The Goochland Gazette – 1/6/2022 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Goochland History: Decades ago, county’s ‘gold belt’ glittered > page 2

Volume 66 Number 1 • January 6, 2022

Local clinic says dental care still a critical need

SNOW DAY

Ongoing GRTC project to highlight needs across region

New hire will help to clear backlog of cases, says director

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When it comes to providing crucial medical care for those in need, dental services may not be the first thing most people think about. Nevertheless, says GoochlandCares executive director Sally Graham, dental care remains a crucial part of the services the county nonprofit organization provides. “Dental is one of the most critical services we perform, GRAHAM because you can’t get dental care if you don’t have money,” Graham told county supervisors during a Dec. 7 board meeting. “You can go to an emergency room and get medical care, but you can’t get dental.” Graham told supervisors that the clinic is facing a backlog of dental care requests after having to close the facility’s dental clinic for several months due see Dental care > page 3

Supervisor: Micro-transit could be good for Goochland

Courtesy photo

blast of sleet and snow blanketed Goochland on Monday, canceling schools, closing business and knocking out power to homes across the region. Still, some chose to make the best of things, including Lynn Francis, who sent us this shot from her Sandy Hook backyard.

While residents aren’t likely to see regular bus service make its way out to Goochland any time soon, District 2 supervisor Neil Spoonhower is hoping to cash in on the county’s annual contribution to the Central Virginia Transit Authority. Thanks to a taxx on gas and groceries created by the General Assembly in 2020, 15% of the money each locality in the CVTA collects goes to Greater Richmond Transit System (GRTC). During a board of supervisors meeting on Dec. 7, Spoonhower urged residents to take part in a see GRTC > page 2

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January 6, 2022

Serving Goochland County

Goochland History Revealed

Since 1955

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Classifieds ......................13-14 Obituaries .............................. 4 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................8-9 Photograph courtesy of the Goochland Historical Society

TV Listings ......................10-12

A century ago, county’s ‘gold belt’ glittered Pictured here is Paul Bailey inspecting a power washer used to separate minerals at the Bertha and Edith Gold Mine tract. Gold was first discovered in Goochland in 1829. An estimated 48 mines and prospects once operated in Goochland’s ‘gold belt near the Fluvanna line. The Bertha and Edith operated periodically from before the Civil War until 1939.

GRTC continued from >1 micro-transit survey available on the GRTC website, noting that the survey would help the bus service determine what, if any needs, it could help meet in Goochland. Spoonhower pointed specifically to residents served by the GoochlandCares bus, which helps those in need get to medical appointments and other services, and suggested that some sort of “on-call” bus service could be a possibility for Goochland in the future. “This micro-transit study is critical for our community,”

said Spoonhower. “Not just to help identify the many transportation needs our citizens face, but it becomes an issue of fairness. To me it isn’t very fair that 15% of the tax revenue generated by our citizens with the CVTA tax go to transit services that don’t serve our county. Our citizens should benefit from their hard earned tax dollars.” On Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, the Authority hosted a public hearing to gather input on a commitment of FY 2021 and FY 2022 regional transportation revenues to a slate of proposed regionally significant projects. The 17-member Authority, chaired by Frank

J. Thornton (Henrico), voted to commit $113,871,073 to advance regional transportation projects. In Goochland, funding will be provided for a study of the I-64 / Ashland Road Interchange and I-64 / Oilville Road Interchange. “This is a great day to be a resident of the Richmond Region,” said Thornton after the vote. “Through the collaborative efforts and hard work of our nine localities, this fledgling organization makes these financial commitments to advance our transportation network for the benefit of all our citizens, across all nine of our jurisdictions.”

CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Laura McFarland Managing Editor (804) 363-1577 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Robby Fletcher Sports Editor (804) 380-0497 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Denine D’Angelo Production Manager (804) 775-4624

Thursday

January 6, 2022

Pet of the week The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, has this sweet boy available to a good home. If you’re looking for a family-friendly hound, then Gary might be the one for you! This adorable dog is sure to bring joy and laughter to your family home. Gary is great with people and other dogs and enjoys playing fetch and going on walks. He is 2-4 years old and weighs about 40lbs. Gary is neutered and up to date on all his vaccinations. For more information on Gary, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Goochland Animal Shelter, call (804) 556-5302. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.” The shelter’s hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the shelter is asked to make donations payable to Goochland Animal Protection.

Property Transfers 2 parcels; Edward Holman Parrish III to Andrew W. Pryor Jr., $297,500. 2.014 acres; Jeffrey D. Bobbio to Broad Street Goochland LLC, $516,000. 20.001 acres; Charles J. Ferrell to Coonwill LLC, $174,600. 3 lots, Section 2A, Mosaic at West Creek; HHHunt Mosaic LLC to Schell Brothers Richmond LLC, $390,000. 6 acres; R. Kennon Guerry to Mary G. Tucker, $270,000. 610 acres; Kimberly Paulin, executor to Donald Wayne Hall, $324,900. 99.4 acres; Chinkyu Bailey to New Ventures Real Estate LLC, $350,000.

County announces expanded transfer station hours Contributed report

Goochland County has announced new expanded Sunday hours at the county’s two convenience centers beginning in the new year. Starting on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, both the Central and Western Convenience Centers will be open on Sundays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dental care continued from >1 to the loss of volunteer dental providers who decided to retire due in part to concerns over COVID-19. The group has now hired a new dentist, Graham said, and services have resumed. Graham said GoochlandCares is now also set to become a Medicaid provider for dental care, meaning they can bill the state for the services they provide. Graham said she and her

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

The convenience centers are currently open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The expanded Sunday hours mean Goochland’s convenience centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. seven days a week. Expanding Sunday hours is

the latest effort by Goochland County to offer citizens expanded access and opportunities to dispose of household trash and recycling. Goochland County’s Central Convenience is located at 1908 Hidden Rock Lane in Maidens, and the Western Convenience Center is located at 3455 Hadensville-Fife Road.

team made the decision to become a Medicaid provider after finding out that none of the dentists currently operating in the county were taking on new Medicaid clients. “Sixty percent of the patients we see in the clinic have Medicaid but can’t find a provider,” Graham pointed out. “Our mission is to fill the gaps, and that’s a big gap.” Asked by District 1 supervisor Susan Lascolette about why no local dentists have been willing to take on more Medicaid clients, Graham admitted that there are likely several factors

at play. One issue, she told board members, is that fear keeps some Medicaid patients from showing up to appointments. “You’ve got a population who hasn’t necessarily--they’re not familiar with the dental care system,” said Graham, “so they don’t really know how to navigate it. People are just afraid. So I’d say that people who are in Goochland who, uh, who have Medicaid, they’re just not seeing a dentist. It’s not that they’re going to Henrico as much as they’re just not seeing anybody until it’s just critical.”

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January 6, 2022

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Obituary WE ARE NOW OPEN

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of Corrections. He DANIEL T. SIMMS enjoyed hunting, fishDaniel Timothy Simms, 31, of Sandy ing and spending time Hook, Va., passed away on December 25, with his family and 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, friends. He was a true Danny; and sister, Kristie. He is survived by outdoorsman and a his mother, Helen; fiancé, Amanda; daughlongtime member of ter, Makayla; sisters, Cindy Allen (Dennis) the North American and Karen Creasey (Scott); nephews and Hunting Club. Daniel nieces, Ben Allen and Lauron and Logan SIMMS was raised on a small Creasey; great-niece and nephew, Jay and Maleah; and many other family and friends. family farm and always loved farm life and Daniel was employed by the Department taking care of the animals. He was very

much loved and will be missed by many. We know God has him in heaven, and we will see him again. A graveside service was held on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Columbia, Va. Please dress in casual or hunting clothes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mount Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 4768 Shannon Hill Road, Columbia, Va. 23038. Arrangements are being handled by Norman Funeral Chapel in Goochland, Va.

