more athletic and the other is more footballTrey Henry, OL/DL Aaron Appleby, T/DL Bradley Exline
minded.”
Junior Alex Hall will get most of the totes at
TOP NEWCOMERS: QB/DB Tyler Mitchell, QB/FS Chris
running back. Hall is a returning starter, one of
Waller, WR/DB Jalen Conaway, WR/DB Corey Loper, RB/LB Jordan
eight on the offense.
Lee, OL Beau Rose, OL Eric Edwards, OL Aaron Greene
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.”
After getting off to an unbeaten 4-0 start last year, the Indians dropped
Passing targets this year include junior Jalen
all of their Northern Neck District games to end the year at 4-6 overall and
Conaway and sophomore Kyle Elmore. Elmore
winless in the district in last place.
is a returning wideout who had 12 receptions last
“Losing three games in a row that we should’ve won and could’ve won,
year while Conaway is a newbie. When Waller and took it out of us. Morale just went down,” said coach John Poindexter.
Mitchell aren’t playing quarterback, both could get
Northumberland should be strong in the skill spots and up front with
time in the slot spots.
eight returning starters on offense.
“What’s great is all my skill guys can play differHowever, after last year’s performance, and Northumberland’s unsuccessent positions,” said Poindexter. “They have size
ful history, all of the district’s coaches picked the Indians to finish in sixth
and speed and all have varsity experience.”
place.
The offensive line, a unit of weakness for past
Indian teams, may not be that this season. Poindexter 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
— Indians coach John Poindexter
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
POWERANALYSIS
“The numbers aren’t great but
the quality is good.”
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.”
Defense
THE ROSTER
As 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
Jersey Name
Grade Position
59
Aaron Appleby 12
OL/DL
8
John Jones
12
RB/LB
7
Corey Loper
12
DB
66
Zack Donovan 12
OL/DL
56
Trey Henry
12
OL/DL
15
Daniel Boyd
12
WR/DB
51
Levi Payne
11
C/LB
1
Alex Hall
11
RB/S
14
Jacob Jewell
11
WR/DB
52
Eric Edwards 11
OL/LB
4
Jalen Conaway 11
WR/DB
79
Christian Kent 11
OL/DL
9
Tyler Mitchell 11
QB/DB
55
Aaron Greene 11
OL/DL
50
Beau Rose
11
OL/DL
75
Bradley Exline 11
OL/DL
80
Marshall Goddard11
WR/DB
with Jewell, who makes the move from the cornerback spot. Playing outside linebacker will be Lee
and Conaway.
Elmore and Jewell should start at the corners
with Waller, Hall and Mitchell taking turns downfield 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 teams
The 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.
Jersey
23
10
24
13
11
12
44
32
17
58
57
40
54
60
33
Name
Grade Position
Jordan Lee
10
RB/LB
Kyle Elmore
10
WR/DB
Patrick Cox
10
WR/DB
Zack Newman 10
QB/DB
Jonathan Hinton10
WR/DB
Stacy Seldon
10
RB/DB
Shawn Redmond10
RB/LB
Nick Turner
10
RB/DB
Randy Seldon 10
OL/LB
Tyler O’Bier
10
WR/DB
Devonta Butler 9
OL/DL
Deshaud Murphy9
OL/DL
Dakota Galvies 9
DB/LB
Collin Donovan 9
OL/DL
Nick Keranen 9
OL/DL
Daniel Keranen 9
WR/DB
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GRIDIRON߄ß7
ESSEX TROJANS
COACH:
Robbie Jenkins (1st year)
ASSISTANT COACHES: Clifton
Balderson, Gerard Reynolds, Mike Creel, Kenny
Newsome, Keith Hendricks, Mike Patterson and
Brian Butler
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
POWER
ANALYSIS
Jones is gone. But there’s still life at Essex. The Trojans are coming
Ttheodd
off their best season in school history with an unbeaten 10-0 record and
state Group A, Division 2 championship under their belts.
THE ROSTER
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
LAST YEAR: 5-0 district, 14-0 overall as
TOP NEWCOMERS: WR Adarius Booker, County just a few days before practice was supposed to begin. Jenkins, who
the Region A, Division 2 champion
RB Levonte Bundy, OL Deiondre Darby
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
BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple formations
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
Jersey Name
Grade Position
Jersey Name
Grade Position
a lot of key skill players to graduation including last year’s
44
Rodney Jamison 12
TE/DL
1
Angelo Taylor
12
WR/DB
district players of the year and all-state players, quarterback
50
Demonte Taylor
11
OL/DL
2
Adarius Booker
11
WR/DB
Lyndon Garner and linebacker Chuck Sumiel.
