AUGUST 2022 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO The Farmville Herald The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch The Charlotte Gazette F OOTBAL LHIGHPREVIEWSCHOOL
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Last year, Buckingham saw four games decided by six points or less, splitting them with a heart-breaking loss to Strasburg in the Region 2B quarterfinals where they saw a 16-point lead evaporate in a 22-19 deci sion.Since that defeat that closed out their 2021 season at 6-3 overall, the Knights have been eager to get on the gridiron and show they’re ready to take another step forward.
SETH WILKERSON Buckingham Knights Head Coach BUCKINGHAM
E xciting moments and close finishes were the norm for the Buckingham County Knights the past couple seasons. In 2019, they pieced together a nine-game winning streak and edged Page County, 20-19, in overtime in the regional quarterfinals.
A TALENTED RETURNING GROUP
Of those gifted athletes, several will play multiple positions and get to showcase their versatility. One of them is senior K.J. Williams, a dynamic play maker that is likely to play quarterback and tailback offensively, plus line up in the secondary on defense at both cornerback and safety. In the playoff game against Strasburg last November, Williams rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Another senior expected to get snaps at QB along with wide receiver and defensive back is Kymeir Lock ett, a player that like Williams could garner All-District or even All-Region accolades. The same may very well be true for senior tight end and defensive end Tucker Motley, one of seven start ers returning on defense for a Knights team that gave up just 13.4 points per game a season ago. That was their best showing since 2009.
One step closer: With veteran team, Knights built for success
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BY MATTHEW HATFIELD
“We missed a couple games because of COVID and that kind of put us behind, but they got better as the year went along,” Wilkerson noted of the defense.Another player that figures to be a major contributor on both sides of the
“We’ve been working hard in the off-season. These guys have been in the weight room since January, getting ready for the season. I’ve got a good group of seniors coming back. It’s a very coachable group that listens, too,” remarked four-year head coach Seth“We’veWilkerson.gotsome talented skill guys back. Each day, we’re just working and trying to get better at the small things that we do.”
4 ball is senior tailback and linebacker Rocco Raynor. Going both ways doesn’t exclude the linemen either. In the trenches, senior Desmond Vaughan returns as the starting center and is going to be a key component on the d-line as well.
A NEED FOR DEPTH
Buckingham Knights 2022 Schedule Aug. 26 – at Appomattox Sept. 9 – William Campbell Sept. 16 – Fuqua Sept. 23 – at Prince Edward Sept. 30 – at Franklin Oct. 7 – at Randolph-Henry Oct. 13 – at Nottoway Oct. 21 – Amelia County Oct. 27 – at Central of Lunenburg Nov. 4 – Cumberland — ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M. —
“We know that’s a big game. That’s a good measuring stick for where we are for the season,” Wilkerson acknowledged. “It’s always a good, well-coached team. We can get an idea from the scrimmages, but that first game really tells us where we are at as far as what’s going good, what we need to improve on and go from there.”
“We lost a few on the offensive line that were seniors last year, so building that back up will be big. We do have a couple guys back there that are com ing along,” remarked Wilkerson, fully recognizing the value of getting the backups ready to step in and start at a moment’s notice so that this group can reach its full potential. “It’s the same as it is for everybody else, establishing depth. There are some younger guys that we have to get them on the same page as those seniors. Depth is the big key right now.”Buckingham opens the 2022 season against Appomattox, who the Knights beat 27-6 in 2019 in the last meeting between the two teams. Appomattox has won five of the past seven state titles at the Class 2 level, including three in a row from 2015-17.