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District chiefs gather for look back at 2021 election The Goochland County Electoral Board and local election officials recently held a wrap-up meeting to discuss the successful 2021 election. Pictured, from the left, are Julia Norris, assistant chief at 402 Centerville; Patricia Bolling, chief at 402 Centerville; Diana Nixon, assistant chief at 202 Sandy Hook; Barbara Shelton, chief at the Central Absentee Precinct (CAP); Larry Finnegan, chief at 201 Three Square; Kris Hutchinson, assistant chief at 102 Hadensville; Kendall Hutchinson, deputy registrar; Bob Walker, assistant chief at 301 Court House 1; Shannon Grayson, chief at 102 Hadensville; Cindy Alvis, assistant chief at 502 Blair, and Linda Boggs, assistant chief at 401 Shallow Well.

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McGuire’s bill would place SRO in every school By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Del. John McGuire, R-Goochland, has announced that he will be introducing legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session that will put a school resource officer (SRO) in every public elementary, middle and high school across the Commonwealth. McGuire said in a Dec. 1 statement that the move is intended to provide additional safety measures for students. “Ensuring our children’s safety while at school is one of my top priorities for the upcoming session,” said McGuire, who

introduced similar legislation last year. “Not only would placing an SRO in every public school provide an additional measure of security for our children, but it will create new law enforcement jobs across the Commonwealth, and show our children that our men and women in blue are there to serve and protect our communities.” Goochland County Public Schools currently has one school resource officer at Goochland High School and one at Goochland Middle School. These deputies are staffed by the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office. According to Goochland County School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley, the county’s three elemen-

tary schools are not staffed with full-time school resource officers but do receive regular visits from deputies as a part of their patrol duties. “I am grateful for the ongoing collaboration and partnership our school division has with the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office,” said Raley in an e-mail last week. “Our school resource officers are critical members of Team Goochland who benefit the work of our division greatly through their presence, skilled training, support and counsel for our students, family and staff.” The Virginia General Assembly is set to convene on Jan. 12 for the 2022 session.

Thursday

January 6, 2022

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Visit bewellva.com for more information about suicide, healing, and wellness. If you are interested in receiving services, please reach out to Goochland Powhatan Community Services at 804-556-5400 or 804-598-2200. We are a Lock and Talk Partner in Preventing Suicide.

This message is sponsored by the Rural Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition of Goochland and Powhatan. Visit rsaac.org for more information

Thursday

January 6, 2022

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Trying to please everyone? Good luck in this galaxy By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Of all things we’ve learned as a society over the past few years — and there have been plenty — perhaps one of the enduring lessons is this: Do not, under any circumstances, name anything after Powhatan County, our neighbors just across the river, may have been adhering to this core principle years ago, when tasked with naming the county’s beautiful new elementary school. Local leaders did put out a community-wide request for suggestions at the time, though sadly, even though I was covering local news in Powhatan at that time, I can’t recall even one. What I do know for certain — and what is confirmed every single time I drive by that lovely campus — is the name they eventually settled on: Flat Rock. That’s right. Flat…rock. It is a name so impossibly dull and uninspired that it begs anyone to

come up with one to rival it. Can you think of anything more boring than a flat rock? Go ahead, try it — I’ll wait. You see what I mean? It’s just not possible. In Powhatan’s defense, Flat Rock is also the name of the area where the school is located, a place that, legend has it, drew its name from a large flat rock where Native American ceremonies were held. So, as a name for the school, it did make complete sense. It was also a prescient move, considering the choppy, woke waters that all governing bodies would soon be tasked with navigating. A flat rock, after all, has no thoughts on any topic that might bear even a whiff of controversy, and no one is going to pop up and accuse it of inappropriate behavior. Unless you manage to get between it and a hard place, or it gets dropped on your head, it will cause you literally no issues. Unfortunately, the team tasked