52
Zach Cullingsworth 11
OL/DL
3
Quame Geen
12
WR/DB
He does return Deon Hammond, an all-Group A wide
53
Douglas Hill
11
OL/DL
4
Montel Sayles
12
WR/DB
receiver,
who makes the move from catcher to passer and
54
Eric Ashlock
12
OL/DL
5
Joe Pollard
12
WR/DB
fills
Garner’s
vacancy.
55
Alvin Taylor
12
OL/DL
6
James Hence
12
RB/LB
James Hence, an all-Region A running back, will return
56
Jaquan Holmes
11
OL/DL
7
John T. Davis
12
WR/LB
to the backfield. Hence rushed for 1,675 yards and 16
60
Deiondre Darby
10
OL/DL
8
Carlton Pollard
12
WR/DB
touchdowns last season.
62
Tommy Coleman 12
OL/DL
9
Jacob Slaughter 12
WR/DB
“As a team, we want to get back to where they were at,
66
Erich Green
12
OL/DL
10
Curtis Johnson
12
WR/DB
but that will take a lot of work,” said Jenkins. “We have a
67
Avante Johnson
12
OL/DL
11
Quinton Bryant
11
WR/DB
lot of new guys that will have to step up.”
68
Danny Reynolds 12
OL/DL
12
Marcus Garner
11
QB/WR
As always, Essex fills one of the largest rosters in the
69
Michael Meagher 12
OL/DL
13
Ricky Harris
12
WR/DB
Northern Neck with 49 varsity players.
70
Eugene Dandridge 12
OL/DL
14
Deon Hammond
12
QB/WR
“We will have just one or two guys playing both ways,”
73
Deon Darby
12
OL/LB
15
Levonte Bundy
11
RB/LB
said Jenkins. “Having our numbers is a big help, especially
74
Walter Lee
12
OL/DL
20
Ben Vessels
12
RB/DB
in the fourth quarter when people need a breather.”
75
George Brown
12
OL/DL
22
Montel Sayles
12
WR/LB
Having a couple of veterans in Montel Sayles and John
76
Terrence Darby
11
OL/DL
23
Chris Baker
12
WR/DB
T. Davis back in the stopping unit will help make the
“defense pretty decent,” said Jenkins. “We should be good
77
Austin Keffer
12
TE/LB
24
Travonte Davenport 12
WR/DB
up front at guard and with our linebacking corp.”
78
Marcus Dabney
12
OL/DL
27
Tyrell Ware
10
WR/DB
Because Essex is Essex, Jenkins knows they’re “wearing
80
Steve Coles
12
TE/DL
28
Keith Fagains
11
WR/DB
a bull’s eye.” Everybody wants to beat the state champion.
86
Dylan Davenport 12
TE/DB
38
Wade Davenport 9
OL/DL
But because of the recent personnel changes and
88
Phillip Baker
12
WR/DB
40
Harold Corbin
11
OL/LB
because many of the talented skill players have graduated,
89
Isaiah Morris
12
TE/DL
42
Quinzell Brown
12
WR/DB
area coaches aren’t picking Essex to finish in the top spot.
Alex Mitchell
11
OL/DL
Most still have them as the district runner-up, though.
