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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
SCHEDULE
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HigH ScHool Football ScHedule Friday, Aug. 24
Kettle Run at Warren County, 7 p.m.
Liberty at Culpeper County, 7 p.m.
Central at Skyline, 7 p.m.
Jefferson at Sherando, 7 p.m.
William Monroe at Fort Defiance, 7 p.m.
Sherando at James Wood, 7 p.m.
Millbrook at Loudoun County, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Gap at Luray, 7 p.m.
Jefferson at Millbrook, 7 p.m.
Fauquier at Brentsville, 7 p.m.
East Rockingham at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m.
Clarke County vs. Dominion at Park View, 7 p.m.
Courtland at Liberty, 7 p.m.
Stuarts Draft at Riverheads, 7 p.m.
Culpeper County at Orange, 7 p.m.
Handley at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m.
Loudoun County at Fauquier, 7 p.m.
Spotswood at William Monroe, 7 p.m.
Liberty at Brentsville, 7 p.m. Eastern View at Culpeper County, 7 p.m. William Monroe at Monticello, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Gap at Parry McCluer, 7 p.m. Rockbridge County at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 8 Richmond Christian School at MMA, 1 p.m.
Nelson County at Page County, 7 p.m.
Luray at Madison County, 7 p.m. Fort Defiance at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m. East Rockingham at Spotswood, 7 p.m. Robert E. Lee at Turner Ashby, 7 p.m. Page County at Rappahannock County, 7 p.m. Waynesboro at Stuarts Draft, 7 p.m.
Stuarts Draft at Fort Defiance, 7 p.m. Wilson Memorial at Waynesboro, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 14
Riverheads at Bath County, 7 p.m.
Luray at Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m.
Skyline at Broadway, 7:30 p.m.
Handley at Skyline, 7 p.m.
Madison County at East Rockingham, 7:30 p.m.
Warren County at James Wood, 7 p.m. Sherando at Loudoun Valley, 7 p.m.
Stonewall Jackson at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 1 MMA at R-MA, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 25
Harrisonburg at Handley, 1 p.m.
Warren County at Handley, 1 p.m.
Turner Ashby at Millbrook, 7 p.m. Clarke County at Waynesboro, 7 p.m. Culpeper County at Kettle Run, 7 p.m. Chancellor at Liberty, 7 p.m. Brentsville at Eastern View, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 7
Broadway at William Monroe, 7 p.m.
George Mason at Sidwell Friends, 5 p.m.
Fluvanna at Madison County, 7 p.m.
Stonewall Jackson at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m.
Nelson County at George Mason, 7 p.m.
Skyline at James Wood, 7 p.m.
Robert E. Lee at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m.
Sherando at Broadway, 7 p.m.
Riverheads at East Rockingham, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 31
Millbrook at Washington, 7 p.m.
Page County at Stuarts Draft, 7 p.m.
Strasburg at Luray, 7 p.m.
Dominion at Fauquier, 7 p.m.
Fort Defiance at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m.
Central at Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m.
Brentsville at Kettle Run, 7 p.m.
Rappahannock County at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 30 James Wood at Justice, 7 p.m. Thomas Jefferson at George Mason, 7 p.m.
Good Luck to All Area High School Football Teams!
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SCHEDULE
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The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
HigH ScHool Football ScHedule Saturday, Sept. 15 Christchurch School at R-MA, 2 p.m. MMA at Grace Christian, 5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 21 Strasburg at Warren County, 7 p.m. Stonewall Jackson at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m. Liberty at Sherando, 7 p.m. Millbrook at Fauquier, 7 p.m. James Wood at Hedgesville, 7 p.m. Washington at Clarke County, 7 p.m. Spotsylvania at Culpeper County, 7 p.m. George Mason at Skyline, 7 p.m. William Monroe at Madison County, 7 p.m. Buffalo Gap at Riverheads, 7 p.m. East Rockingham at Page County, 7 p.m. Wilson Memorial at Luray, 7 p.m. Brentsville at Central, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22 Kettle Run at Handley, 1 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 28 R-MA at Fishburne Military School, 4 p.m. Riverheads at Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m. Handley at Fauquier, 7 p.m. Kettle Run at Millbrook, 7 p.m. George Mason at Brentsville, 7 p.m. Page County at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m. Skyline at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m. King William at Central, 7:30 p.m. Warren County at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m. Madison County at Rappahannock County, 7:30 p.m. Stuarts Draft vs. East Rockingham at JMU, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29 MMA at Northern Virginia Homeschool, 2 p.m. Robert E. Lee vs. Wilson Memorial at JMU, 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 5 Hargrave Military Academy at R-MA, 4 p.m. Stonewall Jackson at Page County, 7 p.m.
Culpeper County at Skyline, 7 p.m. Brentsville at Warren County, 7 p.m. Sherando at Martinsburg, 7 p.m. James Wood at Liberty, 7 p.m. Fauquier at Kettle Run, 7 p.m.. Buffalo Gap at Stuarts Draft, 7 p.m. Luray at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m. Wilson Memorial at Riverheads, 7 p.m. George Mason at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m. Clarke County at Central, 7:30 p.m. Madison County at Nelson County, 7:30 p.m.
MMA at Hancock (Md.), 7 p.m. Kettle Run at Liberty, 7 p.m. Culpeper County at Brentsville, 7 p.m. Robert E. Lee at Riverheads, 7 p.m. Luray at Page County, 7 p.m. Wilson Memorial at Stuarts Draft, 7 p.m. Central at George Mason, 7:30 p.m. Madison County at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 26 Hargrave Military Academy at MMA, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6
Central at Riverheads, 7 p.m.
Millbrook at Handley, 1 p.m.
Buffalo Gap at Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m. Brentsville at Skyline, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 12
Warren County at William Monroe, 7 p.m.
MMA at Quantico, 6 p.m. Stuarts Draft at Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m. Manassas Park at Skyline, 7 p.m. Warren County at Culpeper, 7 p.m. Sherando at Kettle Run, 7 p.m. James Wood at Millbrook, 7 p.m. Courtland at Fauquier, 7 p.m. William Monroe at Brentsville, 7 p.m. George Marshall at George Mason, 7 p.m. East Rockingham at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m. Riverheads at Luray, 7 p.m. Page County at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m. Strasburg at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m. Central at Madison County, 7:30 p.m.
Fauquier at Sherando, 7 p.m. Handley at James Wood, 7 p.m. Liberty at Millbrook, 7 p.m. East Rockingham at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m. Page County at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m. Stuarts Draft at Luray, 7 p.m. Madison County at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m. Clarke County at George Mason, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 2 MMA at Fishburne Military, 4 p.m. R-MA at Fredericksburg Christian School, 6 p.m. Skyline at Warren County, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 13 Liberty at Handley, 1 p.m. Blue Ridge School at R-MA, 2 p.m.
Millbrook at Sherando, 7 p.m. James Wood at Kettle Run, 7 p.m. Fauquier at Liberty, 7 p.m. Brentsville at Manassas Park, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 19 Strasburg at Nelson County, 7 p.m. Stonewall Jackson at East Rockingham, 7 p.m. Skyline at William Monroe, 7 p.m. Western Albemarle at Warren County, 7 p.m. Handley at Sherando, 7 p.m. Fauquier at James Wood, 7 p.m. R-MA at Fuqua School, 7 p.m.
William Monroe at Culpeper County, 7 p.m. Wilson Memorial at Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m. Luray at East Rockingham, 7 p.m. Robert E. Lee at Stuarts Draft, 7 p.m. Riverheads at Page County, 7 p.m. Clarke County at West Point, 7 p.m. Strasburg at Central, 7:30 p.m. George Mason at Madison County, 7:30 p.m.
ON THE COVER: Warren County’s Ronnie Dodson, left, Sherando’s Hunter Entsminger, center, and Central’s Kyle Clanton, right, will provide backfield action for three of the area’s high school football teams this season. Rich Cooley/Daily
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
CENTRAL FALCONS
Central looking to build off of historic season Tommy Keeler Jr. tkeeler@nvdaily.com
5
BY THE NUMBERS
WOODSTOCK - Central had a historic season last year, becoming the first team in program history to go undefeated in the regular season. With a lot of last year’s players returning this season, the Falcons have high expectations for what they can accomplish. Central coach Mike Yew said that he hopes his team’s experience will pay big dividends in the upcoming season. The Falcons’ stellar season ended with a 49-21 loss to eventual Class 2 state runner-up Robert E. Lee. Having 17 seniors on this year’s squad should help the Falcons have another solid year.
2018 FalcoNS • Coach: Mike Yew (12th year, 70-53) • Offense/Defense: Pro-I/4-4 • Key returnees: RB/LB Zach Abrams, WR/DB Kyle Clanton, QB Zeb Dyer, OL/DL Declan Franklin, OL/DL Grayson Manning, OL/DL Ezra Smith, RB/LB Shane Watson, WR/DB T.J. Williams • Key losses: WR/DB Varsey Bright, DE Dean Woodwell, OL/DL Andrew Miller, TE/LB Bryan Davis
• 17 - Number of seniors on this year’s Central team has coming back from last year’s 11-1 squad. • 18 - Number of touchdown passes thrown by Central’s Zeb Dyer last season. Dyer completed 61 of his 89 pass attempts for 1,355 yards. • 26 - Number of total touchdowns last season for speedster Kyle Clanton. He scored a touchdown at an average of one out of every 2.7 times he touched the ball.
“We had a chance to play 12 football games last year,” Yew said. “We ran into Robert E. Lee, who was a very good football team. As talented as they were and with us Rich Cooley/Daily file being short-handed didn’t help, so Central’s Christopher Conner runs along the sideline as Buffalo we’re certainly excited about what Gap’s Brandon McCray positions for the tackle during their playoff our potential is this year.” game last season in Woodstock. The Falcons return a lot of players from last year’s squad, which went 11-1. The Falcons have plenty of returners on the offensive side of seven scores. Yew said that junior Kelan the ball. Central senior quarterHoover would serve as the backup Junior Chris Conner also returns back Zeb Dyer will be starting at quarterback and he’s been imto the Central backfield, coming the position for the third year. pressed with what he’s seen from off a sophomore year in which he Hoover in the preseason. Dyer threw for 1,355 yards and had 221 yards and five scores. had 18 touchdown passes on 61Yew said that junior Noah Central has plenty of depth at for-89 passing last year. Williams should also see playing running back, led by seniors time at running back this season. “I feel more confident,” Dyer said. Shane Watson and Hunter “I feel stronger as the leader. I feel Mullins. Watson had 1,315 yards Central senior wide receiver Kyle and 18 touchdowns last season, like I’m helping out the younger CENTRAL, 8 while Mullins had 682 yards and guys pretty good.”
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CENTRAL FALCONS
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2018 scheDule
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
2017 Results (11-1, 6-0 Bull Run DistRict) Aug. 25 beat Skyline, 48-13
Oct. 13 beat Madison County, 77-0
Aug. 24 at Skyline, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5
Aug. 31 at Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Madison County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 beat Stonewall Jackson, 64-7 Oct. 20 beat George Mason, 52-8
Sept. 21 Brentsville, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at George Mason, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 beat Park View (Sterling), 75-21 Nov. 3 beat Strasburg, 42-6
Sept. 28 King William, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Riverheads, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29beat King William, 52-16
Nov. 10 beat Buffalo Gap, 36-12
Nov. 2
Oct. 6
Nov. 17 lost to Robert E. Lee, 49-21
Clarke Co., 7:30 p.m.
Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 beat Manassas Park, 48-0
beat Clarke County, 40-0
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Oct. 27 beat Riverheads, 21-6
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
CENTRAL FALCONS
Manning key cog in Central’s offensive line Tommy Keeler Jr. tkeeler@nvdaily.com WOODSTOCK - Grayson Manning can still remember his first varsity start at Central vividly.
sophomore season, but halfway through the game was moved to center and he’s stayed there ever since.
He said he loves playing at center because he’s more involved in The Central senior offensive lineevery play, whether it’s a run to man was thrust into the Falcons’ the right or the left. Manning said starting lineup in a playoff game he also enjoys being the first one against Buffalo Gap as a freshman to touch the ball on every play. after one of his teammates had suffered an injury the week before. Manning said that he’s played at center for most of his football ca“It was one of the coldest games,” reer, but when he began working Manning said. “I don’t know if I with Central senior quarterback was just so nervous and shaking Zeb Dyer snapping the ball preor it was actually just windy and sented a different challenge cold. It definitely gave me chills, Dyer is left-handed. and I still think about that game.” “Zeb being a left-handed quarterManning said his teammates did back, he likes it a little different a lot to help him get through that than (right-handers),” Manning game and it was a great learning said. “That was a big change for experience. me. (Snapping the ball) has always had its learning curve. You “It was really cool to see,” Mantry to be the best you can.” ning said. “Even though we lost that game we just didn’t miss a Central coach Mike Yew said beat. Even though the next guy Manning does a great job hanstepped up, I feel like everyone dling the responsibility of being knew what they had to do. The of- the center. fensive lineman around me kind “He’s a center; he’s got to touch of knew I was in that new spot the ball and make the snap every and being a younger guy, so that play,” Yew said. “With that, it can’t kind of helped me out.” just be any ordinary kid. It’s got Manning said he started at offensive guard in his first game of the
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Rich Cooley/Daily
Central’s Grayson Manning works through a stretching drill during a practice this year. Manning is one of four seniors returning as starters on the offensive line for the Falcons this season. play.” Manning, along with Declan Franklin, Jacob France, and Ezra Smith, is one of four returning senior starters on the offensive line, and he said that the offensive line group is very close.
“Myself, Declan Franklin and Jake France, the three of us have to be someone who can handle the always played together,” Manning challenge and responsibility every said. “We were always the big,
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oversized guys in Little League and then (junior varsity). And we were just kind of the ones that you knew you played offensive line. And then Ezra Smith, he came in my eighth-grade year, and he’s just been working in, and he fell right into the groove with everyone. Camden Zirk, he’s a year younger than us, a junior MANNING, 9
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CENTRAL FALCONS
8
2017 central stats • Record: 11-1 (6-0 Bull Run District) • Passing leader: Zeb Dyer (61 for 89, 1,355 yards, 18 touchdowns)
Clanton (23 receptions for 642 yards, 9 touchdowns) • Total tackles: Declan Franklin (70)
• Rushing leader: Shane • Sacks: Dean Woodwell Watson (155 carries (9) for 1,315 yards, 18 touchdowns) • Interceptions: Varsey • Receiving leader: Kyle Bright (12)
Central Continued from 5
Clanton should also get some carries out of the backfield. Last year Clanton had 32 carries for 398 yards and 12 touchdowns. Clanton leads a strong receiving core this season. Last year Clanton had 23 receptions for 642 yards and nine touchdowns.
2018 roster No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 14 16 18 20 22 23 24 25 28 30 31
Name Kyle Clanton Zebadiah Dyer Nicholous Houghton Noah Williams Kelan Hoover Landon Shockey Kamren Wells Andrew Daugherty Trent Williams Jr. Hunter Mullins Brevin Scott Jamonta Harris Alexis Lopez Zachary Abrams Shane Watson Jerimiah Doleman-Diaz Corie Marston William Ball IV Justin Estleford Bryce Montgomery Christopher Conner
Pos. WR/DB QB WR/DB RB/LB QB WR/DB WR/DB FB/LB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB RB/LB WR/LB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB
Ht. 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-7 5-8 5-6 5-8 5-10 5-8 5-10 5-11 6-3 5-5 5-6 5-11
Wt. 145 215 175 187 210 146 155 185 145 185 135 131 141 210 190 200 172 165 123 135 175
Yr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
No. 32 33 34 43 44 50 51 53 54 55 56 58 61 62 63 65 66 68 74 78 88
Name Gerson Sorto Lopez Nicholas Pulizzi Christian Spitler Seth Horn Isiah Dyer Tanner Wood Tanner Mullins Grayson Manning David Reynoso Camden Zirk Neddy Portillo Zachary Helmick Cody Sellers Ryan Wetzel Declan Franklin Erik Lopez Jacob Halterman Dylan Mullins Jacob France Ezra Smith Austin Corbin
Pos. FB/LB WR/DB TE/LB TE/DE RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL 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/DB
Ht. 5-8 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-8 5-10 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-2 5-9 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-1
Wt. 172 148 185 160 177 190 252 252 215 242 271 220 250 200 245 210 219 255 272 267 165
Yr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
Seniors T.J. Williams and Nick Houghton will help give Central some depth at the receiving position along with junior tight end Christian Spitler. Yew said junior Landon Shockey and sophomores Alexis Lopez, Brevin Scott and Jamonta Harris should also see playing time at wide receiver.
Central averaged 48 points per contest last season, and a big part of that success came from the Falcons’ offensive line.
“We can run it up the middle, we can bounce it outside, we can pass,” Clanton said. “We have a dynamic offense. The coaches have been saying we are more deadly when we can move the ball around to different people.”
“It should be our strength, no question,” Yew said of the offensive line. “We’ve got four reSenior linebacker Zach Abrams also suffered turning seniors and a returning senior tight end. So it certainly is our strength, and everyCENTRAL, 9 body knows it. We’re going to lean on it.”
With four returning starters back from last year the team is hoping for more of the same success. Seniors Jacob France, Declan Franklin, Grayson Manning and Ezra Smith Clanton said having depth is important to the will look to lead the way for the offense again this season. offense.
On the defensive line, Franklin and Smith will be looking to lead the way. Last year, Franklin had seven sacks for the Falcons. Junior Dylan Mullins also returns for the Falcons on the defensive front. Yew said senior Neddy Portillo is still recovering from a torn knee ligament suffered late last season but is expected to be back by the start of the season. Yew said senior Zach Helmick and junior Billy Ball are battling for the other starting defensive end position.