with naming NASA’s revolutionary new telescope, a piece of equipment scientists say will allow them to study “every phase in the history of our Universe,” were not as forward-thinking as the small town leaders to our south. They chose to name the telescope after James Webb, the pioneering head of NASA from 1961 to 1968, a man who, according to the agency, “did more for science than perhaps any other government official.” Unfortunately, Webb was also, while not found to have engaged in discrimination himself, in a leadership role at NASA during a time when gay men and women did face persecution. What eventually followed the name announcement was an outcry from a small handful of scientists concerned that naming the telescope after Webb would essentially be condoning the continued persecution of the LGBTQ community, though an investigation into the matter by NASA ultimate-

ly found no compelling reason to change the name. The controversy will likely be relegated to a footnote, but clearly a chance to avoid the problem was missed early in the process. That choice they could have made? To simply name the groundbreaking new telescope something that absolutely no one could have argued with. Perhaps they could have called it given it some fancy Latin name, or just thrown up their hands and called it The New Really Great Big Telescope. Or maybe they could have taken a cue from the late, great High Priest of Pop himself and called it The Telescope Formerly Known As The James Webb Space Telescope. In the end, I think what matters most is that we all learned a valuable lesson here: Nothing you do is ever going to make everyone happy. Not in this galaxy anyway.

Facing your first mammogram? Fear not, says writer By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

Boobs. Ta tas. Jugs. Twin peaks. Cha-Chas. Knockers. Bouncers. The Girls. Bazongas. Double whammies. Are you still there? Given the topic of this column — getting my

first mammogram — I thought I would go ahead and announce my intentions up front. If you can’t handle the first paragraph, this column might not be for you. If you are still with me, things are about to get personal. Believe it or not, part of the first

Editorial & Business Office and Mailing Address: 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 Toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 344-8746 Online: www.goochlandgazette.com

Publisher Managing Editor Editor Sports Editor Sales Representative Classifieds Production Manager

Joy Monopoli

jmonopoli@RSNVA.com

few lines of this column were written in November 2020. I had just turned 39 and realized that I was a year away from getting my first mammogram. A few of those nicknames for breasts popped in my head, made me chuckle and gave me the idea to write this when it actually came time

to have it done. The file has been sitting on my computer desktop ever since. The file was resurrected last week when I actually went and had my first mammogram done and finally see Mammogram > page 12

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette.

Laura McFarland lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com Roslyn Ryan

rryan@gooochlandgazette.com

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Send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com © 2022 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 8,014.

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End of season offers lasting feeling of joy By Jim Ridolphi Contributing columnist

It would be futile to ignore those feelings of warmth and belonging that accompany the holiday season. The joy of reuniting with family or gathering for that special reunion are seasonable reminders of the things that are really important in our lives and the importance of connecting with family and friends. I’m not sure why these feelings are so closely associated with Christmas and why many of us feel the need to be close to those they love at this time of year. It’s also a mystery how those who so diligently observe every civility during the few days surrounding the holiday can return to lives that often do not include those simple acts of contrition or compassion. Through decades of celebration I’ve learned the true happiness of the season resides in those simple things that make the holiday special. Ornaments hung on trees from decades of memories reveal histories of Christmas past, or remember those who are no longer here to celebrate with us. With each passing year, the most well-worn of those ornaments are the ones closest to my heart — that heart shaped Christmas tree with a baby’s photo in the center or a battered badge denoting baby’s first Christmas. What they lack in luster, they more than compensate for with meaning, and their frayed edges tell the story of a family. With passing years, the excitement of Christmas morning has waned for me, and the real joy of the season is experiencing that same excitement by the ones you love; and those Christmas traditions that somehow seemed burdensome in your younger days see Joy > page 7

Thursday

January 6, 2022

Yard waste, paper top recent list of materials recycled in Goochland and surrounding area Contributed report The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority’s reported 58.1% regional recycling rate for 2020 was formally accepted last week by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. This means an estimated 58.1% of the waste generated in Goochland and CVWMA’s 12 other member localities in calendar year 2020 was recycled and kept out of area landfills. A total of 600,426 tons was recycled. CVWMA’s regional recycling rate was the fifth highest in the state, according to the Virginia Annual Recycling Summary Report issued by DEQ. The authority is one of 71 solid-waste reporting units in Virginia. “CVWMA is pleased that our 2020 regional recycling report has been approved,” CVWMA Executive Director Kimberly A. Hynes said.