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E ntering his third year at the helm of the Randolph-Henry Statesmen, head coach Ray Conner is getting to experience a full off-season for the first time. Conner took over for Zach Orlando following the 2019 campaign, and because of CO VID-19, the Virginia High School League decided to move football from the fall of 2020 to the spring of 2021. After only getting in a few games during the months of April and March, Randolph-Henry had to turn around and play again come September. The results were encouraging as the Statesmen went 5-4 during the regular season, securing The Statesmen are working hard to prepare for the upcoming high school football season. Statesmen want to get to the next level RANDOLPH-HENRY
BY MATTHEW HATFIELD
As the case is with most successful football teams, it all starts with the lead ership and direction of the upperclass men. Their dedication has made for the proper preparation as they approach the Aug. 26 opener against Nelson County. “It’s going really well,” Conner added of summer workouts. “We’ve got some impact players that have quick-score ca pabilities. I’ve got more team speed than we had last year. That’s going to add to the mix, too. Just having veteran players means a lot.” Three seniors that are going to be depended on to produce on both sides of the ball are
Robertson.back/wideGeeandParkerlinemenCottrellJaydenaswellasreceiverdefensiveJa’QuanteConnercalls Cottrell, “a warrior on the field that oth ers feed off of and always wants to do his best.” Similar sentiments are echoed about Gee, a 1st Team All-James River District selection on the defensive line that is described as a “leader and hard worker.” Ditto for Robertson, who he says, “works really hard,” and is a “true leader.”
6 their first playoff appearance since 1996. With that and a host of returnees – in cluding nine starters back on offense and seven starters returning defensively – do the thathardertotoitof“HavingConner2022?tumthatcanbelieveStatesmentheybuildoffmomenrollinginto“Wedo,”replied.atastetheplayoffs,enablesuscomebackworkeventogettonextlevel.”
2022 Schedule Aug. 26 – Nelson County Sept. 1 – at Fuqua Sept. 16 – Surry Sept. 23 – Central of Lunenburg Sept. 29 – at Amelia Oct. 7 – Buckingham Oct. 14 – Arcadia Oct. 21 – Cumberland Oct. 28 – at Nottoway Nov. 4 – at Prince Edward — ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M. — BurtonChad Ja RobertsonQuante CottrellParker
Randolph-Henry Statesmen
Even though they’re the headliners, that trio is well-aware of the importance of everyone being in sync to achieve the common goal. “They know it’s a total team effort,” sivejuniorfortowell.”teammatescounteveryonethe“TheypointedConnerout.trytogetbestoutofandontheirasAfewotherswatchoutincludedefenbackElijah
Charlton, senior outside linebacker Chad Burton, senior two-way lineman Shyhemi Wilson, and junior running back Kanye Dailey.Even with the improvement seen, there is still a lot to prove for the Statesmen. They’d like to cut down on the 33 points per game allowed from a season ago and earn a better playoff seed in Region 2A than the No. 8 spot, where they were greeted rudely by top-seeded Nottoway in a 67-16 rout that did not go in their favor.Todo that, getting off to a good start is imperative. Randolph-Henry hasn’t opened 3-0 since 2010 and would like to begin the season on a winning streak to boost their chances of earning the school’s second postseason victory. “We have the chance to be really good, and our guys will get after it,” Conner stated. “If we stay injury-free, I really feel like we can play ball-control, but also we can score at will. We should have the ability to run the football effectively and we can definitely throw it as well. If we have to, we can score quickly. We just need to stay healthy, play off of each other and not give up the big plays.”
7 Come Join Our Team At Cumberland Schools we offer an assortment of sport programs to reach the interest of all students! 1541 Anderson Highway Cumberland, VA 23040 804.492.4212 www.cucps.k12.va.us
JOSHUA FLEENOR Cumberland Dukes Head Coach CUMBERLAND JacobPrice
BY TREVIN BOWLES
He spoke about what he expects from his pro gram as far as on the field and off, saying “our moto here is ‘all in.’” His main goal is just to create and maintain a positive culture, expecting work and effort from his ath letes.Aslong as his team does that, Fleenor feels the wins will“Thiscome.game is 95% men tal, so I want to establish that grit before we even get out on the field Friday night,” he said, adding his focus is on not only pro ducing good athletes but also young men.
LOOKING AT EXPECTATIONS
hen you’re a first year coach, all eyes are always on you. Not just what you bring to the program as far as wins and losses, but what you bring to the team as far as culture and building a program that will last. Coach Joshua Fleenor be lieves he has the recipe that can make the Cum berland Dukes rise to new heights. Although it’s his first year as head coach, he’s worked in the program for the last four years, so Fleenor already has some insight as to what the team needs to do to improve.
a new
“We’ve had some athletes, but we struggled in a lot of places,” he said, adding the team is relying on building through the young players.