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
Central
CENTRAL FALCONS
Manning Continued from 8
a season-ending leg injury late last season, and Yew said he hopes to have Abrams back early in the year. Before suffering the injury, Abrams had 68 tackles for Central last year. The other linebacker spots are up for grabs, and Yew said that the Falcons have a lot of players that will be vying for valuable playing time. Yew said that Noah Williams, Spitler, junior Gerson Sorto Lopez, Conner and freshman Isaiah Dyer are all in the running for playing time at linebacker. Clanton, Houghton and Shockey are the expected starters in the defensive backfield with T.J. Williams also seeing plenty of playing time. Yew said that he’d been impressed with Shockey in the preseason. “Landon did a good job last year,” Yew said. “And he’s one of those kids that we’ve seen him really transform. A lot of times kids make a big change from freshman to sophomore year or from sophomore to junior year, and for him, he changed from sophomore to junior year. His technique is good, and he does a good job out there, and it’s his job to lose.” Yew said that sophomore Erik Lopez would do the placekicking duties while the punter job was undecided. Clanton said expectations are high, but the key is to stay focused and take things one game at a time just like they did last year. “To go undefeated again would be a heck of a thing, and to go deep in the playoffs,” Clanton said of the team’s goals. “And what everybody wants is to win that state championship. So we just got to come out here and do our thing like we normally do.”
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Manning said the Falcons learned some valuable lessons in the loss to Robert E. Lee.
Continued from 7
“I think it sits in the back of our mind a this year, he’s always just been a year be- little bit, but I don’t think we’re worried hind us. But still, we’re a close-knit group. about it,” Manning said. “You just learn from your mistakes. Everyone, we gave All the lineman are real tight. We have our all, but there’s always things you can dinner together. We’re all friends.” learn from. There’s always something you Manning said the thing he loves most can take away. Win, loss, there’s always about football is seeing all the players doing their jobs and then coming together something you could have done better. I to be successful. That’s part of the reason think guys have watched a lot of film and he doesn’t mind if offensive lineman does- kind of talked to one another about what we could have done differently. And I n’t get as much attention as some of the think we’re mentally and physically betskill position players. Manning said he ter prepared after that loss.” knows that every player plays a part in the team’s success. Being a senior, Manning said this season would be even more special to him. He “We have this one memo that says ‘it’s all said the most important thing for the Falwork, no glory,’” Manning said with a smile. “So a lot of times the only ones that cons is to not take any game lightly. thank you are those players that ran right “Looking at last season the expectations behind you or scored the touchdown beare high, I think for the community and cause you were blocking for them. A lot of for the players,” Manning said. “The bar is times it is that quarterback or the wide re- set pretty high for us. Our standards are ceiver or the running back that gets that high for ourselves as well. But I think we glory. But as players, I think we all know just learned from the Robert E. Lee game that we all have our jobs and the glory is that every game counts once you get to shared between all of us. So the work we those playoffs. The 10-0 (last year) it all put in, it’s all the same in the end. So I means a lot in the regular season, but I think we all realize that it’s a team effort.” think this year our big expectation is to Manning said he hopes to play more on play every game like it’s our last, espedefense this season as well. He is a cially being seniors. It’s emotional for me backup defensive lineman for the Falcons. personally. It’s probably the last time you’re going to play football for a lot of Last year was a successful season for the these guys, and it’s all or nothing. It’s Falcons, who went 11-1. Central went unemotional. I know a lot of guys are psydefeated in the regular season but lost in the second round of the playoffs to eventual ched up already this year and I know we’re just excited.” Class 2 state runners-up Robert E. Lee.
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CLARKE COUNTY EAGLES
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
Clarke aims to stay on top despite loss of linemen By Robert Niedzwiecki rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com BERRYVILLE - Fourteen seniors who accounted for 15 starting positions and nine All-Bull Run District selections are no longer on the Clarke County football team.
2018 EaglES • Coach: Chris Parker (19th year, 130-72) • Offense/Defense: Single wing/3-5, multiple • Key returnees: RB/LB Peyton Rutherford, RB/DB Kyle Baylor, QB/DB Colby Childs; LB/TE Eamon Juday, K Nick Bahamonde
Things might be a little different this year, but junior quarterback Colby Childs and the rest of the • Key losses: OL/DL Bryan Wallace, Eagles are ready to take on the OL/DL Kyle Anderson, OL/DL Jacob challenge of extending a run of ex- Peace, LB Rico Nappi, LB/TE Ed Buzalsky, TE/DE Lucas Rogers, DB cellence that has resulted in 11 Cole Lawson consecutive playoff berths and eight Bull Run District titles since “People are expecting us to have a 2007. down year this year because we lost so many people,” Childs said. BY THE NUMBERS “But I’m almost positive that we Staff Photo/Star • 3 - Kickoff/punt return touchdowns will be successful like we were As a sophomore Clarke County’s Peyton Rutherford rushed for a for Kyle Baylor last year. last year, and we’ll go far in the whopping 2,141 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. Rutherford • 9 - Leading tacklers from 2017 who playoffs. also caught 20 passes for 254 yards and five more scores. are no longer on the team. Eamon Juday is the team’s returning leader in tackles after ranking 10th with 45 last year. • 11 - Consecutive years in which Clarke County has made the playoffs. • 294 - Rushing yards per game last year for Clarke County, the 10th straight year the Eagles have rushed for at least 200 yards per game. • 224 - Points scored by Peyton Rutherford last year.
“If we have people that aren’t with everyone else, we might struggle a little. But if we stick together, we’re going to be good. Clarke football means being a hard-nosed football team, and we’re going to work as hard as we possibly can.” Clarke County 19th-year head coach Chris Parker said on the first day of practice that preparing for this season has been a
unique experience following last year’s 10-2 campaign (3-1 Bull Run District), which ended with a 21-7 Region 2B semifinal loss to Luray.
open in a while. There’s always competition for spots, but it’s different. It’s our job as coaches to evaluate them and get them ready, and that’s what we’ll do.”
“Every year you know who’s coming back, but you always have an open mind, especially with some kids who are equal talent at the same positions,” Parker said. “But the competition at a vast majority of positions hasn’t been this wide-
Clarke County’s departures include Bryan Wallace, a three-time all-state offensive and defensive lineman who earned Region 2B, Bull Run District and Winchester CLARKE COUNTY, 13
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
CLARKE COUNTY EAGLES
2018 scheDule Aug. 24 vs. Dominion at Park View, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 Warren County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7
Oct. 5
at Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Waynesboro, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12
Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19
Madison Co., 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 Washington (W.Va.), 7 p.m.
Oct. 26
at George Mason, 7:30 p.m.
Handley, 7:30 p.m.
11
2017 Results (10-2, 5-1 Bull Run DistRict) Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 9 Sept. 15 Sept. 22
beat Dominion, 39-24 beat Manassas Park, 49-0 beat Handley, 31-10 beat Waynesboro, 42-21 beat Washington (W.Va.), 42-21 Sept. 29 beat Warren County, 29-21
Oct. 6 lost to Central, 40-0 Oct. 13 beat Strasburg, 49-20 Oct. 20 beat Madison County, 61-10 Oct. 27 beat George Mason, 42-7 Nov. 10 beat Strasburg, 63-20 Nov. 17 lost to Luray, 21-7
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CLARKE COUNTY EAGLES
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Childs’ growth as a quarterback key for Clarke By Robert Niedzwiecki rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
they made the single wing their primary offense in 2008.
BERRYVILLE - Colby Childs’ right arm was a huge part of why the Clarke County baseball team won its first postseason tournament since 2003 in the spring, leading all area pitchers in wins (6-0 record), strikeouts (57) and innings (51.2) and he had a teambest 2.03 ERA.
But if it makes more sense to throw the ball more with its new starting lineup, Clarke County believes it can do out of the single wing or in spread formations because of the presence of the junior Childs and the people he can target.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Childs started at quarterback last year as a sophomore. In addition to rushing for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries, Childs completed 54 of 98 passes for 802 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions to earn second-team All-Region 2B honors as an allFile Photo/Star purpose selection. Junior Colby Childs will begin his second season at starting But perhaps this year, Childs and quarterback for Clarke County. Childs completed 58 of 94 passes his right arm will bring a little Childs improved as a passer as more aerial magic than Eagles the year went on, completing 27 of for 802 yards and nine touchdowns for the Eagles, who are expected to throw the ball more this season. are used to seeing at this time of 32 passes for 432 yards, seven year. touchdowns and one interception bigger, faster, stronger players on Casey Childs, Colby said he in the Eagles’ last two regularstarted playing football when he Clarke County heads into this the varsity. He adapted pretty was 6 years old and began playing season having to replace all five of season games and first-round quickly. quarterback when he was 10. its starting offensive linemen and playoff game. “He’s very coachable. He would its two starting tight ends. “He picked things up pretty make changes and tweak stuff or “I just like being able to help conquickly last year,” said Clarke trol the team and being able to It would surprise absolutely no correct stuff. I thought he did a County coach Chris Parker as run an offense,” said Colby when one if the Eagles simply lined up great job last year, and I expect raindrops danced around on the asked what he likes about playing and shoved the ball down their the same thing this year.” quarterback. “Throwing the ball is opponents’ throats on the ground. opening day of football practice. The son of Clarke County athletic “They ran the same stuff on the They’ve rushed for at least 200 CHILDS, 14 freshman level, but obviously it’s director and defensive coordinator yards per game every year since The emphasis for the Clarke County football team’s offense over the last decade has usually been to secure the ball with both arms because of the manner in which the Eagles have pounded opponents into submission with its single-wing rushing attack.
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CLARKE COUNTY EAGLES
2017 cLARKE cO. stAts • Record: 10-2 (3-1 Bull Run District) • Passing leader: Colby Childs (58 of 94, 802 yards, 9 touchdowns, 8 interceptions) • Rushing leader: Peyton Rutherford (269 carries for 2,141 yards, 31 touchdowns)
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2018 ROstER
• Receiving leader: Kyle Baylor (23 receptions for 310 yards, 4 touchdowns) • Total tackles: Bryan Wallace (132) • Sacks: Bryan Wallace (15.5) • Interceptions: Kyle Baylor (7)
Clarke County Continued from 10
Star Defensive Player of the Year honors last year. Wallace is now a freshman on the defensive line for NCAA Division I Charlotte. The other departures include linemen Kyle Anderson, an all-region selection on both offense and defense; and Jacob Peace, an all-region selection on defense and all-district selection on offense who is now playing on the offensive line at Division I Virginia Military Institute.
No. Name Pos. 1 Kyle Baylor RB/DB 2 Colby Childs QB/DB 3 Nicholas Bahamonde K 4 Peter Terzian RB/DB 5 Cody Sowers RB/LB 6 Eamon Juday TE/LB 7 Ryan Nesslerodt RB/DE 9 Daniel Lyman RB/DB 10 Jackson Taylor RB/DB 11 Randolph ‘“Trey”‘ Trenary TE/LB 20 W. Evan Nichols RB/DB 21 Peyton Rutherford RB/LB 22 Izaac Jackson TE/LB 24 Malachi Walker RB/LB 25 Luke Leso RB/DB 32 Kellan Dalton K/DB 35 Sam Sawyer RB/LB
Ht. 5-9 6-0 6-1 5-7 5-9 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-0 5-10
Wt. 160 175 170 150 180 195 190 170 170 190 150 200 170 185 160 175 160
Yr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr.
(5-8, 250), junior Rhett Lawson (5-10, 185) and sophomore twins Sam Brumback (6-0, 175) and Luke Brumback (5-11, 175) were some of the players who had stood out.
No. Name 50 Colin Sardelis 51 Jacob Goode 52 Luke Brumback 53 Joey Lamalfa 54 Samuel Brumback 56 Rhett Lawson 58 Adam Scroggins 64 Charly Camacho 66 Bryce Robertson 69 Wynn Morris 70 Wade Anderson 73 Grayson Aylestock 75 Christian Correa 80 Jack Dawson Parrott 86 Eric Evans 89 Jonathan Dulaney
Pos. OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL RB/DB TE/DB RB/LB
Ht. 5-6 6-3 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-8 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-2 5-9 5-8 6-0 6-1
Wt. 205 280 175 225 175 185 190 250 225 175 225 245 195 150 175 165
Yr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
While Clarke County’s offensive front might be lacking in experience, an offensive backfield that shined brightly last year returns intact.
The Eagles will be led by second-team All-Region 2B running back Peyton Rutherford, a junior who recorded 269 carries for 2,141 yards (8.0 average) and 31 touchdowns; senior Those three, the other two starting offensive wingback Kyle Baylor (87 carries, 877 yards, linemen and the two starting tight ends, are 10.1 average, 10 TDs) and Childs, an All-Reall gone from the single-wing offense that pro- “We’re not deep,” Parker said. “This way if gion 2B second-team all-purpose selection (58 people go down, they know what to do if they duced 360.7 yards per game (294.1 rushing) of 94 for 802 yards, nine touchdowns and and 38.3 points per game. have to step in for somebody else. We have a eight interceptions passing; 56 carries for 242 couple other guys we’re looking at, but they’ve yards and one TD rushing). Leading up to Clarke County’s first scrimbeen banged up and haven’t really gotten a lot mage on Aug. 11 at Jefferson, Parker said Senior blocking back Ryan Nesslerodt also rethere was still much to evaluate on the offen- of reps.” turns after starting the second half of the sive line. But at that point, Wade Anderson At tight end, Parker was looking at sophoyear. But because Nesslerodt was dealing with (center, 6-foot, 225 pounds), sophomore Bryce more Trey Trenary (6-1, 190) and senior CLARKE COUNTY, 14 Robertson (6-3, 225), senior Charly Camacho Eamon Juday (6-0, 195) as likely contributors. Clarke County only has 33 players on this year’s varsity roster after having 44 last year, so during the preseason Parker had all the offensive linemen practice at each of the positions on the offensive line.
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The Eagles will rotate several people up front, including Camacho, Brumback, Anderson, Grayson Aylestock, Lawson and Robertson.
Parker expects Juday to take a step forward on both defense and offense this year.
Clarke County does not return any starters on the defensive line.
touchdowns and 17 kickoffs for 476 yards (28.0 average) and one TD. Senior kicker Nick Baha“I think Eamon Juday is going to monde missed almost half of last season because of an injury, but as have a big season,” Parker said. “He probably won’t leave the field. a sophomore he was an All-ConThe linebacking corps loses two ference 35 selection who made 66 It’s his time in the sun.” players who had more than 100 of 69 extra points and 3 of 4 field tackles last year in Rico Nappi, a Juday and Trenary will start at goals, including a long of 37 yards. first-team all-region selection, and the outside linebacker positions. Ed Buzalsky. There’s a lot of unknowns on Sowers and junior Sam Sawyer Clarke County, and it remains to (20 tackles) will likely flank Rutherford will play Clarke be seen how the players handle Rutherford in the center of the County’s middle linebacker posilinebacking corps. The Brumback their increased responsibility. tion. The person who occupies twins could also be in the mix at that spot typically leads the Ea“I’m an upbeat person,” Parker gles in tackles. Throw that on top linebacker. said. “You have to coach them and of his rushing responsibilities, you have to do the best you can. In addition to Baylor, junior and the Eagles are asking a lot of Danny Lyman (20 tackles, one in- We’re very young. We have a the junior after he was mostly terception), junior Jackson Taylor sprinkling of seasoned guys, a few limited to offense last year. seniors who have played very (18 tackles), senior Jack Dawson well. We lost a lot. Everybody Parrott (13 tackles) and Childs “He’s going to be a workhorse,” are candidates to play in the sec- knows that. But over the years Parker said. “We’re going to try we’ve had guys who have stepped ondary. and rotate people, try to keep them fresh. Our philosophy is Baylor headlines Clarke County’s in and did the job.” that you’ve got to play your best Clarke County opens its season at special teams. He was a second11, and then be smart about it 7 p.m. Aug. 24 against Dominion team all-district selection last and give them a chance to get in a game that will be played at year with eight punt returns for their wind back.” 191 yards (23.9 average) and two Park View High School.
Childs
ment was his increasing ability to connect on a personal level with the Eagles’ senior-laden roster.
Peyton Rutherford (269 carries for 2,141 yards and 31 touchdowns) and to a lesser extent, senior Kyle Baylor (87 carries for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns).
pounds to his frame. In 2007, the last time Clarke County was primarily a spread offense, quarterback Chandler Rhoads ran the ball 188 times.
Clarke County started three different people at quarterback from 2014-16, and they averaged 139 carries a season.
“I’m probably going to get the ball more this year than I did last year, and I’m excited for it,” Childs said. “I just need to follow the blockers and trust my line, which I will. Ground and pound.”
Continued from 13
an injury in the preseason, junior Cody Sowers will also be a key figure this year. Parker said Clarke County will continue to run the single-wing offense, but the Eagles might open things up more with some spread formations because of the skills of the players in their backfield. On defense, Clarke County lost its top nine tacklers and returns only two starters in Baylor (first-team all-region safety who had 42 tackles and seven interceptions) and senior linebacker Eamon Juday (all-district second-team all-purpose selection who had 45 tackles). The Eagles are a multiple defense but will typically feature a 3-5 look.
Continued from 12
“I built more friendships with the players,” Colby said. “The older one of my favorite things to do.” guys, I looked up to them. They’re Colby said he got some valuable my best friends on the team, and experience as a freshman by serv- we’d always go out and hang out ing as a scout team quarterback and stuff like that, and that and taking a few snaps in one brought me closer to them. I’m game. pretty close with all the players And with a father as a coach on now, especially since I’ve played the team, Colby had a better idea baseball with some of them.” of what to expect on the varsity Parker said Colby is the type of level than most of his peers and person people gravitate to. had someone who could get the “He’s great young man, he’s a most out of him in his first year hard worker, and he has a great as a starter. family,” Parker said. “He’s defi“He pushes me,” said Colby of Casey Childs. “He’s yelling at me, nitely a coach’s son. He has a making me better as a player. And great sense for the game and he’s since he’s a defensive coordinator, a leader by example.” he also helps out by telling me As a sophomore, Colby did not what to read on a defense.” carry the typical rushing workOver the course of his sophomore load that Parker usually asks of his quarterbacks. The Eagles inseason, Colby felt the biggest thing that helped in his developstead leaned heavily on junior
It makes sense to get the ball in the hands of Rutherford and Baylor as much as possible through handoffs or passes (the duo also combined for 43 catches, 564 yards and nine TDs receiving in 2017), but Colby noted that Rutherford will likely have to take on a bigger role on defense as a linebacker. So if Childs is an effective runner also, Clarke County could be even more dangerous to defend. Whether Clarke County is in the single wing or the spread, Colby said he’s prepared himself to make things happen more with his feet if need be, adding 15
But as Colby said, he loves to throw the ball, and he’s ready to challenge defenses through the air more. “I know last year, I hard a time reading the defense, and if it was a Cover 3 or Cover 2, and where the safety was going to be, and where the corners were going to be, and where the linebackers were going to be,” Colby said. “But Coach Parker has helped me improve and read the defense better. I just find the opening bubble, throw in the area, and we get yards from that.”