Joy continued from >6 become the staples of the celebration. For example, a simple drive through the city to observe decorations is no longer a mission to find the tackiest lights or the most bizarre displays of Christmas cheer, and is now highlighted with the joy of a simply decorated tree sitting on a solitary hill. While we rode through the Fan District admiring the large variety of decorations and endless streams of lights, I took particular notice of the front windows of the historic homes. The sight of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree sitting in the living room filled

Serving Goochland County

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

“The recycling rate of 58.1% is remarkable considering the challenges that our residents and businesses faced in 2020. It shows that the people of Central Virginia are truly committed to recycling. We are grateful for their continued participation.” CVWMA coordinates recycling and other waste management programs with 13 area local governments. The authority compiles the annual regional recycling rate and submits it to DEQ. State law requires that the region recycle at least 25% of its waste each year. Recycling programs include residential (curbside) collection and drop-off centers, as well as programs for yard waste, electronics, appliances, batteries, household hazardous waste and tires. The CVWMA region consistently has exceeded a 55% regional recycling rate for more than a decade.

Yard and wood waste, which is composted or chipped into mulch, accounted for the top recycled item in 2020, with 284,432 tons. Paper material, including cardboard, office paper and newspaper, made up 144,996 tons. Metal accounted for 124,136 tons. The recycling rate is calculated by dividing the amount recycled in the region by the amount of trash generated. CVWMA uses a national estimate of 4.9 pounds of trash per person per day, multiplied by the region’s population of 1.2 million, to figure the amount of trash generated. The amount recycled is gathered voluntarily from local and national businesses that provide recycling service to the area. CVWMA serves the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, the town of Ashland, and the counties of Charles City,

with family and friends provided me with the spirit of the season. The warmth of a crackling fire and dimly lit bulbs provided a form of decoration that evokes the Christmas spirit for me. While my children marveled at the unique collection of lights and inflatables, I searched for that uniting bowl of egg nog and the warmth of a family gathered to celebrate the season. It’s the warmth of the celebrations, the sense of unity and the promise of the season that make it special, and for two weeks of the year, all of us take a minute to reflect and remember. As we prepare for a new year filled with uncertainty and challenges, paying that Christmas spirit forward

could make that journey more palatable. Placing all of those special ornaments in old worn boxes and returning them to storage should not represent the end of a season of caring and compassion, but should, more importantly, remind of us of the things are truly important in our lives and provide inspiration for the upcoming months. Caring for the less fortunate, addressing confrontation with compassion or understanding a different point of view are seasonal messages that serve all of us well for the months that follow, and adhering to and maintaining the promise that makes Christmas a magical time of year is perhaps the most sincere celebration of the season.

Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and Prince George. For more information, visit www.cvwma.com/cvwmadata-center/.

Since 1955

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Adult Continuing Education Classes in Goochland

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Thursday

January 6, 2022

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

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Gators win Capital City Classic By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor ate in the first quarter of the Capital City Classic championship game against the Central Virginia Homeschool Athletic Association, Saint Gertrude head coach Robyn D’Onofrio watched as her team defended an under-thebasket inbound and had a simple comment. “That’s just beautiful.” That comment could apply to a lot of Saint Gertrude’s play during the title game, as they played a nearly flawless game of basketball in a 73-23 blowout to capture the title. Guard Erin Woodson was named the tournament MVP after leading the team with 23 points, while senior center Kate Samson was named the championship’s Most Outstanding Player. While Woodson and

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Junior guard Erin Woodson (right) drives to the rim for a layup in Saint Gertrude’s title game victory over CVHAA during the Capital City Classic on Dec. 30, 2021.