There’s Duke in town
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“We had a lot of success at the JV level,” he added, “and we’re looking to continue developing those guys and bringing their success up to the varsity level.”
Fleenor also spoke about a few players that would be a big help this season, as far as leader ship “Jacob Price is always leading from a positive standpoint. Very rarely do you hear him putting his teammates down,” the coach said. Price says that’s his job, to build up his team.
“It all comes back to the positive culture,” Fleenor said. “Everybody doesn’t go onto the next level, so if we can create that
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“I’ve played a lot of football, so in a lot of situations, I feel like I know what I’m doing,” he said.
Johnson said the team knows this won’t be an immediate turnaround.
“If we can go out there and keep the score respectable and have tough and like minded people then I call that a success,” Johnson said. “All good programs are built on something, something that means something to them, something that drives them to play, drives them to work hard and be successful.”ForCumberland, Coach Fleenor said it goes back to just having pride in the program.
‘CUMBERLAND WILL BE DIFFERENT’ Price feels like they have a good group of guys, and that Cumberland will be different from teams in years past.“This team is turning around, it’s not the same Cumberland as it was before,” he added. Junior running back Antwaun John son feels like he’ll play a part in that change. Part of that involves helping install a culture.
outsideanythingdowethat’syoungasbuilddaythemexperiencepositiveforonFrinightsandthemuprespectableadults,whatwanttomorethanelseofwinning
games.” AntwaunJohnson Cumberland Dukes 2022 Schedule Aug. 25 – 6 p.m. – Franklin Sept. 2 – at William Campbell Sept. 9 – King & Queen Central Sept. 16 – at Nelson Sept. 23 – Nottoway Sept. 30 – Prince Edward Oct. 7 – at Central of Lunenburg Oct. 13 – Amelia Oct. 21 – at Randolph-Henry Oct. 28 – Surry Nov. 4 – at Buckingham — ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED —
“I just want to make sure everybody is working as hard as they can and keeping respect between each other,” Johnson said. In games, he wants to make sure “nobody slouched and gave it all they had.”
The rising junior feels he can help teammates through his experience.
BY MATTHEW HATFIELD
A LOOK AT OFFENSE
S ince becoming the head coach at Fuqua in 2013, Ben Manis has dealt with some ups and downs. Certainly the ups are more enjoyable to think about and remember. Yet, the difficulties encountered from the past year-plus, stemming from the challenges created by the pandemic and player departures, made it all the tougher to put a winning product on the field.With a host of underclassmen thrust into prominent roles, the Falcons man aged only two victories.
One of the more accomplished quar terbacks on the private school football scene returns for Fuqua in senior Nate Reed, a Second Team All-State honoree from a season ago who has asserted himself in command of the offense. “He has tremendous upside. He can throw the ball and run the ball well,” Manis said. “We’re going to really rely on him as airtomakeshiseverywhere.”tosstriggermanthetoitaroundWithaQBofability,itsensegotothewithgreat frequency.“Onoffense, we’re looking to dink and dunk and spread it all over the place to several different receivers,” the coach commented, highlighting seniors Aaron Orange and Matthew Pembelton as pass catchers that will be prominently featured.ForManis, it’s a bit of an adjustment from the style he grew up under. “As a young kid, I came from the FUQUA
BEN MANIS Fuqua Falcons Head CoachReedNate PembeltonMatthew
Coach Manis believes Fuqua is turning the corner
“We only graduated four seniors, so we should be much older than we were last
“We were young to say the least last year. The off-season went a little rough. We lost several guys we were counting on starting and playing this year who went to other schools,” Manis remarked.
On the other side of that coin, bet ter days look to be ahead for a Fuqua football team aiming to use the adverse circumstances they’ve gone through as character building.
lookingandnextthestartedgreat,didn’tofcoupleout.Manisyear,”pointed“Thefirstdayspracticelookbutwetoturncornerthefewdaysthingsaremuch more up.”