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CLARKE COUNTY EAGLES
CLARKE CO. HIGH SCHOOL
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HANDLEY JUDGES
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Judges look to continue improvement under Jones By Walt Moody wmoody@winchesterstar.com WINCHESTER - Dan Jones says nothing feels that much different from his previous 23 seasons with the Handley football program. He’s doing the same things he did last fall along with some of the same assistant coaches, including veteran assistant Jim Gaynor.
BY THE NUMBERS • 5 - number of years since Handley’s last winning season • 10 - sacks allowed by a veteran offensive line last season • 25 - sacks recorded by the Judges • 29 - turnovers committed by Handley last season • 118 - total point differential as the Judges were outscored 294-176
This time Jones is leading the Judges as head coach. He takes over a program that went 6-14 under John Davis, who is now the head coach at the Newport News Apprentice School.
County in the regular-season opener on Aug. 25. “Having Coach Gaynor there is like having a second head coach. The young coaches have stepped up big. Right now, it doesn’t feel any dif“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Jones, ferent. two weeks into practice as his “At practice, it’s the same. I’m Judges prepare to host Warren coaching the quarterbacks and still calling the offense. Coach 2018 JUDGES Gaynor is taking care of the de• Coach: Dan Jones (first year) fense. I guess until the first game • Offense/Defense: Multiple offenses, on Saturday, I really won’t know including I formation; 50 defense the feeling.” • Key returnees: LB/FB Quinton Newman, WR/DB Kevin Curry; RB/P Malachi Imoh; LB/TE D’Andre James; QB Jacob Parker
• Key losses: OT/DT Bobby Teahan; WR/FS Ra’Shaad Morris; RB Christian Moten; TE/DE Tyrese Dudley; OL/DL Joseph Mammano; WR/DB Brent Gaynor
Scott Mason/Star
Malachi Imoh is Handley’s leading returning rusher with 577 yards on 100 carries and six touchdowns. Imoh, who also played at the wildcat position on offense, completed 18 of 31 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown.
helps,” Jones said. “The biggest thing is the kids are helping to coach. The older kids have stepped Jones said the transition has gone up and are helping the more inexsmoothly thus far and a big help perienced kids. It’s kind of like is that Handley’s players know having 40 coaches out there.” much of his staff. It also helps to “Everything has been very smooth have some talented players back since the coaching change,” wide in the fold. receiver/defensive back Kevin “When you have a familiar face and a familiar way of coaching, it
Curry said. “Coach Jones has been here, so everybody is really used
to him.” The Judges are hoping to keep a little bit of momentum following an 0-10 season in 2015. Davis went 2-8 and 4-6 the past two seasons. Jones hopes the Judges can continue that upward trend, but it won’t be easy in the tough Northwestern District, especially since HANDLEY, 19
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HANDLEY JUDGES
2018 sCheDule
17
2017 Results (4-6, 2-4 Class 4 N.west. DistRiCt)
Aug. 25 Warren County, 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at Fauquier, 7 p.m. Millbrook, 1 p.m.
Aug. 25 beat Warren County, 14-13 Sept. 29 beat Fauquier, 48-27 Sept. 1 lost to Harrisonburg, 41-20 Oct. 6
lost to Millbrook, 44-0
Aug. 31 Harrisonburg, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6
Sept. 7 at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 Liberty (Bealeton), 1 p.m.
Sept. 9 lost to Clarke County,
Sept. 14 at Skyline, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Sherando, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 beat Skyline, 40-0
Oct. 21 lost to Sherando, 59-14
Sept. 22 Kettle Run, 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 at James Wood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 lost to Kettle Run, 37-6
Oct. 28 beat James Wood, 24-8
31-10
Oct. 13 lost to Liberty (Bealeton), 35-0
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Newman provides ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ By Walt Moody wmoody@winchesterstar.com WINCHESTER - Handley’s Quinton Newman has only one speed - full. Watch the middle linebacker/fullback at practice or on game film and you’ll see his accelerator mashed to the floorboard. But the 6-0, 220-pounder doesn’t just play fast. He’s a leader of the pack and he doesn’t mind blowing the horn if one of his teammates needs to move over.
body is supposed to be,” Jones said. “He’s vocal. Some kids know what they’re doing and play great, but they’re afraid to speak out. He’s not afraid. He’ll step up and move a kid into the right spot. He knows his assignment and he doesn’t have to worry about that. He’s able to think about and make sure everybody is doing their assignment as well.” “I’m on their case 24-7,” Newman said. “I’m trying to toughen them up. When they mess up, yeah I yell at them, but I’m trying to push them in a positive way because nobody likes to be put down.”
That combination of effort, athleticism and leadership has first-year head coach Dan Jones excited about the next two seasons Newman, also an all-state performer in with the junior in his lineup on offense and track & field (seventh in the Class 4 meet in the discus), says being a leader is impordefense and also on the practice field. tant to him. Newman says his goal is “ to give the team everything I’ve got - blood, sweat and tears.” “I’m trying my hardest to get to that spot,” he said. “I’ll do anything and everything it Jones, a longtime assistant with the protakes to be in that spot.” gram before replacing John Davis at the Newman is coming off an excellent season helm, says Newman is hitting that goal as a sophomore for the Judges, who finand more. He’s also helping fill a leaderished 4-6. He was second on the squad with ship vacuum. When the Judges filled out 82 tackles. He also had three sacks, six forms which will be used to help select captackles for losses, an interception and a tains for this season’s squad, Newman was fumble recovery. the first player to return his. His excitement carried into the offseason That didn’t surprise Jones, who says that program where he began to push his teameven with his physical prowess that Newmates. man’s biggest asset as a player is his lead“The offseason was amazing,” he said. “I ership. think we had more guys than we did last Scott Mason/Star “Leadership is big for him because he leads year. I like to see that and everybody is all Junior Quinton Newman will start this season at by example, but also he’s vocal,” Jones said. linebacker and fullback for Handley. NEWMAN, 67 “... He can control and know where every-
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HANDLEY JUDGES
2017 handley stats • Record: 4-6 (2-4 North- • Receiving leader: Kevin Curry (36 recepwestern District) • Passing leader: Jacob tions, 643 yards, 6 touchdowns) Parker (52 for 188, 889 yards, 7 touchdowns, 13 interceptions)
• Total tackles: D’Andre James (86)
• Rushing leader: Christian Moten (172 for 863 yards, 10 touchdowns)
• Sacks: Brent Gaynor (5) • Interceptions: Kevin Curry (3)
Handley Continued from 16
Handley has to replace its offensive and defensive lines. “Every year is different kids,” Jones said. “You hope to build off the previous year, but losing some of the kids we lost and not having experience where we need it in the trenches, you kind of start fresh. “But, you hope the kids are seeing hard work pay off. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you double your wins two years in a row to four wins ... if we can just increase every year, it definitely builds the program. Sometimes you are going to weather a storm in a program, but as long as you continue to build the next year is going to be better hopefully.” Curry said the team feels some momentum. “Everything is going up,” the senior said. “Nothing stays the same. We’re improving. Everything is getting better in practices. We have better intensity from last year. I think everything is going up.”
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2018 RosteR No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 31 32 33
Name Tyson Long Kevin Curry Jr. Jayden Vardaro Jacob Parker D’Andre James Malachi Imoh Caleb Metzger Josiah Duffy Mason Smith Josh Ashby Isiah Lowry RJ Britton Zkyah Johnson Dayvon Newman Austin Freimuth BJ Canada Beau Thwing Leland Walkling Noah Hendrickson Miles Ashe John Skiles Chaz Lattimore
Pos. 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-2 5-6 5-10 5-9 5-7 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-7 5-9 6-2 5-7 5-5 5-10 5-7 5-7 5-11 6-1
Ht. 160 185 180 170 215 165 170 155 155 160 155 155 155 180 180 140 135 180 170 175 165 145
Wt. WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB QB TE/LB RB/DB QB/LB RB/DB WR/DB WR/LB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB RB/DB WR/DB RB/DB K/P RB/LB RB/DB RB/DB TE/LB WR/DB
Yr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So.
Curry, who is drawing college interest including an offer from Hampton University, is one of several key playmakers returning for the Judges on offense. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound wideout is a nightmare for defensive backs with his speed coupled with his leaping ability. A standout on the Judges’ Class 4 runner-up basketball team, Curry is able to leap over defensive backs to pull down catches. He caught 36 passes for 643 yards and six scores last season. “His big advantage for us is that if they only
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No. 35 43 44 45 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 61 62 64 65 67 68 74 75 80 81 84
Name Uzziel Jose-Lopez Adam Pollak Quinton Newman Grayson Haines Joey Ashby Justin Menjivar Billy Delacruz Kevin Cruz ReaQuan Wilson Tommy Ashby Nasir Nix Jordan Davenport Tommy Downey Kobe Wolfinbarger Luke Foltz Kevin Gomez Jonathan Ramey Brian Cajero Noah Johnson Ben Yerkie Jacob Ramey Stephen Daley Journey Cannon
Pos. 5-3 6-1 6-0 5-8 5-7 5-9 6-0 5-7 6-1 5-7 6-0 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-0 5-8 5-11 5-6 5-9 6-3 5-11 6-2 5-7
Ht. 160 175 220 150 195 190 185 225 230 220 234 310 205 240 230 210 155 225 235 250 155 220 135
Wt. RB/LB K/P RB/LB TE/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL 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/DB TE/LB WR/DB
Yr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr.
put one person on him I’ll take that,” Jones said. “If they put two on him, that opens up other things for us. He’s a huge factor for us. If he’s having a great game, they are going to have to put two on him.” The Judges also return the versatile Malachi Imoh. The 5-6, 165-pound junior played both running back and quarterback when the Judges went to the wildcat formation last season. He rushed for 577 yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries and even completed 18 HANDLEY, 20
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Handley
HANDLEY JUDGES
Doing the blocking will be center Ben Yerkie (6-3, 250, Sr.), right guard Tommy Downey (5-10, 205, Continued from 19 Sr.), left guard Kobe Wolfinbarger (6-0, 240-So.), left tackle Luke of 31 passes. Foltz (6-0, 230, Jr.) and right “He’s such a competitor,” Jones tackle Joey Ashby (5-7, 195, Jr.). said of Imoh. “… He’s such a quick Jordan Davenport (5-9, 310, Sr.) learner. Playing multiple posiand Kevin Cruz (5-7, 225, Sr.) are tions helps him because he sees also in the mix. different things and knows what is happening. When he goes to the D’Andre James (Sr., 6-2, 215) and Stephen Daley (6-2, 220, Fr.) will outside run, he knows what the hold down the tight end spot. receivers are doing because he’s played out there. Being a quarter- Jones said it’s no secret what the back, he knows what we’re trying Judges hope to accomplish on ofto do and about holding onto the fense. They will use multiple forball. I don’t want to jinx myself, mations that have the same goal. but he’s held onto the ball well so “We are hoping to get Malachi far this year.” and Kevin the ball as much as Jacob Parker (6-1, 170, Sr.) repossible,” he said. “If that’s putturns at starting quarterback. Parker completed 52 of 128 tosses ting them at quarterback or wildcat, we’ll do it. But, we’ve started for 889 yards and 7 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions. Caleb Met- out with our base four plays and until we master them we won’t zger (5-10, 170, So.) also is batadd all of this crazy stuff until we tling for the spot. are ready to.” Imoh will be joined in the backfield by fullback Quinton Newman Curry said he and Parker are clicking. (6-0, 220, Jr.), who is expected to both carry the ball and deliver “We have pretty good chemistry,” some crunching blocks. Noah Curry said. “We used to play basHendrickson (5-7, 170, Jr.) and ketball back in like eighth grade, Zkyah Johnson (5-9, 180, So.) also so we’ve known each other for a will see time in the backfield. long time.” Joining Curry at receiver are Jay- The Judges’ 50 defense is led by den Vardaro (6-2, 180, So.), Tyson linebackers James and Newman. Long (6-2, 160, Sr.) and Mason James (86) and Newman (82) Smith (5-7, 155, Jr.). paced the Judges in tackles last
season. To start the season, several other Judges also will play two ways. Joe Ashby, Wolfinbarger, Daley and Metzger will be joined by Tommy Ashby (5-7, 220, Jr.) along the line. Curry, who picked off three passes last season, Vardaro and Johnson will be joined by Miles Ashe (5-7, 175, Jr.) in the secondary.
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Tuesday.’ We preach to try to get three turnovers in a game and three turnovers at practice.” In a tough district that featured four playoff teams (Class 4 semifinalist Sherando, Millbrook, Liberty and Kettle Run) last fall, Jones knows his squad will face stiff competition.
“We want to start out quick,” he said. “We’ve got to start out and get some confidence. I know it’s Imoh, Adam Pollak (6-1, 175, So.) cliché, but we are looking at one and Beau Thwing (5-5, 135, Fr.) play at a time, then one game at a are in the mix at punter. Pollak time and so forth. We’ve got to and Thwing are battling for the start out with confidence and placekicking spot. Imoh and build from that because when we Curry likely will start the season get into our district and we get returning kickoffs. Sherando, Millbrook and Liberty Turnovers - stopping their own and all back-to-back. Hopefully we’ll creating more - will be a key for feel good and are running on all the Judges. Last season, they com- cylinders because we will need to.” mitted 29, while getting just 10. Curry says the team has high asJones says offensively he’s using a pirations. positive approach. “Every team we play is pretty “You don’t want to plant a seed in much a playoff team,” Curry said. anybody’s mind,” he said. “We talk “It’s going to be tough. If we just about trying to get three yards, keep on practicing and coming to three yards, three yards. If we can work every day, it shouldn’t be move the ball and be consistent, very hard.” then big things will follow after The senior knows the Handley that. We don’t want to talk about fans would love to make the postthem every day because then they season. Several have been out will start thinking about them.” watching practices. But on defense, it’s a different story. “Everybody wants to see what the “Coach Gaynor is huge on that,” new Handley looks like,” Curry Jones said. “We have ‘Takeaway said. “It will look good.”
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HANDLEY JUDGES
HANDLEY HIGH SCHOOL
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JAMES WOOD COLONELS
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Wood excited for Year 2 under Morgan By Walt Moody wmoody@winchesterstar.com WINCHESTER - James Wood coach Ryan Morgan has seen a ray of sunshine amidst the rainy days of preseason practice. Coming off a disappointing 2-8 campaign in his first season at the helm, Morgan is encouraged by what he sees on the practice field. “What I’m happy with so far is the offseason that we had,” Morgan said. “The kids were in here working hard, added weight and got
2018 COLONELS • Coach: Ryan Morgan (second year, 2-8) • Offense/Defense: Multiple/Multiple • Key returnees: RB/DB William Crowder, DE/OL Luke Roy, RB/LB Sam Adkins, RB/LB Jackson Turner, OL/DL Chance Grove, RB/DB Luke Esparza, QB Carson Hoberg, OL/DL Zach Herbert • Key losses: Dominic Revetta OL/DL, Mark Cisler RB/LB, Josh Kesner DB, TE/LB Jordan Loy, TE/DE Elijah Filbert, LB Mason Feathers, PK/P Jacob Sortino, RB/LB Tyler Arnold, QB Mike Zebarth
BY THE NUMBERS • 3 - the number of kickoffs returned for touchdowns by William Crowder last season • 5 - two-point conversion passes by quarterback Carson Hoberg last season • 8 - number of years since the Colonels last winning season • 26 - Combined tackles for losses by Luke Roy (15) and Jackson Turner (11) last season. • 169 - number of points James Wood was outscored by last season (352-183)
stronger. I think that’s showing on the field from where we were last year.” The players feel it, too. “I think this year we’re a much more bonded team,” offensive/defensive lineman Luke Roy said. “We’re hanging out. We’re having fun. We’re getting done the things that we need to get done. We’re not slacking off. Everybody is putting in work and pushing each other to get better to make it past 2-8 and maybe to the postseason. Our goal is to get better every day.” The Colonels are looking to end a playoff drought that has lasted
Scott Mason/Star
Luke Esparza rushed for 74 yards on 15 carries for James Wood last season. On defense, Esparza recorded 57 tackles, including three for losses, from his spot at linebacker. since 2014. Their last season with a winning record came in 2010. But Morgan remains optimistic, thanks to an experienced offensive line and backfield full of talented running backs. Four of those ball carriers are juniors William Crowder (5-11, 181), Jackson Turner (5-9, 198), Sam Adkins (5-11, 166) and Luke Esparza (5-10, 154). Sophomore newcomer Joey Vitola (5-8, 162) is
also in the mix. They all bring a variety of skills to the table. Crowder (346 yards, 46 carries) is the leading returning rusher and possesses blazing speed, having finished eighth in the 100 meters at the Class 4 state meet. Turner (71 carries, 271 yards) brings strength from the fullback JAMES WOOD, 25
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JAMES WOOD COLONELS
2018 sChedule Aug. 24 Sherando, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5
at Liberty, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 at Justice, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12
at Millbrook, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19
Fauquier, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26
Handley, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2
at Kettle Run, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7
Skyline, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 Warren County, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Hedgesville (W.Va.), 7 p.m.