Samson earned the accolades, it was truly a team effort from the Gators, who outclassed the Patriots from the moment the ball was tipped off. The Patriots scored 10 points in the first quarter, and never reached double-digit scoring figures again after that while the Gators’ triangle offense and unselfish play had no problems generating points. All 10 players who checked into the game for the Gators scored at least one basket, with Samson and guard Ava Fulkerson joining Woodson with scoring in double figures. To start the game, Woodson scored a quick seven points in the first four minutes with a corner three off-the-catch delivered with speed and precision by guard Sam Smith putting the Gators up 12-4. From there, it was a 9-2 run with 1:33 left in the first quarter to give the Gators a 21-6

lead. Poor passing doomed the Patriots, who needed to play a near-perfect game to keep up with the Gators’ constant ball movement, sharp 3-point shooting and size in the paint. The Gators went into the second quarter up 23-10, and that lead would grow to 40-12 at the end of the half. Coach D’Onofrio’s team wouldn’t let up on the Patriots, continuing to play the kind of basketball that won them a VISAA state championship last season. Second quarter highlights include power forward Cherese Lampkins putting her defender in the spin cycle with a post move for two points, and Woodson doing it all with five points and two blocks going into the half. Even with a 28-point lead going into the third quarter, the Gators seemed completely motivated to close the game

out with the same brand of basketball that got them the lead in the first place. For the second consecutive quarter, the Patriots were held to just two points for an entire quarter, and by the end of the third, the Gators’ lead went up to 41 points. Saint Gertrude’s bench played the majority of the fourth quarter, and junior guard Elise Hickman led the Gators in scoring with five points as the celebration on the bench started early. Even after winning by 50 points in a game they had from the very beginning, the Gators showed class and humbleness after the game as they walked off the court as the Capital City Classic champions. Saint Gertrude plays again on Jan. 11 on the road against Virginia Episcopal School. Tip-off starts at 6 p.m.

Cadets comeback falls short in Capital City third place game By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

In the Capital City Classic hosted by Benedictine at the McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion, the Cadets fell short in the third place game against Archbishop Ryan despite nearly coming back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, 68-65. After beating Cristo Rey in the first game, Benedictine was knocked out of the championship bracket after losing to St. Anne’s-Belfield School in a down-to-the-wire thriller on Thursday night. That paired

them up with the Raiders to decide who took home third place in the eight-team bracket on Friday. The Cadets were led in the scoring department by the duo of guard Davin Cosby and forward Jaden Daughtry, who combined for 52 points. Cosby hit six 3-pointers during the game and added 11 points during the fourth-quarter comeback. The Raiders were in control for most of the game, leading 33-27 at the half and carrying a 16-point lead into the final frame. Led by center Thomas

Sorber’s 18 points, the Raiders’ interior scoring frustrated the Cadets at every turn. The Cadets wouldn’t go down easy on their home court though, and intense on-ball defense forced multiple turnovers and quick buckets to get them back in it late. A fourpoint play by Cosby and a coastto-coast layup by Daughtry cut the lead down to four with two minutes left, forcing pressure on Archbishop Ryan to hit its free throws. After failing to grab a rebound on a free throw attempt by Raiders guard Talen

Snead, controversy struck the gym with 34 seconds left when Sorber missed two straight attempts at the free-throw line, yet earned a third chance when the referee called a lane violation on Benedictine. Sorber wouldn’t miss the third chance, and the call would be a decisive blow to Benedictine’s chances to complete the comeback despite Cosby getting a half court heave off at the buzzer that went wide left. Benedictine plays again on Jan. 6 when they take on Freedom at home. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Benedictine guard Davin Cosby (3) challenges Archbishop Ryan center Thomas Sorber (35) in the Capital City Classic third place game on Dec. 30, 2021. Cosby scored 29 points in Benedictine’s 68-65 loss.