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Keep an eye on a promising freshman by the name of Jackson Hicks to become a factor sooner than later. “He saw a little playing time as an eighth grader year and can do a little bit of everything,” Manis noted. “He’s a big-time competitor who plays a lot of baseball, but the football bug has bit himTworecently.”seniors
LedgerJordan
Occupying a couple of the main spots in the secondary will be offensive leaders Reed and Orange. Oettgen and Minix flip over as primary figures on the defensive line.
FUQUA FALCONS 2022 FOOTBALL TEAM Fuqua Falcons 2022 Schedule Aug. 26 – at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy Sept. 1 – Randolph-Henry Sept. 9 – at Roanoke Catholic Sept. 16 – at Buckingham Sept. 23 – Arcadia Sept. 30 – 4 p.m. at Fishburne Military Oct. 8 – 1 p.m. at ChristianFredericksburg Oct. 14 – Massanutten Military Academy Oct. 21 – at Portsmouth Christian Oct. 28 – Isle of Wight Academy Nov. 4 – Catholic — ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED —
graduated on the offen sive line. Along the line of scrimmage are some quality bodies to lean on in seniors Jordan Ledger and Shane Oettgen, juniors Layne Petersheim and Sam Minix, and sophomore Julian Price. Minix moves from tight end to tackle this year. Ledger emerged late last sea son as a standout from the linebacker spot.
“On defense, we’ll probably be addedthingmightnextmentinweeksgressive.andtacklefieldguysourandblitz-happyverytrytogetquickestonthewhocaninspaceplayagSomewe’llbeonealignandtheweekitbesomeelse,”Manis,
HICKS MAKES THE TEAM
realizing the journey is a marathon, not a sprint.“Likewith everybody else our size, our biggest worry is depth. Whoever is healthy and whatever fits in our system against the guys we’re playing is how we’ll approach it on defense.”
10 philosophy of three yards and a cloud of dust. Since then, that’s just not how football is played,” stated Manis, citing their personnel packages will often use a single ball carrier. Orange figures to get a majority of the carries while others get sprinkled in as the season progresses.
Looking at this year’s squad, White says he has weapons at mul tiple positions on both sides of the ball. The positions he spoke about most included his running back and the battle he has for the quarterback position.
A POSITIVE MINDSET
“It all starts with a good positive mindset and these guys have to be coachable,” White said. “That’s really what it starts with.”
“This team has been working hard, they really have and I can see that they’re special,” White said. The team has even set a goal for this year, but they won’t share it.
Last year, the team went 2-8 with a very young squad. But White believes players will learn from those mistakes, feel ing that after recent summer workouts, they’ve bought into what he’s preaching.
PRINCE EDWARD
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Dejuan “Woo’’ Little, his junior running back coming off of a 1,000 yard rushing season, is one of the leaders of this team.“The guys feed off him and his energy,” White said. “This
BY TREVIN BOWLES
Prince Edward Eagles Head Coach DejuanLittle“Woo”
“I don’t even know what it is,” White said. “They won’t tell me.”
LARRY WHITE
Will the Eagles fly again?
BREAKING DOWN THE TEAM
“Everyday when I leave these practices, I ride all the way home with a smile,” said Prince Edward High School Foot ball Coach Larry White. When you’ve been a coach for 14 years and this is the first time you’ve been able to say this about a group of guys, you know what you have is special. White is looking to turn this program around and give Prince Edward Football a new name.White has over 14 years of coaching experience, nine of which was spent coaching middle school at Prince Edward, with two years at Buckingham High School. He then made his return to the program, this time in a new position as the head coach of the varsity football team after the retirement of Coach AlthoughFord.this is his fourth season with the team this is only his third full year due to one year of tenure being cut short due to COVID. But this year he feels it can be the start of something different.
Kameron Ligon prepares to throw a pass in practice.
“They’re both dual threats,” White said. “Hy-keim can be a quarterback and a receiver and Kameron also doubles as a running back,” so no mat ter who wins the quarterback battle, they will still contribute to the team.
One of those quarterbacks, sopho more Kameron Ligon, said he brings something different to the position. The dual sport athlete thinks that his experience with baseball can bring a different dynamic to the team.