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2017 Results (2-8, 0-6 Class 4 NoRthwesteRN) Aug. 25 lost to Sherando, 58-8 Sept. 1 beat Park View (Sterling), 66-28 Sept. 8 beat Skyline, 28-22, OT Sept. 15 lost to Warren County, 35-8
Sept. 22 lost to Hedgesville (W.Va.), 28-23 Oct. 6 lost to Liberty, 48-0 Oct. 13 lost to Millbrook, 24-8 Oct. 20 lost to Fauquier, 38-8 Oct. 28 lost to Handley, 24-8 Nov. 3 lost to Kettle Run, 47-26
JAMES WOOD COLONELS
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Crowder’s speed puts pressure on foes By Walt Moody wmoody@winchesterstar.com
Crowder to separate himself after starting to play in eighth grade.
WINCHESTER - James Wood coach Ryan Morgan says flatly that “speed kills” in football.
The next season, then James Wood coach Mark McHale sought to bring Crowder up to the varsity. In one half of the JV opener that season, Crowder had a kickoff return, a run and a pass reception that went for touchdowns.
That said, the Colonels possess one of the most dangerous weapons in the Northwestern District. Running back William Crowder just may be the fastest player in the area and maybe the state. As a sophomore this past spring, Crowder ran a blazing 11.02 seconds in the 100 meters and went on to an all-state performance by placing eighth in the event at the Class 4 state meet.
While Crowder’s mother Nita Breighner had some reservations about her son playing on the varsity and getting hurt, Crowder did not.
“I had talked to my mom and she was concerned for me playing varsity football as a freshman,” Crowder recalled. “Coach McHale called Morgan, in his second-season at the her that night and they talked. She File Photo/Star was like ‘OK.’ I was like no matter helm of the Colonels after serving James Wood’s William Crowder is one of the fastest football players what, if I had the opportunity to as an assistant coach, has been on play varsity I was going to take that in the Northwestern District, having run an 11.02 in the 100 meters. both sides of facing the kind of Crowder rushed for 346 yards and five touchdowns on 46 carries opportunity.” speed that Crowder possesses. last season. He also took back three kickoffs for touchdowns. Morgan who was coaching that JV “It’s just something you can [try] to fidence going into last year where with 346 yards rushing on 48 carries squad believes that was a good prepare for it, but he’s a difference (a 7.2 average) and five touchdowns. as he had been just trying out for choice that Crowder has benefited maker,” Morgan said. the first time as a sophomore, he from for multiple seasons. He was also very dangerous on Crowder says he figured out early probably would have been wonder- kickoff returns. With the Colonels “I don’t think [JV] would have been on that he was pretty fast. ing, ‘How fast are these guys? How employing a reverse to still get him a great place for him to mature,” hard are they going to hit?’ I think “I started running in the fifth grade Morgan said. “When he got to varthe ball when teams kicked away it helped the game slow down for and after that I’ve always had from him, Crowder took three back sity, they put together a certain him last year.” speed,” said the soft-spoken junior. for touchdowns. package of plays for him as a fresh“That’s why I run track.” And while he was nicked up some man. He returned a kickoff in the “It’s just trusting all my other guys It’s also what attracted him to foot- opening game against Heritage for last season, Crowder’s impact was CROWDER, 70 ball and it did not take long for a touchdown. It gave him some con- felt on the field. He led the Colonels
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JAMES WOOD COLONELS
2017 james wood stats • Record: 2-8 (0-6 North- • Receiving leader: Jorwestern District) dan Loy (16 catches for 148 yards, 1 touchdown) • Passing leader: Carson Hoberg (32 for 79, • Total tackles: Josh 370 yards, 2 touchdowns, Kestner (87) 4 interceptions) • Sacks: Jackson Turner • Rushing leader: (3) William Crowder (48 car• Interceptions: Luke ries for 346 yards, 5 touchdowns) Esparza (2).
James Wood Continued from 22
spot, while Adkins (40 carries, 211 yards) and Esparza (15 carries, 75 yards) have shown pop. “It’s a lot of fun to watch them run,” Morgan said. “They all have different things - some of them can run people over, some of them can outrun people, some of them can make people miss. It’s fun to be in practice and watch them play and run. I don’t think too many teams have that many guys who can run like we do. That’s a rare thing, truthfully, for us at James Wood. Hopefully we can find the right mix.”
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2018 RosteR No. 2 3 4 5 7 8 10 11 12 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 32 34 37
Name Jackson Turner Austin Schmitt Jaden Ashby Rodney Boward Chris Garcia Carson Hoberg Tylor McBride Drew Reese Treyven Mandel Jayson Herndon Brandon Dunn Joseph Vitola Luke Robinson Kevin Brown Reid O’Roke Joseph Herndon Jacob Owens Gabe O’Neill William Crowder Jamys Solosky Hunter Messick Luke Esparza
Pos. Ht. FB/LB 5-9 C/LB 6-0 RB/DB 5-9 WR/OLB 6-1 K/P 5-10 QB/DB 5-10 WR/DB 5-9 QB/LB 5-10 WR/DB 5-10 WR/DB 6-4 RB/OLB 6-0 RB/OLB 5-8 TE/OLB 6-0 FB/LB 5-10 RB/DB 5-10 RB/DB 5-8 WR/DB 5-10 WR/DB 5-10 RB/DB 5-11 FB/DE 5-9 WR/OLB 5-11 RB/DB 5-10
Wt. 198 198 152 171 145 156 145 198 162 184 175 162 179 195 165 140 154 163 181 183 153 154
Yr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. So. So. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.
have, should be a strength,” Morgan said. “That’s going to be important for them and just the mentality going out there every single play and being dominant, being nasty and playing through the whistle. They do have a Much of that mix will rely on the horses up front. Tackles Chance Grove (6-6, 245, Sr.) and year under their belts and we tried not to put too much on them and simplified some things Zach Herbert (6-5, 316, Sr.) return from last for them so that they can play fast and idenseason. Walker See (6-2, 236, Sr.) started at guard and Luke Roy (6-1, 211, Sr.) moved into tify who they are supposed to block. They’re a starting role at that spot. Hayden Cunning- looking crisper this year, so hopefully it carries over to the season.” ham (6-0, 283, Jr.) is the new member of the unit at center. Seth DeHaven (6-1, 256, So.) Carson Hoberg, who split time at quarterback also could see action. last season, will call the signals, with Drew “Offensive line, based on the guys that we
Reese (5-10, 198, Jr.) serving as the backup.
No. 40 41 44 47 50 54 58 59 66 70 71 72 73 74 75 77 79 81 84 87 89
Name Sam Adkins Josiah Geaslen Dylan Lineburg Mike McGeachy Jonathan Addison Walker See Hayden Cunningham Chance Grove Garret Strong Brandon Tipton Trevor Feathers Zach Herbert Seth DeHaven Jack Owens Brayden Patterson-Campbell Luke Roy Joe Popish Bradley Bucher Clayton Jones Steadman Green Bradley Sions
Pos. RB/OLB WR/DB RB/OLB RB/LB OL/NG OL/DT C/DT OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT C/NG OL/NG OL/DE C/NG TE/DE TE/DE TE/DE TE/DE
Ht. 5-11 5-7 5-8 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-6 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-5 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-3 5-11 6-3
Wt. 166 124 134 173 226 236 283 245 230 238 240 316 256 278 282 211 357 175 212 160 184
Yr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr.
Hoberg (5-10, 156, Jr.), a transfer from Oregon, got extended action last fall, completing 32 of 79 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions. Coming from a spread offense in Oregon, Hoberg had to adjust to the Colonels’ sets. “He’s had an offseason to look at the film and a spring practice under his belt,” Morgan said. “I think the game has kind of slowed down for him a little bit.” When Hoberg throws, he’ll be looking to find receivers Treyven Mandel (5-10, 162, Sr.), JAMES WOOD, 26
JAMES WOOD COLONELS
26
James Wood
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Morgan said. “We have some good players in the secondary and up front. We’ve got some people who Continued from 25 Turner, Austin Schmitt (6-0, 198, can make it happen and some kids who are going to hustle and make Jr.), Adkins, Vitola, Kevin Brown Tylor McBride (5-9, 145, Sr.), (5-10, 195, Jr.) and Brandon Dunn plays from behind. Luke Roy does transfer Jacob Owens (5-10, 154, (6-0, 175, So.) are battling at line- a really good job of hustling and Jr.) and Jayson Herndon (6-4, 184, just making plays you wouldn’t exbacker. So.), along with tight ends Claypect a defensive lineman to be able Esparza, Owens, Crowder and ton Jones (6-3, 212, So.), Steadto make. Hopefully if we can stay McBride are in the secondary. man Green (5-11, 160, Jr.) and fundamentally sound we can lure Bradley Sions (6-3, 184, Jr.). Turner (80), Roy (72), Esparza some teams into giving us the ball While there’s plenty of targets to (50) and Brown (41) are the for a change.” throw to, the Colonels aren’t look- team’s returning leaders in tackMorgan himself takes the blame ing to throw the ball all around les. Turner led the squad with for some of the Colonels’ problems Kelican Stadium. three sacks. giving the ball away, especially in “Running has always been kind of The Colonels are looking to be the passing game. James Wood our mainstay here at James Wood,” more aggressive as they seek to threw 11 interceptions last fall. Morgan said. “We’ve had some good improve on a season in which “I have to get better at playcallquarterbacks over the years. Carthey gave up an average of 35.2 ing,” Morgan said. “That was one son throws a pretty good ball and points per game. of our issues with passing the ball he’s been improving in that area. “I think defense is a lot about fly- making sure that we’re getting But, we want to be a run-first the ball to the right place and to team. We want to be able to throw ing to the football, just getting 11 guys chasing the football and mak- the right people. I have to get betthe ball, but I think where our ing sure that we’re fresh, rotating ter at that. A lot of the turnovers skills fit best is hopefully playing in, that we’re lined up correctly smashmouth football and driving are on me.” the ball down the field.” and hustling to the football,” Mor- Morgan said his biggest concern Chris Garcia (5-10, 145 So.), a soc- gan said. “You are going to make this fall is injuries. Already, sevcer standout, Rodney Boward (6-1, mistakes on defense, but if you are eral players were nicked up in hustling to the football good things practice before scrimmages began. 171, Sr.) and Esparza are in the mix for punting and placekicking are going to happen.” “Injuries are always a concern,” spots. Crowder took three kickoffs He hopes some of those good Morgan said. “You always want to back for touchdowns last year. things are creating turnovers, get through August without getTo start the season, many players something that didn’t happen as ting hurt. We had some slippery are going to do double duty on de- often he would have liked. days out on the practice field and fense. “Defensively, we didn’t do a great some people kind of tweaked some Roy will be on the defensive line along with Jamyz Solosky (5-9, 193, Jr.) and Green.
Grove, Herbert, Cunningham and
try to get those guys healthy.” Morgan lauds assistant coach Jordan Hartman for the work he’s doing with the players on their health and nutrition. “We have to do our best to stay injury-free and healthy,” Morgan said. “We have to take care of our bodies.” Morgan knows it will take a supreme effort in the Northwestern District. The Colonels open the season at home on Aug. 24 against Class 4 semifinalist Sherando. Millbrook, Liberty and Kettle Run also made the playoffs. “This is the toughest the district has been since I’ve been here in the last 10 years or so, the number of teams who just have good athletes and are strong and powerful,” Morgan said. “It’s a tough schedule from beginning until the end. Those four teams that were good last year, I expect them to be good again. There were a couple of other [non-district] teams that were young last year who have returning talent, like Warren County and Hedgesville [W.Va.].” Roy, who is also a standout wrestler, knows the getting through league play has rewards.
“If you make it past this district here, you know you’re going to do job of creating turnovers last year,” things in their lower bodies. We’re something special,” Roy said.
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JAMES WOOD HIGH SCHOOL
MILLBROOK PIONEERS
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High-powered offense propels Pioneers By Robert Niedzwiecki rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com WINCHESTER - There’s nothing quite like coming together with family on Thanksgiving, eating turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, and gathering around the television to watch some football. For once, members of the Millbrook football team would like to spend some time on Thanksgiving with their second family by actually playing football. If a high school football team can advance to the third round of the playoffs, it gives itself a chance to practice on Thanksgiving. For each of the last three years, the Pioneers have come up one win short of mak-
2018 pioNEERS • Coach: Josh Haymore (sixth year, 32-23) • Offense/Defense: Shotgun wingT/multiple • Key returnees: WR/DB Savon Smith, WR/DB Gavin Evosirch, RB Noah Robinson, OL/DL Tyler Duckstein, OL/DL Zach Harrison, WR/DB Jordan Jackson, LB Tyrek Talley • Key losses: QB/DB Isaac Brown, LB Brandon Shingleton, DL Myles Bruce, C Nic Kline, LB Tramell Anthony, LB Jayden Johnson
BY THE NUMBERS • 3 - Consecutive years that Millbrook has advanced to the second round of the playoffs • 9 - Consecutive wins to start the 2017 season for Millbrook before losing its last two to Sherando • 105 - Tackles for Tyrek Talley last year • 288 - Points Millbrook outscored opponents by last year (471-213) • 1,516 - Combined receiving (823) and rushing (693) yards for Savon Smith last season
ing that a reality. In 2015, Millbrook lost to Jefferson Forest to finish 8-4. In 2016, the Pioneers lost to eventual state champion Salem to end the year 10-2. After getting a first-round bye, Millbrook’s season was brought to an end in the second round for the third straight year by Sherando with a last-minute 35-32 win to drop the Pioneers to a 9-2 record. “When we went away for camp [to Powhatan School in Boyce on July 26 before reporting to Millbrook on July 30], we did a lot of talking in group meetings instead of just letting them hang out with each other,” said Millbrook coach Josh Haymore, whose team went 5-1 in
File Photo/Star
Millbrook’s Savon Smith was dangerous both carrying and catching the football last season. Smith rushed for 693 yards an 14 touchdowns on just 70 carries. He also pulled in 52 catches for 823 yards and eight touchdowns. Class 4 Northwestern District play, losing to the Warriors in the regular-season finale to finish second. “[The second-round losses] is what everybody talked about, especially the older guys. ‘We’re tired of losing in the second round. We’re good enough to able to go.’ “Savon [Smith] hit it on the head. He said, ‘I want to go to the playoffs, and I want to play on Thanksgiving.
I want to practice on Thanksgiving and have Thanksgiving dinner with my brothers.’ When he said that, people were like, ‘That’s it. Let’s do it.’ I think the momentum would carry us further if we got the chance. They’ve got the hunger.” Smith - a wide receiver/running back/ cornerback - was a key contributor MILLBROOK, 31
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MILLBROOK PIONEERS
2018 sChedule Aug. 24 Jefferson (W.Va.), 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Fauquier, 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Loudoun County, 7 p.m. Sept. 7
at Washington (W.Va.), 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 Turner Ashby, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 Kettle Run, 7 p.m. Oct. 6
at Handley, 1 p.m.
Oct. 12
James Wood, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26
Liberty, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2
at Sherando, 7 p.m.
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2017 Results (9-2, 5-1 Class 4 NoRthwesteRN) Aug. 25 beat Jefferson (W.Va.), 52-13 Sept. 1 beat Loudoun County, 47-7 Sept. 8 beat Washington (W.Va.), 74-23 Sept. 15 beat Turner Ashby, 62-34
Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 17
beat Fauquier, 53-31 beat Kettle Run, 40-13 beat Handley, 44-0 beat James Wood, 24-8 beat Liberty, 22-14 lost to Sherando, 35-22 lost to Sherando, 35-32
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MILLBROOK PIONEERS
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Childhood ailments push Evosirch to success By Robert Niedzwiecki rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com WINCHESTER - When it comes to offseason training, Millbrook head coach Josh Haymore said there’s nothing that gets the juices flowing quite like the IronPioneer Challenge. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the summer, Millbrook’s players reported to the school for conditioning and lifting. For four weeks spanning June and July, the final hour of these gatherings featured one-hour competitions, 12 in total. There’s medicine ball throws. Tire flips. Races while carrying 45-pound plates uphill. Races while carrying a 100-pound dummy. Truck pushes. Timed sessions to see how long players could hold their chins above a pull-up bar.
year saw that as he sped and swerved through defenses to the tune of 10.6 yards per carry (561 yards total) and 15.1 yards per reception (318 yards total). But a big part of why 6-foot, 185pound junior Gavin Evosirch makes such a difference with his athleticism in Millbrook games is because of the mental strength and determination that helped him win four competitions, take second in another four and score a total of 80 points in the IronPioneer Challenge, twice the amount of any other player. “He’s a tough dude,” said Haymore of the player who as a freshman linebacker, made 57 tackles to rank sixth on the Pioneers in 2016.
Evosirch - a standout running back (Class 4 Northwestern District second team) and safety last year and “It’s just things that basically you’ve a candidate to play quarterback this year - gives everything he has on got to be mentally tough to do,” the football field because he’s grateHaymore said. “It’s not all fast ful for every moment he spends on things, it’s not all you’ve got to be the best athlete to do it. Sometimes one. If two separate medical scares had you’ve just got to be mentally turned out differently when he was tough.” an infant, a simple 10-yard sprint Make no mistake, the person who won this year’s competition is an ex- might not even have been an option for him. ceptional athlete. Anyone who watched him on Friday nights last
“When I was born, doctors said I
File Photo
Gavin Evosirch made numerous big plays for the potent Millbrook offense last season. Evosirch rushed for 561 yards on just 53 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. could be diagnosed with cerebral palsy,” said Evosirch during a practice that had been forced inside Millbrook’s gymnasium because of lightning and thunder on Aug. 2. “They said I might not be able to walk or run, that I might be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.
For Susan and Tom Evosirch, Sept. 17, 2001, started out as a day that they hoped would end with smiles and laughter as they celebrated the birth of their first child. Gavin’s original due date was two weeks earlier, so the anticipation to welcome their child into the world was particularly strong.
“I just always think about how that could be me.”