Thursday

January 6, 2022

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

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After All-State selection, Black looks to keep working By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

hen Goochland kicker Tyler Black was listed onto the Class 3 All-State Second Team after his junior season with the Bulldogs, it was a surprise and an honor for Black. Yet, the recognition was never something that was on his mind during the course of the season. “It just kind of happened,” he said. The thing you have to know about Black is that the focus is never on what he is now as a kicker, but what he’s trying to become. Black, by all accounts, had a solid season with the Bulldogs; he was four-of-six on field goal attempts with a long of 38 yards, 26-of-31 on extra point tries and had 45% of his kick-offs go for touchbacks. Certainly good enough numbers to earn AllState honors, but Black is working on both the mental and physical aspects of the position in order to become a more accurate kicker. Particularly, he wants to ensure that those few misses he did have aren’t happening next year. “I definitely know I can be 100% on those,” Black said about his extra point misses. “And the two field goals I missed I know what I did wrong and lately I’ve been working on making sure that doesn’t happen again.” During the offseason, Black’s been working on everything from the clutch kicks with the clock winding down to the most basic PATs so that he’s prepared for everything thrown his

Contributed photo courtesy of Joel Brown Goochland junior kicker Tyler Black kicks off for the Bulldogs in Goochland’s game against Charlottesville High School on Oct. 8, 2021. A total of 45% of Black’s kick-offs went for touchbacks in a junior season that earned him All-State Second Team honors.

way next season. Working with his dad, who has been his personal coach since he started kicking in middle school, has been something of a staple for Black’s training regimen, but he’s also been working with professional kicking coach Dan Orner for the last year and a half. Orner, who is the lead evaluator of kickers and punters for Team USA Football and has worked with kickers all over the country at the high school, collegiate and professional level, has been doing individual training sessions that Black says have given him and his dad new ways to approach the position’s intricacies. “He’s been helping both me and my dad really figure

out what I need to do to get better and help my team out as best I can,” Black said. “I’m just making myself more consistent with my thinking and not over-thinking too much.” One such drill Black’s been doing with Orner is a timebased drill that gives Black a 15-second timer and a 45-yard field goal that tests his ability to get into the correct mindset quickly while not rushing his form on the kick. Black is confident in his ability to keep his form consistent on even the farthest kicks, but he says the discipline to do the same thing every time regardless of the situation or distance is what he really wants to continue improving on. “I think it can be a little

more mental than anything,” he said. “My dad tells me I have the physical capabilities to be super accurate, but mentally you’ve got to keep disciplined to keep your body in a good position and do the same thing over and over again and not waver from that.” When Black isn’t working with Orner, he’s still keeping busy to work on his game on his own. He kicks every other day while also working with Goochland’s track team as an indoor pole vaulter, which he won a state title in last March. As a result of his work ethic, Black is seeing his efforts pay off. He recently notched a new career-long

field goal from 60 yards out during one training session, which bested his previous personal best of 56 yards that he earned while at a kicking camp. Black says the 60-yard attempt came from his dad pushing his kicks farther back during a training session in order to test how Black’s form looked when it went past his usual limits. Black knows that the kicker is an often underappreciated and overlooked position in the game of football. It’s someone that can decide a game, but is not always given the spotlight until the opportunity arises where, with the game on the line, one kick can be the difference between a win or a loss. Not every-

one can handle the pressures of the position, but Black is clearly up to the challenge. Now that he’s got an AllState honor to his name, there’s a certain level of credibility that comes when he steps out onto the field. People know what his leg is capable of, but they may not know about the work he’s put in since he became All-State to be an even better player. With the game on the line and the Bulldogs in need of a big play from their special teams ace, they’ll surely see the strides he’s made to become the kicker that he is today. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

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January 6, 2022

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