8߄ßGRIDIRON
September 9, 2010
THE ROSTER
Jersey
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60
65
68
70
72
77
78
81
82
84
90
91
Name
Grade
Jacob Dunaway 12
Flannery Collins 11
Brandon Fallin 11
DeAndre Garner 11
Jacob Roberts 11
Delonte Johnson 12
Ray Gaskins
11
Josh Olverson 12
Amon Dade
11
Tylek Sorrell
10
Stewart Rice
12
Daniel Brooks 12
Keith Veney
12
David Robertson 11
Derrick Sumiel 10
Enrique Ochoa 11
William Hoover 10
Russell Scott
11
Kevin Barnes
11
Brandon Wilkins 11
Troy Cowles
12
Josh Bell
11
Jamal Fisher
9
David Furrow
11
Nicholas Barrack 11
Tercel Butler
9
Brendon Gray
11
Jacob Stanley
11
Ralph Smith
11
Mitchell Hale
9
DeAndre Wood 10
Tyler Spear
10
Aaron Rock
10
Derrick Moore 11
William Hawkins 11
Divine Veney
12
Position
QB/DB
QB/DB
RB/DB
RB/DB
RB/DB
RB/DB
TE/LB
WR/DB
WR/DB
RB/LB
TE/LB
RB/LB
RB/DB
WR/DB
RB/DB
WR/DB
QB/DB
TE/DE
OL/LB
OL/DL
OL/LB
OL/DL
RB/LB
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
TE/LB
TE/DB
WR/DB
RB/DE
RB/DE
RAPPAHANNOCK RAIDERS
COACH: William West (10th year, 32-60)
BASIC DEFENSE: 3-4
ASSISTANT COACHES: Rick Harmon, Troy
Sumiel, James Carey, Mike Finerfrock, Jarrese Commock, Brandon Fauntleroy
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
LAST YEAR: 1-4 district, 2-8 overall
TOP NEWCOMERS: RB/DB Jacob Roberts, WR/
BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple formations
DB Amon Dade, LB Tyler Spear, LB Tylek Sorrell, LB
Daniel Brooks, LB Jamal Fisher
POWERANALYSIS
Raider camp, the numbers are
Iarenup,receptive.
energy is up and the new kids
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 fingers 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 alldistrict 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 running 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 preseason 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 Raiders to again finish in fifth or sixth
place in the league.
September 9, 2010
GRIDIRON߄ß9
WASHINGTON & LEE EAGLES
COACH: Malcolm Lewis (15th year, 106-53)
BASIC DEFENSE: 3-5
ASSISTANT COACHES: Edgar Carey,
TOP RETURNERS:
Jake Spears, Dean Taylor, John Cottom, Ricky
Fones, Chris Evans, Sheldon Bell, Lee Richards
QB/DB Bryan Burrell,
WR/LB Travis Seager, OL Raymond Johnson,
WR T.J. Campbell
LAST YEAR:
TOP NEWCOMERS: RB Jah Send Bean,
4-1 Northern Neck District,
8-3 overall as Region A, Division 2 semifinalist
DE Tim Gordon, LB Dorian Garner, OL Matt
Chatham, OL Aaron Turner.
BASIC OFFENSE: Mutliple I
THE ROSTER
Jersey
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
15
17
18
21
22
25
27
30
32
34
38
40
42
Name
Grade
Bryan Burrell
12
Pip Bankhead
11
Marcus Smith
11
Otho Gaskins
11
Dorian Garner
12
Thomas Henry 11
Jimmy Sumiel
12
Josh Fones
11
Dustin Owens
12
T.J. Campbell
12
Evan Lewis
12
Wade Bibbens
11
Dwayne Sydner 12
D.A.Wilson
11
Quaran Campbell 12
Terry Hardin
12
Malik Ortiz
11
Jerome Saunders 11
Jah Send Bean 12
Davon Peyton
11
Devonte Hagar 12
Earnest Reed
12
Marquis James 11
10߄ßGRIDIRON
Position
QB/DB
FB/LB
WR/DB
WR/DB
WR/DB
WR/DB
WR/DB
QB/LB
FB/LB
WR/DB
K/P
RB/DL
WR/DB
WR/DB
RB/LB
RB/LB
FB/DL
WR/DB
RB/LB
FB/LB
WR/LB
FB/LB
RB/LB
September 9, 2010
Jersey
44
50
51
53
55
58
63
66
68
70
72
74
75
77
78
80
81
83
86
87
88
89
Name
Grade
Kwame Gray
10
Rashaun Tate
11
Daquan Doggett 10
Juandre Wise
10
D.J. Jackson
10
Juan Murillo
10
Davon Johnson 12
Nigel Jenkins
11
Matt Chatham
12
Luis Ramirez
11
Raymond Johnson11
Tim Gordon
11
Jerry Robinson 11
Vinny Minor
12
Aaron Turner
9
Travis Seager
12
Grady Boswell
11
Earnest Hamilton 12
Brandon Boswell 12
Kevin Fauntleroy 11
Trevor Yeatman 11
Matt Trau
11
Position
RB/DB
RB/LB
RB/DB
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
WR/LB
WR/DB
WR/DB
WR/LB
WR/LB
WR/LB
K/P
POWERANALYSIS
s always, coach Malcolm Lewis is singing the “oh, woe is me,” song. But
A
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 starters 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
“There’s no real doormat in starter returning
on the offensive
this district, you’ve got to
line in right guard
bring something every Friday Raymond Johnson, that’s the unit
night. You’ve got to work
says has to
hard, scout and be pumped Lewis
develop quickly.