EVOSIRCH, 32
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MILLBROOK PIONEERS
2017 millbrook stats • Record: 9-2 (5-1 North- Savon Smith (52 catches western District) for 823 yards, 8 touch• Passing leader: Isaac downs) Brown (112 of 180, 1,728 • Total tackles: Brandon yards, 15 touchdowns, 5 Shingleton (131) interceptions) • Rushing leader: Savon • Sacks: Myles Bruce, Smith (70 carries for 693 Brandon Shingleton (5) yards, 14 touchdowns) • Receiving leader:
• Interceptions: Isaac Brown (4)
Millbrook Continued from 28
on each of those teams, so his stomach is growling particularly loud. “Getting past the second round is driving us as a team,” Smith said.
31
2018 roster No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Name Jordan Jackson Travis Spain Caleb Benner Daniel Torres Diante Ball Miykael Payne Tyrek Talley Jacob Young Jason Updegraff William Haines Noah Robinson Michael Buza Isaiah Robinson Diata Johnson Nickholson Opont Jose Cruz Teran Hemir Velasquez Gavin Evosirch Aidan Long Jayden Banks
Pos. WR/DB WR/DB QB/LB WR/DB WR/LB RB/LB RB/LB TE/LB WR/DB QB/DB RB/LB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB RB/DB
Ht. 5-10 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-7 5-8 6-2 5-8 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-7 6-0 5-9 6-0
Wt. 180 190 175 170 185 175 205 195 155 185 215 180 165 165 195 170 160 185 165 185
Yr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. So.
Millbrook’s explosive wing-T offense (eight returning starters) will go a long way toward mak- seven TDs) was an all-district honorable mention as a tailback. ing that a reality. Junior wide receiver Jordan Jackson (20 catches, Smith - who has scholarship offers from NCAA Division I Georgetown and Division II UVa-Wise 311 yards, 4 TDs) earned second-team all-dis- headlines the group. The Winchester Star’s trict honors. T.J. Spain, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound 2016 Offensive Player of the Year as a running transfer wide receiver from Tennessee, is also exback also became a receiving threat in 2017. The pected to play a big role, as well as senior Daniel first-team All-Region 4C selection caught 52 Torres. passes for 823 yards and eight TDs and rushed “The guy who’s really stepping up right now is 70 times for 693 yards (9.9 average) and 14 TDs. Jordan,” Haymore said. “The good thing right Like Smith, junior Gavin Evosirch (53 carries, now is he’s giving us some depth in the slot and 561 yards, 7 TDs; 21 catches, 318 yards, two TDs, receiver. He’s moving back and forth. He can go second team all-district) starred in the slot posi- in and play slot, and then that puts a different tion in 2017. guy at wideout. If you watch him on the basketSenior Noah Robinson (92 carries, 622 yards, ball court, he’s a smart athlete.”
No. 21 22 23 25 30 33 50 53 54 56 57 58 59 65 67 72 73 74 75 85
Name Dennis Bercian Logan Hartigan Savon Smith Jacob Ford Dario Costa-Thompson Tajay Goulbourne Noah Myers Michael Villa Jack Winans Brandon Ricketts Tyler Duckstein Zachary Clowser Kelvin Enriquez James Nelson Andrew Dennard Dalton Tusing Zachree Harrison De Jon Baylor Noah Dunemann Jalen Tyson
Pos. WR/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB OL/DL OL/DE OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/DE
Ht. 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-8 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-1 5-10 5-8 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-5
Wt. 175 185 195 175 160 175 225 210 195 230 220 240 220 220 225 245 275 300 255 240
Yr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr.
Millbrook also returns four starting offensive linemen - junior left guard Tyler Duckstein (6-1, 220, all-district second team), senior right guard Kelvin Enriquez (5-10, 220), junior left tackle Zach Harrison (6-3, 275, honorable mention alldistrict), and senior right tackle Zach Clowser (61, 240). Senior Noah Myers (5-11, 225) is the leading candidate to start at center. Millbrook loses quarterback Isaac Brown (now at Richmond as a wide receiver), a second-team all-state all-purpose selection last year, but Evosirch showed his potential when he stepped in for an injured Brown in the second half of the playoff game against Sherando and nearly led MILLBROOK, 32
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Millbrook
The Pioneers lost second-team allstate defensive lineman Myles Bruce to graduation, but the PioContinued from 31 neers return several experienced players in Clowser (36 tackles, four the Pioneers to victory. for loss), junior Michael Villa (32 Evosirch, junior Michael Buza, sen- tackles, three for loss) Harrison and ior Caleb Benner and sophomore Enriquez. Sophomore Dalton TusAidan Haines were all being consid- ing should also be key on the line. ered for the starting quarterback Senior Tyrek Talley (sixth in the job during the preseason. As of Aug. area with 105 tackles last year, 10 - one day after Millbrook’s first three sacks) returns as the team’s scrimmage with Heritage - Buza Mike linebacker. had not practiced in the preseason “I expect the same thing that we got because of an injury. from him last year,” Haymore said. On defense, Millbrook will likely “We just want him to be a leader will need strong production from its out there.” line because of the loss of four graduating starting linebackers, includ- Players who will likely flank Talley this year are senior Jacob Young, ing second-team Class 4 all-state Robinson and sophomore Diante selection Brandon Shingleton Ball. (team-high 131 tackles).
Returning starters in the secondary for Millbrook are Smith at cornerback (27 tackles, one interception) and Evosirch (42 tackles) at free safety. Millbrook also will look to Jackson and Torres at corner. Haymore said Spain and Haines should also play at safety.
finishing plays sometimes. Heritage went on a couple drives, but if we tighten up on our fundamentals those drives will come up short pretty quick.”
said Haymore on Aug. 10. “We’ve got to get a couple of the guys playing faster and the group as a whole
Millbrook opens the season at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at home against Jefferson (W.Va.)
Evosirch
seizures the rest of his life because of the blood clot.
had no disabilities.
and they used a medical vacuum to extract him.
When he was delivered, Gavin didn’t Continued from 30 move or cry, and he was taken into the neonatal intensive care unit. He But towards the end of Susan’s long started having seizures and Gavin day spent in labor in Loudoun was given a CAT scan. It revealed County, complications arose. Gavin that Gavin had suffered a hemorwhose head was large as a baby rhage and that he had a blood clot was in distress because the umbilithe entire size of his head. cal cord was wrapped around his neck, depriving him of oxygen. Doc- On Sept. 18, the Evosirches were told that in the future that Gavin tors needed to get him out as quickly as they could - it was too might be diagnosed with cerebral late to have a Caesarean section palsy, and that he might have
Millbrook will be breaking in a new kicker and punter this year after the graduation of Sam Nicol and Brown, a first team all-district seHaymore said he never wants his team to peak too early, so he doesn’t lection who led the area in punting average (37.0). Haymore had yet to expect exceptional play in his decide on who will take those reteam’s first scrimmage of the year. But he was pleased with how a de- sponsibilities as of Aug. 10. fense that lost more than half its Smith has been one of the area’s starters from last year started most dangerous returners since he things off in its scrimmage against was a freshman, and he earned secHeritage (Leesburg) on Aug. 9. ond-team all-district honors as a “I thought they played pretty well,” punt returner last season.
For several months, Gavin continued to have seizures, which were a major concern because those seizures could have caused severe medical problems. During that time Gavin was prescribed phenobarbital to control them. By the time Gavin had a checkup at nine months old, he had been seizurefree for a few months. The Evosirches were given reason to rejoice at that doctor’s appointment - the blood clot had completely dissolved, and he
‘The doctors were astounded,” Susan said. “There was no explanation for how the clot dissolved so quickly. They said it would dissolve, but they thought for sure he would have permanent disabilities. That’s what amazed them. “We have a strong faith. We had pastors coming to the hospital who prayed for Gavin after he was born, and we really believe that God answered our prayers. And I know a EVOSIRCH, 68
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Sherando driven by 2017 state semifinal season By Robert Niedzwiecki rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com STEPHENS CITY - After missing the playoffs in 2016, district and region titles made 2017 a storybook year for the Sherando football team. The ending could have used a little work though, and the Warriors hope that everything they’ve gone through in the past year leads to the ultimate goal. “We lost by 35 points [in our last game],” said Sherando senior quarterback Hunter Entsminger, referencing the Warriors’ 49-14 Class 4 state semifinal loss to
2018 waRRioRS • Coach: Bill Hall (16th year, 130-45) • Offense/Defense: Pro, multiple/multiple • Key returnees: QB Hunter Entsminger, RB/LB JoJo Doleman, RB/CB T.J. Washington, OL/DL Nick Corbit, TE/DL Will Hall, LB Payne Bauer, DB Malachi Doleman, OL/DL Joel Santmier • Key losses: WR/DB Aaron Banks, LB/HB Michael Perry, LB Joe Kelliher, K Stone Garver, WR Melvin Irby, WR/DB Frank Ritter, OL Zach McCarty, DT Ke’von Doleman, OL/DL Isaiah Allen
BY THE NUMBERS • 4 - Kickoff/punt return touchdowns for T.J. Washington last year • 11 - Victories for Sherando last year, its most since winning 13 in 2013 • 16 - Years since Sherando last had a losing season • 298 - Points that Sherando outscored its opponents by last year (576-278) • 391 - Yards per game for Sherando last year (203 passing, 188 rushing)
Salem, which went on to win its second consecutive state championship. “I think everybody after that game, all the people that File Photo/Star were coming back were like, ‘We Running back T.J. Washington led Sherando last season with 1,545 can’t do that again.’ Nobody wants yards and 18 touchdowns on 229 carries. Washington also was to have that feeling. dangerous as a receiver (43 catches, 611 yards, 11 TDs) and a “I wasn’t there much in the kick returner. weight room [in the offseason] besaid. “This team checks the boxes cause I had a lot of baseball stuff I sesses, the Warriors just might of, ‘Do they have enough athletihave what it takes to reach their had to do. But I know we had the cism, do they have enough speed, fifth state championship game in same people in and out every day, do they have enough size?’ their 26-year history. Sherando is doing what they need to do in the 0-4 in title games, with its last apweight room, getting better, get“Those things really mean nothting stronger, getting faster, work- pearance coming in 2013 in a loss ing if you don’t bring the right atto Dinwiddie. ing on all the little things they titude, the right desire to the needed to do.” “I just think the mental focus and table. Those are the things I’m trying to keep my finger on for a commitment level of our team is With the drive and talent (seven returning starters on both offense one of the things I’m always gaugSHERANDO, 37 and defense) that Sherando posing,” Sherando coach Bill Hall
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SHERANDO WARRIORS
2018 sChedule Aug. 24 at James Wood, 7 p.m. Oct. 5 Aug. 31 Jefferson (W.Va.), 7 p.m. Sept. 7
at Broadway, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Loudoun Valley, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 Liberty, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2
35
2017 Results (12-3, 5-1 Class 4 NoRthwesteRN)
at Martinsburg (W.Va.), Aug. 25 beat James Wood, 58-8 Sept. 1 beat Jefferson (W.Va.), 7 p.m. 48-12 at Kettle Run, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 beat Broadway, 77-7 Sept. 15 beat Loudoun Valley, 50-20 Handley, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 lost to Liberty, 31-28 Fauquier, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 lost to Martinsburg Millbrook, 7 p.m. (W.Va.), 31-28
Oct. 13 Oct. 21 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24 Dec. 2
beat Kettle Run, 35-14 beat Handley, 59-14 beat Fauquier, 49-7 beat Millbrook, 35-22 beat Dominion, 27-10 beat Millbrook, 35-32 beat Liberty, 33-21 lost to Salem, 49-14
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Warriors have a force up front in Corbit By Robert Niedzwiecki rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com STEPHENS CITY - Earning second-team All-Class 4 Northwestern District honors on defense was probably cause for celebration for a lot of football players in 2017, but not Sherando’s Nick Corbit. “I felt like I needed to focus more on the little things,” said Corbit after taking a few seconds to think about his answer. “To be honest with you, I wasn’t satisfied with myself on the defensive side of the ball. I wasn’t satisfied at all.
to continue his even more decorated play on the offensive side of the ball. A left tackle, Corbit is the only returning player in the district from the five who were selected to last year’s All-Region 4C first-team offensive line. Sherando coach Bill Hall has no doubt that Corbit is going to do whatever he can to make himself and his team the best it can be. “Nick’s a great kid and he comes from a great family,” Hall said. “He comes from a foundation where he likes to work really hard, and his best football is still ahead of him.”
Corbit said he’s been playing football for six years, and he said he gets a lot of inspiration from his 6-foot-5 father Steve, who wrestled and played football and basketball while growing up in For those linemen who weren’t al- Pennsylvania. ready uneasy about taking on the “Ever since I was a little kid, he’s 6-foot-1, 255-pound senior Corbit always motivated me to do great things on and off the field,” Corbit this year, they better steel themselves when Sherando pops up on said. “A big thing I like to pride myself on is being a good person the schedule. on and off the field.” That’s because Corbit not only “I did my job. I did what I had to do to make the team win. But I want to do my job, and then some. My goal is to do my job and do what I can for the team. I just to completely dominate people.”
seems determined to make his mark on defense, but he’s looking
File Photo/Scott Mason
Senior Nick Corbit is looking to make a bigger impact from his defensive end position this season. starting lineup, doing so in the fourth game of his sophomore year in 2016. Corbit finished the season with 32 tackles and a team-high four sacks. Corbit said it meant a lot to start as early as he did in his career.
role models, really good football players. It taught me at a young age that you’ve got to step up. You’ve got to be the man. You’ve got to dominate. Ever since then, it’s just been a process to kind of earn it every day.”
After playing as a reserve on the “It was huge,” Corbit said. “A lot of offensive line as a sophomore, the guys on that team, like Dylan Corbit moved into the starting It was on the defensive side of the Rivers [a linebacker now at VirCORBIT, 71 ball where Corbit first cracked the ginia Tech] were just really big
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2017 sherando stats • Receiving leader: Aaron Banks (60 catches • Passing leader: Hunter for 1,060 yards, 12 touchEntsminger (164 of 238, downs) 2,736 yards, 33 touch• Total tackles: Payne downs, 6 interceptions) Bauer (110) • Rushing leader: T.J. • Sacks: Michael Perry (6) Washington (229 carries for 1,545 yards, 18 touch- • Interceptions: Aaron downs) Banks (8) • Record: 11-3 (5-1 Northwestern District)
Sherando Continued from 34
pulse to make sure they have those things. And they’ve done a really, really good job in those areas.” Entsminger is back after a 2017 season in which he earned Class 4 all-state second team honors in addition to being named the Offensive Player of the Year for Region 4C, the Class 4 Northwestern District and The Winchester Star. Entsminger set school records for completions (164, on 238 attempts), passing yards (2,736) and TDs (33) last year while throwing only six interceptions. He also had 95 carries for 353 yards (3.7 average) and four TDs. Sherando - which averaged 41.1 points and 391.8 yards per game last year - also returns a dynamic and versatile pair of running backs. Senior T.J. Washington - a first team All-Region 4C selection - had 229 carries for 1,545 yards (6.7 average) and 18 TDs, and he also
37
2018 roster No. 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 12 14 16 17 20 22 23 24 25 26 28 30 33 35 36 38
Name Malachi Doleman Nicholas Mazza Chacai Cambell Jabril Hayes Hunter Entsminger William Hall JoJo Doleman Chase Wilde McKInley Dean Calvin Bowser Jared Bradley Ilnicky Damien Gustaitis T.J. Washington Keli Lawson Zachary Kim Luke Waits Cannon Varnau Jackson Hendren Darius Lane Payne Bauer Christian Eppard Joshua Rivers Isaiah Taylor
Pos. WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB QB/DB TE/DE RB/LB HB/LB TE/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB WR/DB RB/DB K WR/DB K WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB TE/LB RB/LB
Ht. 5-9 5-9 5-10 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-8 5-9 5-9 6-4 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-8 5-10 6-2 5-9 5-10 5-10
Wt. 160 160 185 155 185 215 225 195 215 150 120 140 185 180 165 155 155 135 165 230 185 200 200
Yr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr.
No. 40 42 44 45 50 53 54 55 58 60 61 62 64 65 70 71 72 73 80 84 88 90
Name Marcus Loveless Dillon Hunter Owen Even Skyler Taylor-Goode Joel Santmier Ethan Broccolo Caleb McLee Austin Covert Henry Rusch Parker Clendenen Nevin Schulze Jacob Raymond Brady McKnight Addison Rios DeShawn Lee Nick Corbit Daniel Boespflug Keith Gouveia Aidan Smith Luca Janser Jacob Moe Michael Usa
Pos. TE/LB TE/LB TE/LB TE/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/DL WR/DB TE/DL TE/DL
Ht. 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-8 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-4 5-10 6-0 6-0
Wt. 205 165 180 200 230 250 205 205 250 200 195 235 200 240 260 250 265 250 195 155 200 230
Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.
tions he can throw to. This group includes senior Nick Mazza (three catches, 114 yards, one TD) and sophomore Keli Lawson, who had a strong freshman year for Sherando’s basketSenior JoJo Doleman had 58 carries for 372 ball and track and field teams. Washington yards (6.4 average) and eight TDs to earn sec- can also be used as a slot receiver. ond-team all-district honors. He added 308 Sherando’s offensive line loses all-region seyards and three TDs on 19 receptions. lection Isaiah Allen, a senior who elected not The Warriors lost all-state second-team wide to come out for the team this year. But the receiver Aaron Banks (school-record 60 Warriors do bring back starters Nick Corbit catches, 1,060 yards, 12 touchdowns, now a (senior, left tackle, first team All-Region 4C), defensive back at Richmond), but Hall feels SHERANDO, 38 Entsminger will have a number of strong opcaught 43 passes for 611 yards and 11 TDs. Washington’s 33 touchdowns produced a school record for points (198).
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Sherando
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senior center Daniel Boespflug and senior left guard Joel Santmier.
and Class 4 Northwestern District Defensive brother of Dylan Rivers, a sophomore linePlayer of the Year in 2017. He had 80 tackles backer at Virginia Tech. (14 for loss) and three sacks. Sherando’s secondary loses Banks after he After playing on the inside last year, Doleearned first team all-state honors as a free man will play on the outside like he did as a safety. sophomore. The Warriors limited the use of Washington
Sophomore Keith Gouveia (right tackle) and senior Jacob Raymond (right guard) were also leading candidates to start heading into Sherando’s first scrimmage against Musselman (W.Va.) on Aug. 11.