“My favorite thing to emphasize is ‘keep the grease hot,’” White said. “When I see something good, let’s keep it going. Let’s keep the grease hot because if it gets cold you can’t cook anyThismore.”season isn’t defined as a suc cess or not by wins or losses, White added. “A success to me is that we put all the pieces together from day one. From what I saw last year we will be successful if we just put the pieces together. It’s going to be a special year for us.”
Prince Edward Eagles 2022 Schedule Aug. 26 – at Chatham Sept. 2 – Altavista Sept. 9 – Nelson Sept. 23 – Buckingham Sept. 30 – at Cumberland Oct. 7 – Greensville Oct. 14 – at Central of Lunenburg Oct. 20 – Nottoway Oct. 28 – at Amelia Nov. 4 – Randolph-Henry — ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED —
“Prince Edward has always been a run heavy school,” Ligon said. “With my arm, I think I give us an opportu nity to pass the ball.”
12 kid has good vision on the field, he’s coachable. I can’t say too much bad about him, he’s the real deal.” “I bring fun to the team,” Little said when asked about his role. “I try to make everything fun and exciting.” He leads on the field by example with his play and leadership. As for the quarterback battle, White said he’s going to let it play out.
“It’s a very positive mood. Our phrase right now actually is positivity brings positivity. We’ve seen that from this group,” said Kaiser, set to embark on his fourth season at the helm.
JOE KAISER Kenston Forest Kavaliers Head Coach KENSTON FOREST
T he Kenston Forest varsity football team is coming off a landmark season in 2021, hoping it springboards them into even greater heights for the fall of 2022.Last year, the Cavaliers finished 10-2 overall and reached the Virginia Inde pendent Schools Football League Divi sion II State Championship, where they fell to Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot. Injuries affected them greatly in their pursuit of the title against a Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot squad they beat in the regular season by a count of 2616 and will get to face at least once this coming season in October.
Coach Joe Kaiser likes what he sees from his unit.
Surrounding Turman are both some new familiar and new faces. Of the new, Noah Cole transferred in from Fuqua for his junior season and is slated to see the ball come his way quite fre quently. There’s also an intriguing sophomore transfer from Nottoway in Zain Queen, who’ll double as a slot receiver and safety. Having played center in college at Bridgewater, Kaiser knows blocking is a must.“Ouroffensive line is young, but very strong and competitive,” he indicated. Two breakthrough performers to Kavaliers looks to build on last season’s momentum
BY MATTHEW HATFIELD
At the forefront of the attack is senior quarterback Tyler Turman, who amassed 1615 yards passing and 711 yards rushing during his junior campaign. Checking in at 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Turman earned First Team All-State honors at both quarterback, where he’s being recruited by such schools as VMI, and linebacker, which colleges like the University of Rich mond see him fitting in at best for the next“That’slevel.a big deal in regards to lead ership for us,” remarked Kaiser on Tur man’s return. “He took us all the way to the state title game and won the first Virginia Colonial Conference Champi onship in 30 years. He’s someone that is really leading the pack.”
“In regards to hard work, this is the hardest working group I’ve had in my four years. In June and July, we did mini camps, weight-lifting, community service up at the food bank. This is just a real quality group.”
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14 watch out for according to Kaiser are senior defenders Ira Ruffin and Cooper Spence.“IraIthink is going to have a break out year. He’s being recruited by some schools in the Midwest,” Kaiser noted. “He’s a smaller guy, but works re ally hard, loves football and actually skipped two grades, so he’s very intel ligent. I think he has a chance to be a darkhorse for an All-State selection.”
“By mid-season last year, Cooper was racking up a bunch of tackles and sacks,” Kaiser pointed out. “He has a mentality and intensity that you really need on the defensive side of the ball.”
Kenston Kavaliers
Forest
“I am realistically optimistic with this group. It’s the oftoButconference.siblyandaweing.onewithI’vestaffcoachingbestthateverhadeveryreturnIthinkcanmakeplayoffruncanposwintheit’sgoingtakealothardwork and dedication on their part,” commented Kaiser. “Yeah, it’s hot. But at the end of the day, we get out there in the evening, work really hard and I think we’ll have a special group again.”
Playing defensive end and linebacker, Spence should follow up on a strong finish to his junior campaign.