Seagar, at
up every week.”
inside line—Eagles coach Malcolm Lewis 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.
POWER
ANALYSIS
C
COACH: Jeremy Jack (9th year, 58-30)
BASIC DEFENSE: 4-4
ASSISTANT COACHES: Scott Foster,
Earl Payton, Keith Dickerson, George Devers,
Pat Ey
TOP RETURNERS:OT/DT Jacob Hoffmaster, TE/LB Josh Sanford, TE/S Randy Ruczynski,
FB/DT Michael Jackson
LAST YEAR: 2-3 in the Northern Neck
TOP NEWCOMERS: RB Timmy Jackson,
District, 4-6 overall
QB/CB Kiante Dickerson, RB Damien Eiras, C
Jamie Little, OT John Farley.
BASIC OFFENSE: Single wing
Name
Dion Gonzalez
Josh Thomas
Kiante Dickerson
LaShaad Thompson
Markiece Johnson
Tim McDowney
Alex Gorfida
DezJohn Parker
Charles Pierce
Wes Virgil
Nick Graves
Brandon Penfield
Michael Jackson
Damien Eiras
Timmy Jackson
Brandon Phillips
Carlos Bermudez
Randy Ruczynski
Mike McGorda
Grade
10
10
11
9
9
10
12
8
9
8
8
10
12
12
12
9
9
12
10
Position
RB/DE
TE/LB
QB/DB
QB/LB
RB/LB
QB/DB
TE/DE
TE/LB
RB/LB
TE/DE
QB/LB
TE/DB
RB/DL
RB/LB
RB/LB
RB/LB
RB/LB
TE/DB
OL/DL
Jersey
51
52
53
55
57
58
60
61
64
68
69
71
74
75
76
84
85
88
Name
Grade
Zeke Pryor
12
Mark Singleton
10
Davante Harris
9
Aaron Fisher
10
Jackson Catlett
11
Matt Collins
9
Tyler Vickery
11
Frankie Jacobo
9
Jason Vickery
10
Michael Phillips
12
Jacob Hoffmaster 12
Xzavius Tate
10
John Farley
11
JonVincent Callirgos10
Jamie Little
11
Jimmie Foster
11
Josh Sanford
11
Travis Irvine
11
September 9, 2010
Position
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/LB
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
OL/DL
RB/DB
TE/LB
TE/DE
THE ROSTER
olonial Beach didn’t exactly receive a warm and fuzzy welcome into
the Northern Neck District last season. Two years ago in the Tidewater 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.
Jersey
The offensive front, including ends Randy Ruczyn1
ski and Josh Sanford, includes six returners. Ruczynski
3
caught 20 passes last season and Sanford 17.
4
Michael Jackson, a small 5’6”, 145-pound senior, will
actually add experience to the defensive line.
7
“We expect both to be major impact players,” said
8
Jack.
10
Senior fullback Timmy Jackson, who earned some
12
starting time as a sophomore, will start in the backfield
13
and try to fill Cundiff ’s shoes.
14
Junior Kiante Dickerson has earned the quarterbacking
15
job and senior Damien Eiras will tote at running back.
17
The Drifters will struggle with numbers and again have
19
some key players pulling double duty including Eiras,
21
Hoffmaster, Jackson, Dickerson and end/safety Ruczyn23
ski. That won’t help when they play the likes of Essex and
25
Washington & Lee, who fill 50-plus rosters. In fact, Jack
32
says he’ll have to dress a few JV players to give his older
33
guys a break.
36
Most of the district coaches have picked Colonial
50
Beach to finish in the bottom half of the standings, at fifth
or sixth.
COLONIAL BEACH DRIFTERS
GRIDIRON߄ß11
Go Fight Win
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Good Luck
Area Teams!
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GO!
FIGHT!
WIN!
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>ˆ˜Ê-ÌÀiiÌ]ʈ“>À˜œVŽ]Ê6ÊUÊ{Îx‡£Ó££
12߄ßGRIDIRON
September 9, 2010
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