“Because of who we have inside, we feel like we can have JoJo play on the outside and constrict space,” Hall said. “We’re doing that because we have a lot of confidence in the guys inside.”
Sherando’s front also features an honorable mention all-district selection in Hall’s son Will. A senior tight end, Will Hall had nine catches for 209 yards and two TDs in 2017.
Junior McKinley Dean (20 tackles) - who started for an injured Doleman in last year’s Region 4C championship win over Liberty will move into the starting lineup as Sherando’s Mike linebacker.
Continued from 37
(two interceptions) on defense last year, but he and honorable mention district selection Malachi Doleman, a senior who had 68 tackles and four interceptions in 2017, are strong options at the cornerback positions. Mazza (17 tackles, one interception) is among the other players should also factor in at cornerback.
Junior Jabril Hayes (19 tackles) who backed up Banks last year, will step into the free On the defensive line, Allen was also an allsafety position. Campbell will play strong region selection at tackle. Sherando still fea- “He’s a hard worker,” Hall said. “He was with safety. Senior Cannon Varnau could also facus in the winter offseason program, and tures a second-team all-district defensive tor in at the safety positions. when he played baseball in the spring he end in Corbit (30 tackles, 5.5 for loss). The was in at 6:30 in the morning lifting. He’s re- On special teams, Sherando features a secWarriors also bring back another starting ally smart and very coachable, and he’s put ond-team all-state punt returner in Washdefensive end in senior Austin Covert (31 himself in a position to be successful.” ington, who brought back 16 for 345 yards tackles, 8.5 for loss). (21.6 average) and three TDs in 2017. WashA tackle, Santmier (18 tackles) was a key fig- Playing next to him will be junior Payne ure last year when the Warriors played a 4-3 Bauer, an honorable mention all-district se- ington was also an honorable mention alldistrict kickoff returner (13 for 338 yards, a lection who led Sherando with 110 tackles defense. Raymond and Gouveia should also 26.0 average, and 1 TD). (22 for loss) and added 5.5 sacks last year. play a big role at the tackle positions. When Sherando’s in a 3-4 formation, Lawson Taking over for graduated first-team all-disSherando loses a couple of multi-year trict kicker Stone Garver will either be sophand senior Marcus Loveless can also play starters from its linebacking corps in omore Jack Hendren, an addition from the outside linebacker. Strong safety Chacau Michael Perry (now at NCAA Division II soccer team, or junior Luke Waits. At punter, Campbell can also move up to play outside Charleston) and Joe Kelliher, but the WarEntsminger is back after he shared duties linebacker. riors have every reason to feel good about with Garver last year. JoJo Doleman can this unit with the players they have back. Someone who could see time in a reserve also punt. Doleman - who has a scholarship offer from role at inside linebacker is Josh Rivers, a NCAA Division I Marshall - was an all-state senior who is playing football for the first Sherando opens its season at 7 p.m. on Aug. first-team selection as well as a Region 4C 24 at James Wood. time at Sherando. Rivers is the younger
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Hawks must replace firepower By Kip Ritenour kipsports@thewarrensentinel.com
BY THE NUMBERS
FRONT ROYAL – Veteran Skyline High School football coach Heath Gilbert may face his biggest challenge since the Hawks very first season in 2007.
• 7 - Number of receptions by Ty Clingerman last year. Clingerman is Skyline’s top returning receiver.
The Hawks finished 4-6 last year in the regular season, but qualified for the postseason before losing to cross-town rival Warren County in the opening round of the playoffs.
• 53 - Number of tackles Marcel Roy had last season for the Hawks.
Despite the final 4-7 record, the Hawks were in most every game
2018 HawkS • Coach: Heath Gilbert (12th year, 55-63) • Offense/Defense: Multiple-I/4-2-5 • Key returnees: TE/LB Nathan Abel, RB/DB Ty Clingerman, FB/LB Jacob Grady, WR/DB Caleb Reedy, QB/DB Chase Tasker, WR/DB Laterrian Barber, OL/DL Jayden Norwood, OL/DL Marcel Roy, OL/DL Ethan Nowell, K/P Douglas Cummings • Key losses: QB/LB Ryan Scott, RB/LB Quentin Diggs, WR/DB Luis Garcia, WR/DB Trenton King, RB/LB Tucker Fortney, OL/DL Justin Jenkins, WR/DB Matt Rutherford, WR/DB Bailey Smeltzer
• 21 - Number of extra points made by Douglas Cummings last season as a freshman.
and their offense was as formidable as usual, churning out big yardage and plenty of touchdowns. The attack the past two years was spearheaded by quarterback Ryan Scott, who used his 6-foot-2inch, 205-pound frame to hurt defenses with both his arm and legs. But Scott graduated, along with most all other components of the Skyline attack from a year ago, Rich Cooley/Daily file leaving Gilbert with the challenge of replacing all that produc- Skyline’s Laterrian Barber looks for running room during the third quarter in a game last season. The Hawks have a young and tion. inexperienced team this season. Skyline scored 33 touchdowns last year and of that number, 32 yards and four touchdowns with downs and also rushed for 466 are gone via graduation. him. yards and added eight more scores on the ground. Scott, the Region Offensive Top receivers Louis Garcia (39 Player of the Year last fall, passed Leading rusher Quentin Diggs also graduated, taking his 683 for 1,603 yards and 14 touch-
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2018 sCheDule Aug. 24 Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Broadway, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5
Sept. 7
Oct. 19
at James Wood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 Handley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26
Sept. 21 Brentsville, 7 p.m.
Nov. 2
2017 Results (4-7, 2-3 Class 3 N.west. DistRiCt)
Aug. 25 lost to Central, 48-13 Sept. 1 beat Broadway, 32-22 Culpeper County, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 lost to James Wood, 28-22, OT at William Monroe, 7 p.m. Sept. 16 lost to Handley, 40-0 Sept. 29 beat Strasburg, 28-26 Brentsville, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 lost to Culpeper County, 27-16 at Warren County, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 beat Manassas Park, 37-12 Oct. 20 beat William Monroe, 41-25 Oct. 27 lost to Brentsville, 22-21 Nov. 3 lost to Warren County, 22-21 Nov. 10 lost to Warren Co., 31-14
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Reedy anxious to leave behind lost season By Kip Ritenour kipsports@thewarrensentinel.com
“My junior year was supposed to be big, and I was hoping to do big things for the team,” Reedy said before a recent Skyline practice. “I was devastated.”
“It was a square hit, and I was in excruciating pain,” Reedy said. “I knew it wasn’t good.”
determined to get back to 100 percent. I think he is even better now than he was last year. He put time in here at Skyline and through FASST in Winchester. He deserves a healthy season to show his ability, Next came the grueling rehab. and I’m looking forward to watchBut Reedy relished the opportunity ing him perform.” to return to the field and breezed through the grind to became what Reedy says he prefers lining up outside and running pass routes, but he calls being nearly 100 percent will do whatever coach Gilbert asfor the Hawks opener on Friday. signs him to do to help the team. “The rehab was easier than I “I know coach Gilbert will put me thought it would be,” Reedy said. “Getting back to [full strength] was in the best position to help the slow, but I had a good time doing it. team,” Reedy said. “I will do whatever the team needs.” “I just love the sport, and I wanted Having the added pressure of being to get back out there play.” the player that everyone is countWith the graduation of several key ing on to replace the lost production performers from last year’s squad, does not faze Reedy. In fact, he relincluding star quarterback Ryan ishes the challenge. Scott, leading rusher Quentin Diggs, and leading receivers Louis And worrying about taking another hit on his repaired leg isn’t in Garcia and Trenton King, the Reedy’s mindset. Hawks will lean heavily on Reedy this year to replace a lot of that pro- “I guess it is in the back of my duction. mind, but I don’t think of it,” Reedy said. “But we got a great new quarReedy will start at wide receiver, but will also line up in the backfield terback, and our offensive line is better than last year. We have some in Skyline’s WildHawk formation, good players.” carrying the ball and sometimes
It wasn’t.
even passing it as well.
FRONT ROYAL – Skyline senior Caleb Reedy remembers his last football game like it was yesterday, even though it was nearly a year ago. Reedy was a junior last year for Skyline, one that head coach Heath Gilbert had high hopes for to be another weapon in the Hawks offense. With good size at 6-feet-1-inch tall, 180 pounds, and plenty of speed, Reedy was a gifted athlete. But during the first game of the 2017 campaign against Central, Reedy’s season came to a crashing end. During a kick-off return in the fourth quarter against the Falcons, in what was a close game at 21-13 Central, Reedy was sprinting toward the sideline when he was hit square on his right leg. Reedy went down in a heap and immediately knew something was wrong.
Reedy suffered a broken femur in his right leg and was out for the season.
43
Reedy is also expected to make an “Caleb is as talented as anyone we impact on defense from his strong will face this year,” Gilbert said. “He safety position. attacked his rehab and was very “I hoping to play a lot of defense, I
Rich Cooley/Daily
Skyline’s Caleb Reedy is ready to lead the Hawks this season, after suffering a season-ending injury in the first game of last year. The Hawks will host Central on Friday. really like it,” Reedy said. “I like hitting people and setting the edge.” Reedy believes most opponents will look past the Hawks, and he thinks that will be a mistake for them. “I believe we will win a lot more games this year,” Reedy said. “As long as we are physical up front. I do think people will underestimate us.”
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SKYLINE HAWKS
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2017 skyline stats • Record: 4-7 (2-3 Class 3 Northwestern District) • Passing leader: Ryan Scott (111 for 221, 1,603 yards, 14 touchdowns, 7 interceptions) • Rushing leader: Quentin Diggs (128 carries for 683 yards,
4 touchdowns) • Receiving leader: Luis Garcia (39 receptions for 699 yards, 4 touchdowns) • Total tackles: Justin Jenkins (144) • Sacks: Kyle McHugh (5) • Interceptions: Ty Clingerman (5)
Hawks Continued from 41
catches, 699 yards, four touchdowns) and Trenton King (26 catches, 308 yards, six touchdowns) have also moved on. Skyline’s top returning rusher is senior Ty Clingerman, who had one carry for two yards.
2018 RosteR No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23
Name Nathan Abel Blake Appleton Nigel Wood Hayden Gray Ty Clingerman Jacob Grady Mark Almeida Douglas Cummings R.J. Look Aden Smith Michael Davis Caleb Reedy Logan Maiatico Chase Tasker Asher Pastore Justin Keraney Logan Lockhart Caleb Dodson Darrien Santucci Anthony Domino Laterrian Barber
Pos. TE/LB QB/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/DB FB/LB TE/DE K/P WR/DB WR/LB WR/LB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/LB K/P RB/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB
Ht. 6-2 5-8 5-8 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-9 6-1 6-0 5-11 5-9 6-0 5-9 5-9 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-4 6-0 5-9 5-11
Wt. 190 140 140 170 160 185 190 150 165 170 165 185 130 165 170 200 200 130 220 160 180
Yr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr.
No wonder Gilbert says he will count on the most experienced part of the team to help the contribute along the offensive and defensive lines and one thing that stands out is the size transition – the Hawks offensive line. Skyline brings to the field. “Many key guys graduated, (so) we are going Other linemen include junior Jayden Norto lean on our offensive line,” Gilbert said. wood (6’2”, 260), junior Andre Daville (6’4”, “We have a strength of linemen coming 300), senior Anthony Sosa (6’, 240), sophothrough our program. We have three senior, more Dathen Montoya (6’2”, 300), sophomore two junior and six sophomore linemen that I’m excited about and the freshman class has Miles Troxell (6’3”, 215), and sophomore a few that are very promising as well.” Patrick Slate (6’2”, 265). Gilbert said the key starting linemen for the Hawks this year will be senior Marcel Roy (6’1”, 260), senior Ethan Nowell (6’1”, 185) and sophomore Will Wolf (6’2”, 250). The Hawks will have several other players
No. 24 25 28 31 35 42 48 52 54 55 56 58 60 66 74 76 77 78 79 80
Name David Carter Colin Parsons Ethan Woodwell Bogdan Ion Ethan Gue Wyatt Spiker Matthew Leach Jayden Norwood Marcel Roy Andre Deville Ethan Nowell Chris Moin Anthony Sosa Dathen Montoya William Wolf Miles Troxell Patrick Slate Wesley Deavers Matthew Sosa Austin Hickman
Pos. RB/LB WR/DB WR/LB RB/LB FB/DE RB/LB TE/DE 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/DB
Ht. 6-1 6-0 5-10 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-1 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 5-8
Wt. 175 140 170 175 215 160 205 260 260 300 185 170 240 300 250 215 265 220 280 155
Yr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So. So. So. So. So. Sr.
But still, the Hawks will have to find a way to put points on the board. Senior Chase Tasker (5’9”, 165), the back-up quarterback the past two seasons, will take over behind center this year for the Hawks. Tasker was just 6-of-15 passing for 67 yards in limited action and rushed nine time for a minus 28 yards.
“Ryan was a special player and replacing him “I feel good about playing up to nine different will be difficult because he was such a dual threat,” Gilbert said. “But Chase does have offensive lineman,” Gilbert said. “Our defensive linemen are grading well and we will be arm talent and good feet.” able to play two strong groups to keep the guys fresh.” HAWKS, 45
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Gilbert said his squad has shown improveClingerman, senior Caleb Dodson (5’4”, 130) ment continually through camp and the first scrimmages and he expects that trend to and senior Bogdan Ion (5’11”, 175) are the Continued from 44 leading candidates to receive the bulk of the continue. carries in the backfield, with Reedy and “Defensively, we showed growth from our inGilbert said he expects players such as sen- Barber getting plenty of looks in the various trasquad and first scrimmage,” Gilbert said. ior Caleb Reedy (6’, 185), junior LT Barber formations the Hawks like to run. “Offensively, we are settling in on assign(5’11”, 180), and Clingerman (5’10”, 160) to ments and execution and we will improve as Senior fullback Jacob Grady (5’9”, 185) also do well. brings experience and talent to the backfield we become more comfortable with our new Clingerman and Barber both excelled in the roles. The huge offensive key will be estabalong with junior Ethan Gue (6’2”, 215). defensive backfield for the Hawks last year lishing a consistent running game.” and do offer speed and with a chance to play Gilbert is also high on receivers, senior Gilbert said one reason for optimism this Nigel Wood (5’8”, 140) and junior Anthony more offensively, they should produce. season, despite the loss of all that offensive Domino (5’9, 160). The big threat to become Skyline’s next offensive star falls on the shoulders of Reedy. With a solid rotation of players on the defen- talent, is the number of Hawks who attended the off-season program. sive line, senior Ryan Abel (6’2, 190) will The Hawks were counting on Reedy to “We were productive, we participated in emerge last year as a special player with his lead Hawks linebacking unit but will also many 7-on-7 events, including our own,” flex out to play defensive end as well. Abel combination and speed, but his season was will also be the Hawks primary tight end. Gilbert said. “We give out commitment lost in the first regular season game versus shirts every summer for guys attending at Central when he suffered a broken leg. Sophomore David Carter (6’1, 175) led the least 23 of 27 sessions, and we gave out 23 team in tackles in all three games he played Now almost completely healthy, Reedy says shirts and had 73 kids come out for footin last year will be one of the Hawks prihe’s ready to be the man for the Hawks. mary linebackers this season with help com- ball.” “I just want to get back on the field and Gilbert said the playoffs are always a goal compete hard,” said Reedy, who will line up ing from senior Aden Smith (5’11, 179), Grady, junior Hayden Gray (5’10, 170) and for the Hawks, but for now his focus is on at wide receiver, but also move to the backsophomore Darrien Santucci (6’, 220). the next practice, and the next game on the field in the WildHawk set employed by Skyline. “I just want to go out there and out The defensive backfield should be solid with schedule. perform for everybody.” Reedy, Barber and Clingerman leading the “We have been stressing the importance of Coach Gilbert believes Reedy can be the “it” way. our culture and making sure the kids can player this season for the Hawks. define it,” Gilbert said. “Our culture is de“Our depth has been solid - we have guys fined by our leadership, relationships, attithat can make plays in both our first and “Even though we had many skills lost to tude, work ethic, and locker room. At every second units,” Gilbert said. “Our special graduation, we still have talent at those poturn we have been emphasizing the positive sitions,” Gilbert said. “Caleb Reedy is as tal- teams will be improved because less guys ented as anyone we will face this year. Caleb will have to play 100 percent of our snaps and negative behaviors of our players to also has the arm talent to bring an ariel ele- both ways.” help mold the culture we want.” ment to the wild package.”
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Stonewall trying to buck losing trend in Lampman’s second season Brad Fauber bfauber@nvdaily.com
by the numbers
QUICKSBURG – When a team is hurting for wins as badly as Stonewall Jackson’s football team, sometimes even the smallest of changes are necessary to try to erase some of that bad mojo. Head coach Pete Lampman made plenty of them heading into his second season at the helm. The Generals’ coaching staff made the obvious move when it ramped up the team’s summertime workout program, an aspect Lampman expects to continue to grow in the future. But the team also has made more miniscule changes, such as the reintroduction of red helmets and brand-new white uniforms and moving the location of
2018 generals • Coach: Pete Lampman (Second year, 0-11) • Offense/Defense: Triple option/4-3 • Key returnees: OL/DL Devin Campbell, RB/LB Udreka Claude, WR/K Blake McCourt, QB/DB Logan Ritchie, OL/LB Chase Streett • Key losses: OL/DL/LB Drew Binion, OL/DL Dakota Bush, QB/RB/DB Brendan Hoover, RB/DB Logen Patton
• 1 - Number of returning offensive starters who haven’t changed positions • 27 - Number of consecutive losses Stonewall has suffered during current losing streak • 54 - Number of points Stonewall allowed per game in 2017
the team’s practice field. “We’re trying everything in the book basically to get it going,” Lampman said recently. “It’s not an overnight process but I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Rich Cooley/Daily
Central’s Dean Woodwell leaps over Stonewall’s Udreka Claude to recover a fumble during a game last season. ago.
down on the things that they have to know and learn so they can just The general feeling is that play football. We tried to do the Stonewall should see progress offensively. Not only do the Generals same philosophy defensively as well.” now have a year in the triple-opThe Generals are hoping that simtion, but the team also got the plification on offense leads to betchance to work with Lou Cella of ter results after averaging just the Triple Option Football Acad11.3 points per game and 191 emy during a camp at Stonewall yards per contest during the reguover the summer. lar season. Stonewall doesn’t return much in “He came down and told us how to Logan Ritchie, a senior who played the way of experience this fall – do it properly,” Lampman said of wingback last season, has moved most of the few returning starters Cella, a sport and performance back to quarterback and will take the Generals do have are playing psychologist. “We were doing a the reins as the starter this fall. new positions – but Lampman said pretty good job but now we know he feels the team is “better and exactly what we’re looking for, STONEWALL, 50 more athletic” than it was a year what we wanna run, so we’ve cut Lampman’s first season as Stonewall’s head coach ended the same as it did in 2016 when he was an assistant – with a zero in the win column. The Generals went 0-11 in 2017, a mark that included a loss in the first round of the Region 1B playoffs, and they’ve won only five games over the past six years.