Even the unbearable summer heat with temperatures hovering around triple-digits can’t put a damper on the excitement the Kavaliers are feeling about the return of football.
2022 Schedule Aug. 20 – 2 p.m. – at Lawrence Academy (NC) Aug. 27 – 1 p.m. – at Columbia (NC) Sept. 1 – 6:30 p.m. – Quantico Sept. 9 – 4:30 p.m. – at Covenant Sept. 16 – 7 p.m. – at Rappahannock County Sept. 23 – 7 p.m. – Greenbrier Christian Academy Oct. 1 – 6:30 p.m. –ChristianRichmond Oct. 8 – 2 p.m. –Sacrament-HuguenotBlessed Oct. 15 – 5:30 p.m. – Broadwater Academy Oct. 21 – 7 p.m. – at AcademySouthampton Oct. 29 – 7 p.m. – at Brunswick Academy
15 Central of Lunenburg Chargers 2022 Schedule Aug. 26 – at Altavista Sept. 2 – at Mecklenburg Sept. 9 – Brunswick Sept. 16 – William Campbell Sept. 23 – at Randolph-Henry Sept. 30 – at Nottoway Oct. 7 – Cumberland Oct. 14 – Prince Edward Oct. 20 – Nottoway Oct. 27 – Buckingham Nov. 4 – at Amelia — ALL GAMES ARE AT 7 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED —
BY BOB LEWIS Virginia Mercury
B y the time you read this, the grueling aspreseasonmorning/afternoongauntletknown“two-a-days”willhave come and gone. It’s a proving ground in the late summer swelter that pre pares players and bonds them as a unit and as lifelong friends. Weeks before that, players volun tarily conditioned themselves: pump ing iron, running wind sprints and agility drills and mentally readying themselves for the challenges of the weeks and months ahead. And now, within weeks, it’ll be time for games that count. It’s hard to explain unless you are –or ever were – one of those kids. Five decades ago, I was. For most of their young lives, high school football has been these teens’ north star and guiding dream. Friday night heroics with teammates for the greater glory of their schools and communities propels them through carefree sandlot games, countless TV hours studying the sport’s collegiate or professional masters, summer training routines and the exhaustion of the practice field. Over time, the years, months and even weeks take on a familiar, even comforting rhythm fitted to the cycles of football, its season and its off-season. The game is greater than games themselves. The experience goes beyond competition, beyond wins and losses. It’s practical jokes in the locker room, bus rides home after a win, the crack and chatter of snare drums and the thumping bass as marching bands take the field on a crisp Friday evening, a teammate’s reassuring hand up after an embar rassing stumble, and having that same teammate’s back when they need it. Lifelong friendships grow here. There’s a sense of worth, of be longing, of family, all born of a special shared time a time essential to the developing adolescent psyche. When it ends (inevitably, it does), it hurts no matter how long you’ve played. I took off my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads one last time after my final game at Ole Miss in Novem ber 1977. I was lucky. Fairly quickly, my self-identity shifted from ballplayer to that of a newspaperman, a media professional and trusted advisor, not to mention a dad and husband. Yet despite the intervening decades, the VHSL an nouncement hit me hard, not because of who I am but because of who I was. My fondest football years were in highBeingschool.part of a sports team touches the teenage heart and changes him or her forever, and for the better. Back when Richard Nixon was president and a gallon of gas cost less than a quarter, Ray Wooten, my coach at Lake County High School in a poor, close-knit Tennessee farm commu nity, deeply understood strong teams. It was his superpower. He nurtured a fierce loyalty and an us-against-the-world brotherhood, even as he seamlessly led the local ity’s first racially integrated teams in theKennymid-’60s.Chesney captured it per fectly in his homage to high school football: “You mess with one man, you got us all. The boys of fall.” That mindset never leaves. I hope that someday, decades from now after we 1970s boys of fall are gone, those fleeting football moments and the friendships born of them remain strong and bring them comfort.
BOB LEWIS covered Virginia government and politics for 20 years for The Associated Press. Now retired from a public relations career at McGuireWoods, he is a columnist for Virginia Mercury. He can be reached at blewis@virginia mercury.com.
A tribute to the boys of fall
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