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2018 schedule Aug. 24 at Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Riverheads, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 Central, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5
at Page County, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7
Oct. 12
Stuarts Draft, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19
Sept. 14 Luray, 7 p.m.
at East Rockingham, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Robert E. Lee, 7 p.m. Oct. 26
Buffalo Gap, 7 p.m.
at Wilson Memorial, 7 p.m.
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2017 Results (0-11, 0-8 shenandoah distRict) Aug. 25 lost to Strasburg, 34-0 Sept. 1 lost to Central, 64-7 Sept. 8 lost to Wilson Memorial, 48-7 Sept. 15 lost to Luray, 70-20 Sept. 22 lost to Robert E. Lee, 70-22
Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20
lost to Riverheads, 59-7 lost to Page County, 48-19 lost to Stuarts Draft, 42-10 lost to East Rockingham, 42-12 Oct. 27 lost to Buffalo Gap, 67-14 Nov. 10 lost to Altavista, 48-6
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STONEWALL JACKSON GENERALS
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Ritchie ready to reclaim reins of Generals’ triple-option offense Brad Fauber bfauber@nvdaily.com QUICKSBURG - When Pete Lampman was asked earlier this month about the qualities senior Logan Ritchie brings to the field, the Stonewall Jackson football coach immediately mentioned leadership. Lampman detailed Ritchie’s work ethic and his attitude, how he’s always upbeat, sometimes to the point where he “plays around” a little too much. Ritchie is a leader, Lampman said, and the Generals follow him. For that reason, he was a logical choice to serve as Stonewall’s starting quarterback in 2018. “I like to be a leader and I know I’m gonna have the ball in my hands a lot, and the offense kind of relies on what I decide to do,” Ritchie said of getting the chance to quarterback Stonewall’s triple-option offense after playing wingback last season. “I’ve run the option multiple years of my life, so I was really familiar with it, so I was just ready to take it on, I guess, lead the team.” Ritchie is no stranger to the quarterback position. He began the 2016 season, his sophomore year, as the backup to QB Brendan Hoover and took over the reins of the Generals’ offense when Hoover went down with a broken collarbone in the second game that fall.
Rich Cooley/Daily
Stonewall’s Logan Ritchie runs through a play during a recent practice. The senior will be the Generals’ starting quarterback.
Ritchie now faces the task of helping to orchestrate an offense that has struggled mightily to Stonewall went winless in 2016 and again last produce much in the way of yards and points season in the first year under Lampman, who in recent seasons. “He’s been super positive,” Lampman said of re-installed the triple-option after the Generhis new quarterback. “… He’s worked hard. als dabbled in that style of offense back in 2013. He’s been an area of strength - quarterback’s
been an area of strength this year, first and second team, actually, so we’ve got some depth there. He’s learned to read the option pretty well. It kind of all revolves around him. As long as he’s going well, then we’ll be going well.” RITCHIE, 51
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2017 stonewall jackson stats • Record: 0-11, 0-8 Shenandoah • Passing leader: Brendan Hoover (24-for64, 432 yards, 3 touchdowns, 7 interceptions)
• Receiving leader: Logen Patton (9 receptions, 94 yards) • Total tackles: Drew Binion (29)
• Sacks: Dakota Bush (2) • Rushing leader: Logen Patton (97 carries for 357 • Interceptions: Brendan yards, 2 touchdowns) Hoover, Logan Ritchie (1)
Stonewall Continued from 47
Lampman said QB should be a strength for the Generals in 2018, as should an offensive line that includes four seniors – center Chase Streett, the unit’s only returning starter, left tackle James Shumway, left guard Tyler Mongold and right guard Devin Campbell – and junior right tackle Jacob Stephens. Junior Tyler Vanderpuye will start the season as the starting fullback, Lampman said, at least until senior Udreka Claude – Stonewall’s second-leading rusher (45 carries, 239 yards, one touchdown) last season – returns from a two-game suspension, and sophomore Rion Dennison and junior Damian Tapia will be the starting wingbacks.
2018 RosteR No. 1 4 5 7 10 11 12 15 20 22 24 28 32 44 50 54
Name Austin Ritchie Jacob Lemon Logan Ritchie Branson Estep Damian Tapia Dario Mendez Kyle Baker Craig Ayala Victor Gonzalez-Cordero Tyler Vanderpuye Christopher Fox Rion Dennison Udreka Claude Kadin Hitt Tyler Mongold Jacob Stephens
Ht. 5-11 5-5 6-1 5-11 5-7 5-9 5-7 5-8 5-8 5-8 5-9 5-11 5-9 5-6 5-8 5-11
Wt. 146 139 163 175 139 132 128 123 148 171 153 189 179 136 238 219
Yr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr.
No. 55 57 61 62 65 69 70 74 75 77 78 80 84 85 87
Name Thamyus Claude Samuel Richman Charles Streett V Cole Wealthy Kobe Hinkle Ryan Carbaugh Colin Vresics Jake Gaete Jarrett Lonas Devin Campbell James Shumway Jalen Kane Cameron Martinez Griffin Proctor William McCourt
Ht. 5-7 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-11
Wt. 188 170 230 190 298
6-0 5-10 5-9 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-0 6-1
196 285 197 254 208 180 172 172 219
Yr. So. So. Sr. Jr. So. So. So. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr.
team. I think we’re gonna compete well. I think we’ll compete better than we did last year.”
two safety spots, although he added that the position was “undetermined” as of Aug. 14.
Many of those same names will feature prominently on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season Stonewall allowed 53.8 points per game.
“We’re just trying to get more aggressiveness, less thinking, so simplifying the defense,” Lampman said. “More aggressiveness and going after the ball and hitting somebody. Worry less about making a mistake and go hit The strength of Stonewall’s defense, Lampman somebody.” said, lies at the linebacker position, where the McCourt will once again handle the kicking 6-foot-, 230-pound Streett returns to anchor duties. the middle. He’ll be flanked by Stephens and Blake McCourt, a senior and the only returnDennison, and Claude figures to also enter the Stonewall, which has lost 27 games in a row ing offensive starter who is playing the same dating back to the 2015 season, opens the 2018 position he did a year ago, will start at receiver mix upon his return. slate with a game at Strasburg on Aug. 24. alongside classmate Branson Estep. In the secondary, Ritchie, a returning starter, “Really we just wanna win,” Lampman said of will hold down one of the cornerback spots op“They’re eager. They wanna turn it around. They’re working pretty hard,” Lampman said. “I posite Vanderpuye, and Lampman said Tapia STONEWALL, 51 think we have a chance to be a decent football and Austin Ritchie are likely to start at the Up front, the 6-foot, 254-pound Campbell will start at defensive tackle alongside junior Cole Wealthy, Lampman said, with Shumway and Kyle Baker at end.
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Ritchie Continued from 49
Things didn’t go very well for the Generals in their first full season in the triple-option in 2017, as they averaged only 191 yards per game, the worst mark in the Northern Virginia Daily’s coverage area.
STONEWALL JACKSON GENERALS
Logan Ritchie would be the better fit for the Generals in 2018, given that he’s bigger and stronger than his younger brother, whom Lampman said will benefit from having another year to grow.
Ritchie’s also eager to retain his starting role on the defensive side of the ball at cornerback, saying that he appreciates the idea of being able to make up for mistakes he makes on offense by making a big defensive play.
Austin Ritchie, a sophomore, is Stonewall’s backup quarterback this fall.
The 2018 season will mark Ritchie’s fourth as a member of Stonewall’s varsity team, and his third as a starter. In his first three seasons, the Generals have won just one game.
“In practice and offseason me and him were both pushing each other to new levels,” Logan Ritchie said, “because we were both working In preparation for the 2018 season, the hard, like working out every day, throwing the Stonewall coaching staff welcomed Lou Cella, ball, getting better at reads and stuff like that. a sport and performance psychologist who So we both kind of upped our game level a couruns the Triple Option Football Academy to ple steps up. I’ve seen improvements in him so the school. As a result, the offense was pared I know next year whenever I leave he’s gonna down to make things simpler for the Generals. be up there where he left off. He ought to be good and I’ve gotten better with him pushing Ritchie said he’d already noticed a difference in the first couple weeks of preseason practice. me because he taught me like all what happened last year from a different perspective at “Last year we kind of had everything like spread out and it was a lot more complicated,” quarterback.” Logan Ritchie added that Austin has handled Ritchie said. “This year it’s just simplified to the situation well, considering he had to cede where guys know what to do on every play, and we have a good majority of returners back the starting job to his older brother. so everybody knows the concept of the offense. “He’s always been one of my biggest supportWe’re just running it more fluently.” ers, so he’s always been behind me in everyThere was nearly a different Ritchie quarterbacking the Generals’ more simplified offense this season. Logan Ritchie’s younger brother Austin served as Hoover’s backup at the start of last season and took over the starting role in a midseason position shuffle that sent Hoover to wingback. Austin Ritchie entered the offseason as the Generals’ only varsity-ready QB, and Lampman said discussions were had that led to the older Ritchie being thrown back into the quarterback mix. Stonewall’s coaching staff decided
51
thing I do,” Logan Ritchie said. “And he knows that he’s still gonna get time out there, so it’s not that big of a deal. But we just have that close of a bond where whether it’s him out there or me out there, we’ll both support each other no matter what.” Regarding his return to QB, Logan Ritchie said he’s comfortable making the necessary reads to the run the triple-option effectively, and Lampman said the senior possesses the fearlessness, athleticism and intelligence required to quarterback such an offense.
“This year I just wanna be able to look back and realize I left it all out there on the field,” said Ritchie, who also plays baseball at Stonewall and helped the Generals reach the VHSL Class 1 state championship game as a sophomore in the spring of 2017. “And this year I just want help from all my guys. I want all of them giving me their all, and I’ll give them my best. Hopefully we can come together. I know one of our goals is to end that streak of losing. That’s the really big goal that we all have.”
Stonewall Continued from 50
the team’s goals. “We wanna get a win. Let’s get one and let’s enjoy that and go out and get another one. And then when you get another one, you want another one, and so forth and so on. Really we just wanna get a win and compete and see where that takes us, because once you get that feeling of that winning, you don’t ever wanna not do that again. It’ll be a big day and I think these kids have a chance to do that.”
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STRASBURG RAMS
52
Depth could lead to strong season for Rams Tommy Keeler Jr. tkeeler@nvdaily.com STRASBURG - One very noticeable ingredient Strasburg’s football team should have this season is depth.
BY THE NUMBERS • 9 - Number of seniors on this year’s young Strasburg squad. • 12 - Number of touchdown passes quarterback Chase Hart threw last season for the Rams.
The Rams have 38 players on the • 54 - Number of tackles last season roster this season, the most the by Stephen Kloosterman. The senior program has had in a while. is the team’s top returning tackler. Strasburg head coach Mark Roller said the added depth could be a petition. It also allows those kids big key to the team’s success this to battle each week for a spot for season. more playing time. You ask any coach around and that’s probably “We haven’t had it for a while,” what they say is they like to see Roller said of the depth. “So it’s good and it also brings good com- those battles. So that they have a lot of choices and they feel com2018 RAMS fortable putting kids out there. Now we’re at that point where we • Coach: Mark Roller (11th year, 53can put some guys out there and 56) feel comfortable and not be wor• Offense/Defense: Pro-I/4-4 ried about if somebody is going to • Key returnees: WR/DB Dylan get the job done.” Hamrick, QB/DE Chase Hart, RB/LB Jalen Bray, WR/DB Landen Elliott, RB/LB Nathan King, WR/DB Stephen Kloosterman, WR/DB Trevor Sager, TE/DL Cameron Harmon, RB/LB Greg Mason, RB/LB Da’Neil Holliday, OL/DL Hunter Miller, OL/DL Alec Campbell, OL/DL Levi Miller
• Key losses: RB/LB Austin Miller, WR/DB Brody Tomblin, TE/DE Grant Scott, OL/DL Shawn Hamp
Rich Cooley/Daily file
Strasburg’s Trevor Sager is knocked out of bounds after catching a pass during a game last season. Added depth has given Sager and the Rams high hopes for the upcoming season.
him be a leader back there,” Roller said. “He’s got a strong arm. We’re not expecting the load to be on his shoulders this year. After our (first) scrimmage we Junior Chase Hart will be the were happy to see what we were starting quarterback for the Rams able to do as far as running the this season. Hart threw for 1,557 ball, what the running backs were yards and 12 touchdowns last sea- able to do. That’s going to take a son for Strasburg. little pressure off of him and the offensive line did a very good job. “We’re looking forward to having The Rams have a young squad with only nine seniors. They have 13 sophomores and 16 juniors on this year’s squad.
We’re looking for him just to be able to get us to the positions that we need to be in, in order to be successful.” One of the big question marks the Rams have this season is replacing running back Austin Miller, who graduated in May. Miller ran for 1,209 yards and had 19 touchdowns. RAMS, 55
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STRASBURG RAMS
2018 scheDule Aug. 24 Stonewall Jackson, 7:30 p.m.
2017 Results (5-6, 2-2 Bull Run DistRict)
Oct. 5
George Mason, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12
at Clarke Co., 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19
at Nelson Co., 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Warren County, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26
Madison County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 Skyline, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2
at Central, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Luray, 7 p.m. Sept. 14 Rapp. Co., 7:30 p.m.
53
Aug. 25 beat Stonewall Jackson,
Oct. 6
34-0 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Sept. 15 beat Rapp. Co., 26-0 Oct. 27 Sept. 22 lost to Warren Co., 33-24 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Sept. 29 lost to Skyline, 28-26 Sept. 1 lost to Luray, 41-14
beat George Mason, 22-21 lost to Clarke Co., 49-20 beat Nelson Co., 50-34 beat Madison Co., 34-14 lost to Central, 42-6 lost to Clarke Co., 63-20
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Strasburg’s Kloosterman eager to make most of senior season Tommy Keeler Jr. tkeeler@nvdaily.com
touchdowns at wide receiver and 54 tackles on defense.
STRASBURG - Like most kids, Stephen Kloosterman started playing football at an early age. It didn’t take long for the Strasburg senior to know it was the sport for him.
“Last year I kind of brought together everything I learned as a sophomore,” Kloosterman said. “I hope it really showed when I was playing.”
Kloosterman said that he’s worked a lot in the offseason on his routes and on trying to improve his wide receiver skills. He said he also went to several col“I really can’t find anything not to lege football camps, including James Madison University, Unilove about football,” he said. versity of Richmond and ShepThe 6-foot-2 wide receiver/safety herd University. has already had a solid career for While he enjoys playing on dethe Rams, and he said he is hoping to make this year his best one fense, Kloosterman said playing on offense is his favorite part of yet. Kloosterman moved up to the var- football. Kloosterman said that he loves the contact of the game the most, but in general he can’t get enough of the game.
sity level at the end of his freshman year. In his sophomore season, Kloosterman had five receptions for 55 yards at wide receiver and 30 tackles on defense.
“I love having the ball in my hands,” he said. “I love catching the ball, seeing if I can find an opening, get through and maybe even score.”
Last year with an even bigger role Strasburg coach Mark Roller said on the team, Kloosterman had 31 that Kloosterman, who is also a receptions for 615 yards and six standout jumper in track and
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Rich Cooley/Daily file
Strasburg’s Stephen Kloosterman pulls down Clarke County’s Kyle Baylor during fourth quarter action last season. Kloosterman, a senior, is looking to have a strong season for the Rams on both sides of the ball. field, has a lot of strong attributes forward to this year is him being able to perform more than he has at wide receiver. the last two years. And you al“I think the first thing he brings ways expect your seniors to do is some height and he can jump pretty well - that goes to his high that by the time they are seniors.” jumping skills - and he’s got pretty good hands,” Roller said. “He’s really worked on his route running this summer. He’s been to several camps over the summer to kind of hone those skills in a little bit better. And I think that’s the one thing that we’re really looking
good luck to all area teams!
On defense, Kloosterman has moved around over the years. He’s played at cornerback, outside linebacker and this year he is playing at safety. Kloosterman said he loves playing KLOOSTERMAN, 56
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2017 strasburg stats â&#x20AC;˘ Record: 5-6 (2-2 Bull Run District) â&#x20AC;˘ Passing leader: Chase Hart (95 for 174, 1,557 yards, 12 touchdowns, 6 interceptions) â&#x20AC;˘ Rushing leader: Austin Miller (152 carries for 1,209 yards, 19 touchdowns)
2018 roster
â&#x20AC;˘ Receiving leader: Brody Tomblin (41 receptions for 728 yards, 6 touchdowns) â&#x20AC;˘ Total tackles: Austin Miller (88) â&#x20AC;˘ Sacks: Cameron Harmon (3) â&#x20AC;˘ Interceptions: Brody Tomblin (4)
Rams Continued from 52
Roller said he expects junior tailback Jalen Bray to play a big part in filling Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes. Bray rushed for 250 yards last season. Roller said sophomore Jesse Funkhouser will also see playing time at tailback with junior Daâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil Holliday and senior Greg Mason being at the fullback spot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those two guys, they bring an added dimension to the backfield,â&#x20AC;? Roller said of Holliday and Mason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to seeing what those two guys can do for us. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all different types of runners. So weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll kind of play around and see what we can do with them. So far Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been pretty pleased with what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen.â&#x20AC;? Roller said one position heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not worried about is receivers. Led by senior Stephen Kloosterman and junior Trevor Sager, the Rams should be really strong at that position. Kloosterman had 31 receptions for 615 yards and six touchdowns and Sager had 18 catches
No. 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37
Name Dylan Hamrick Trey Stinnette III Chase Hart Jalen Bray Bradley Ferrell Trevor Mercer Peyton Stickles Jesse Funkhouser Landen Elliott Ryan Jenkins Nathan King Jack VanNorton Stephen Kloosterman Trevor Sager Cameron Harmon Sean McKinley Ethan Stump Devon Chase Gregory Mason
Pos. WR/DB TE/LB QB/DE RB/LB TE/DE WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB TE/DL WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB
Ht. 5-9 5-11 6-0 5-8 6-0 NA N/A 5-8 5-10 5-9 5-6 N/A 6-2 5-9 6-3 N/A N/A N/A 5-9
Wt. 145 145 175 145 160 N/A N/A 145 140 150 140 N/A 185 150 175 N/A N/A N/A 165
Yr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr.
No. 45 49 50 52 55 56 60 63 69 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 81 83
Name Daâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil Holliday Christian Quite-Marquez Brandon Swafford Hunter Miller Garrett Long Andrew Jenkins Luke Jenkins Alec Campbell Kane Palmer Clayton Lauer Patchrick Kennedy Manuel Perez Camren Rutz Scott Ritenour Zion Holmes Levi Miller Connor Livingston Peter McKechnie Brandon Martin
, 2PUN :[YLL[ ŕ Ž :[YHZI\YN =( )\Z! IYLUKH WHYZVUZ 0USS'Z[H[LMHYT JVT
Ht. 5-11 N/A 5-11 5-9 N/A 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-5 6-1 5-11 5-5 5-7 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-1 5-8 5-5
Wt. 210 N/A 195 210 N/A 185 210 170 N/A 165 185 195 270 210 270 280 175 160 130
Yr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So.
for 342 yards and two scores last year. Junior Dylan Hamrick (five receptions for 60 yards last year) also returns to the receiving corps for the Rams.
and sophomores Clayton Lauer and Camren Rutz are also expected to see playing time on the offensive line.
Senior Hunter Miller and junior Alec Campbell are returning starters on the offensive line. Roller said that junior Brandon Swafford, sophomore Patchrick Kennedy, and senior Levi Miller will round out the starting offensive line this season. Junior Garrett Long
Roller said he expects the Ramsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offense to be effective and balanced this season. Last year the Rams averaged 331.9 yards of offense per contest.
Hunter Miller said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been happy with what Roller said sophomore Trey Stinnette and jun- heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seen from the younger guys on the offenior Bradley Ferrell will be playing at tight end sive line in the preseason. for the Rams this season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing pretty good at blocking,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel really comfortable because thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proba- Hunter Miller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had good footbly the place where we have the most experi- work, good technique. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just ready to ence,â&#x20AC;? Roller said of the Ramsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; receiving corps. play.â&#x20AC;?
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STRASBURG RAMS
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Rams Continued from 55
The Rams also have some key pieces returning on defense this season. Roller said Hunter Miller, Levi Miller, and Campbell will anchor the defensive front. Roller said Cameron Harmon will be at one defensive end spot with the other spot being up for grabs between Ferrell, Lauer, and Rutz. Holliday, Bray, Mason, Sager and Nathan King are expected to share playing time at linebacker. Sager played cornerback last year for the Rams and he said that he’s excited to be able to play at linebacker some this season as well.
The Rams should also be strong in the secondary led by Kloosterman, senior Landen Elliott, and Hamrick. Roller said that Funkhouser and sophomore Brandon Martin should also see some playing time. Sager is expected to be the team’s punter once again and Elliott will handle the kicking duties. The Rams are coming off a 56 record, and a first-round loss to Bull Run District rival Clarke County in the playoffs last season. Sager said he has very high hopes for what the Rams can accomplish this season.
“I think we should definitely win like seven games, that should be the least amount of games that we win,” he said. “We just have to keep push“It’s a little different,” Sager said of playing at linebacker. ing ourselves, keep going hard. We can’t let down at “I like it because you get to all. Everybody’s got to get to hit people a little more than you do at corner. I’m more in- the ball. Everybody’s got to go hard because if one person volved up front in the run is not doing what they’re supgame. I get a little bit more involved in that. I still get my posed to, it can ruin the reps on passes but overall I whole thing and something like it.” bad’s going to happen.”
Kloosterman Continued from 54
at safety because he can move around the field more looking to make plays. He said he’s also trying to be more of a leader to some of the younger players on defense this season. “With all the new kids we have and playing a lot, someone’s got to step in and lead,” Kloosterman said. “We still have young players at linebacker. A lot of them know what they’re doing, but I like to try and step in there whenever I can and try to help them out.”
pre-season All-American last year and helped lead JMU to the FCS title in the 2016-17 season. “He brought me into football,” Stephen Kloosterman said of his brother. “He taught me everything when I first started. He still teaches me today. I train with him some. I work on the footwork, speed. He’s a big part of where I’m at now. He’s always been an influence on me starting (at Strasburg) playing so good. They had really good seasons, really good teams. Watching him play at JMU and winning the national championship. I’ve always looked up to him.”
Stephen Kloosterman said he would like to play football in college as well Roller said that Kloosterman is not a and is looking at some smaller big vocal leader, but he always sets a schools. good example for all of the other He said his big goal for this season is players on the team. just to help the team win. Strasburg “He just leads by example, and I went 5-6 last year, losing in the first think the work ethic he has,” Roller round of the playoffs. Stephen said. “He never complains. And he Kloosterman said that he would like just keeps going about his business to see the team do even better this and does what he needs to do in year. order to keep us afloat. It’s been a kind of a special three years here for “I think we’re looking good,” he said. “There’s stuff we got to work on, but him and for us having him.” there’s nothing that we can’t fix with Kloosterman has always had a good this team. As long as we’re willing to role model to look up to - his brother work, we can definitely get in the Jonathan, a 2014 Strasburg graduplayoffs - first, second round maybe ate and a standout tight end at even go further. We want to make it JMU. as far as possible. And I want to be a Jonathan Kloosterman was a STATS big part with helping my team with Football Championship Subdivision that.”
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Warren County continuing to build in year two under Bush Brad Fauber bfauber@nvdaily.com FRONT ROYAL – The accomplishments were plentiful for Warren County’s football team in its first season under head coach Brian Bush. The Wildcats finished the 2017 season with a 7-5 record, their first winning mark since the 2013 season. They reached the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, and their first-round playoff win over cross-town rival Skyline was the program’s first postseason victory in four years.
BY THE NUMBERS • 9 - Number of returning starters Warren County has on both sides of the ball • 23 - Number of carries per game RB Ronnie Dodson averaged in 2017 • 87 - Number of total tackles DT Knorr Hunter recorded last season
second-round playoff appearance in 2018, but the Wildcats’ core goals remain largely unchanged from a year ago. Senior running back Ronnie Dodson said recently that the Warren County would certainly like Wildcats don’t set out to install to take things a step further than a goals that relate to wins and losses – such as winning a state title, for example – but instead focus their 2018 wildcaTS energy on developing qualities such • Coach: Brian Bush (Second year, as togetherness. 7-5)
• Offense/Defense: Pistol/4-2-5 • Key returnees: WR/DB Logan DeHaven, OL/DT Jake DiPatre, OL/DT Ricky Dodson, RB/LB Ronnie Dodson, OL/DT Knorr Hunter Jr., OL/DT Jordan Kenyon, QB/DB Bryce Post, OL/DE Aaron Schroyer • Key losses: K/P Stuart Ashley, WR/DB Michael Carter, WR/DB Brett Dickerson, LB Jacob Dodson, WR/LB Josh Edwards, WR/DB Jacob Good, OL/DL Andrew Johnson, RB/LB/DE Cody Pettit, WR/DB Ben Vogt, H/OL/DL Hunter Wines
Rich Cooley/Daily
Warren County’s Ronnie Dodson returns to lead the Wildcats’ offense after rushing for 1,539 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2017.
That’s in line with the culture Bush has been creating since he took over football. We’re gonna have a few guys that are strong, a few guys the program last year. that are fast. But if you don’t come “To me it’s not about the wins and together as a family, it doesn’t matlosses,” Bush said earlier this ter about those things.” month. “It’s about, one, we’re here to build a culture and build a program While the Wildcats were busy building that cohesiveness during the that we play together, we come topreseason, they also had to fill the gether and we make sure that win holes left by the graduation of 20 or lose, we’re gonna do it together. seniors from the 2017 squad. WarThat’s our goal because we’re alren County returns a total of nine ways gonna have talent. We’re alstarters from last year’s team, inways gonna have those guys that cluding four on offense and five on wanna play football, that can play
defense. Despite the roster turnover, Bush said when the team began practice on July 30 that he felt the Wildcats were out of the get-to-know-you stage and a lot further along than a year ago. Offensively, that means the Wildcats are better acclimated to Bush’s pistol offense, which generated 25.7 points and nearly 300 yards per game last season. WARREN COUNTY, 62
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WARREN COUNTY WILDCATS
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2018 sCheDule Aug. 25 at Handley, 1 p.m.
Oct. 5
Aug. 31 Kettle Run, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12
Sept. 14 at James Wood, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19
Sept. 21 Strasburg, 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 Nov. 2
Brentsville, 7 p.m.
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
2016 Results (7-5, 4-1 Class 3 N.west. DistRiCt)
Aug. 25 Sept. 1 at Culpeper Co., 7 p.m. Sept. 15 West. Albemarle, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 Sept. 29 at William Monroe, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 Skyline, 7 p.m. Oct. 13
lost to Handley, 14-13 lost to Kettle Run, 30-18 beat James Wood, 35-8 beat Strasburg, 33-24 lost to Clarke Co., 29-21 beat Brentsville, 28-25 lost to Culpeper Co., 14-3
Oct. 20 beat Manassas Park, 49-6 Oct. 27 beat William Monroe, 38-10 Nov. 3 beat Skyline, 22-21 Nov. 10 beat Skyline, 31-14 Nov. 17 lost to James Monroe, 27-17
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After an MCL tear in 2017, DiPatre is back as Wildcats’ undisputed leader Brad Fauber bfauber@nvdaily.com FRONT ROYAL - There was only about a minute left on the clock during last season’s late-September home game against Clarke County when Warren County defensive tackle Jake DiPatre saw his junior season come to an end. It was a case of bad luck that DiPatre, who had just been involved in a stop on one of many Clarke County running plays, had a player fall on his right leg, causing a tear of the MCL in his knee. DiPatre recalled recently that after making it to the sideline he did some high-knee exercises, and though he felt an unusual sensation in his knee, he wanted to return to the game during what was a critical moment.
wouldn’t be until April - about 6 ½ months later - that he was fully cleared to return to athletic activities. Most high school athletes feel an extra dose of motivation entering their senior year, but given DiPatre’s misfortunes last fall, he might have a little more juice than most. “I’ve been working, and I’m extremely excited to get back out there,” DiPatre said earlier this month. “Saturday (Aug. 4) was the first time I was in full pads since Sept. 29. I was all ready for it. I was ready to pop and hit somebody. Yeah, I’m ready. I feel like my knee’s healthy, and everything’s gonna go smoothly, hopefully, this year.”
Rich Cooley/Daily
Warren County’s lineman Jake DiPatre runs through a drill during a recent practice.
also became the Wildcats’ starting right guard on the offensive line a couple of games into the season. His return gives Warren County three returning starters on an O-line that DiPatre’s presence on the field for a paved the way last season for workhorse running back Ronnie Dodson, full season would certainly be a who carried 278 times for 1,539 boost for a Warren County team Instead, DiPatre could only watch looking to keep building in year two yards and 15 touchdowns in 2017. as a Clarke County ball carrier under head coach Brian Bush, folDiPatre enters his senior season as picked up a game-clinching first lowing a 2017 season in which the far more than a two-way starter, down on fourth-and-6 to preserve Wildcats posted their first winning however. He’s also the Wildcats’ the Eagles’ 29-21 win. season in four years and made the undisputed leader. playoffs for the first time since 2014. DiPatre would spend Warren County’s Following last season, Bush asked final seven games of 2017 on the Beginning last season as a one-way the Wildcats to make a list of the resideline due to his injury, and it starter at defensive tackle, DiPatre turning players they felt would
make good team captains in 2018, players that Bush could hold accountable for team activities through the offseason months and the upcoming season. DiPatre’s name was on every list. “Not a single person left him off their ballot. He was unanimous,” Bush said. “It’s pretty special because he could’ve sort of got down on himself after last year’s injury and not cared anymore and taken the easy way out. But he didn’t. He fought back, and he went through everything he needed to get through to DIPATRE, 63
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2017 warren co. stats • Record: 7-5, 4-1 Class 3 Northwestern • Passing leader: Bryce Post (46 for 95, 923 yards, 9 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) • Rushing leader: Ronnie Dodson (278 carries, 1,539 yards, 15 touchdowns)
2018 roster
• Receiving leader: Jacob Good (31 catches, 495 yards, 2 touchdowns) • Total tackles: Josh Edwards (104) • Sacks: Knorr Hunter (4) • Interceptions: Ben Vogt (5)
Warren County Continued from 59
“Year two is a good year to sort of review what we had last year and sort of take away things we don’t need,” Bush said, “and make sure that we simplify it a little bit, that way we can build on top of it with whatever we need.”
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 17 20 21 22 23 24
Name Brandon Mason Brodie Cripps Logan DeHaven Ethan Patterson Marion Haley Russell Rowe Patrick Coffron Thomas Cantrell Ayden Haffer Bryce Post Joey Kilgallen Keegan Brade Karenzo Hogue Dante Lewis Isaiah Frame Ronnie Dodson Elijah Sealock Austin Baugher Logan Burner
Pos. WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB/K WR/DB/K QB/LB RB/DB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB H/LB
Ht. 5-5 6-1 6-2 5-7 6-1 5-10 5-8 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-8 5-9 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-7
Wt. 115 150 170 140 150 185 160 150 140 205 155 175 195 150 155 190 200 145 180
Yr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.
No. 27 30 35 41 50 52 53 54 55 60 63 68/70 71 72 78 80 99
Name Collin Conner Hunter Pratscher Zamari Buchanan Titus Bragg Alex Cockrell Jordan Kenyon Ian Hurdle Aaron Schroyer Danny Bloomfield Jr. Nate Stoneberger Jarod Ebersold Matt Tieche Wesley Merchant Jake DiPatre Ricky Dodson Ty Boyles Knorr Hunter Jr.
Pos. RB/DE WR/DB H/LB WR/DE OL/DT OL/DT OL/LB OL/DE OL/DT OL/DE OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT OL/DT H/DE OL/DT
Ht. 5-9 5-11 5-7 6-0 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-4 6-1 6-0 5-9 5-8 6-0 6-0 6-7 6-1 6-0
Wt. 160 165 170 175 260 185 155 210 215 190 195 225 225 260 320 160 195
Yr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.
One of the team’s strengths, Bush said, should be its offensive line, where two returning starters – 6-foot-7, 320-pound center Ricky Dodson (a second team all-region pick in 2017) and left guard Jake DiPatre – anchor an all-senior unit that includes left tackle Aaron Schroyer, Many of those other major contributors will be right guard Jordan Kenyon and a combination of The Wildcats’ biggest return on offense, however, new to the role. Warren County lost a pair of big- Danny Bloomfield Jr. and Nate Stoneberger at is at running back, where senior Ronnie Dodson play receivers – Jacob Good (964 yards of total right tackle. offense, nine touchdowns in 2017) and Ben Vogt figures to once again be the focal point. Dodson Most of those linemen also will start on the was the team’s workhorse last season, carrying (21 receptions, 664 yards, nine touchdowns) – to other side of the ball on a defensive line filled 278 times for 1,529 yards and 15 touchdowns. graduation, and Bush said a combination of sen- with returning starters. Schroyer, Kenyon and The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior averaged 23.2 iors Ethan Patterson and Brodie Cripps and Stoneberger will bookend the line at the two decarries per game in 2017. sophomores Marion Haley and Logan DeHaven fensive end spots, Bush said, while DiPatre and will fill that position this season. Bush added “Last year he put the weight on his shoulders Knorr Hunter Jr. (87 tackles, team-high four and we were very successful,” Bush said of Dod- that senior Thomas Cantrell is the Wildcats’ new WARREN COUNTY, 63 son, a 2017 first team All-Region 3B selection. starting H-back. Warren County should benefit from a year of growth for sophomore quarterback Bryce Post, who stepped in as the starter two games into the 2017 season and completed 46 of 95 passes (48.4 percent) for 923 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions as a freshman.
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“This year he’s gonna have to do the same thing but we’re gonna have to adapt to how can we get him the ball, and if a team shuts him down we’ve got some other pieces to open up the passing game and the run game as well.”
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Warren County Continued from 62
sacks, first team all-reable to fly around to the gion in 2017) will start at ball a little bit more. We defensive tackle. started to at the end of the year but those guys The Wildcats, who alaren’t there now, so how lowed 18.5 points per can we build on top of game last season and boasted one of the area’s that with those guys best defenses in terms of missing? We need to find a few guys that make yards allowed, are less sure that we do that.” experienced beyond the defensive line.
DeHaven is the Wildcats’ Warren County lost six of only returning starter in the five-man secondary, its top seven tacklers where he’ll be joined by from 2017, including its two starting linebackers Patterson, Haley, Cripps in its 4-2-5 defense, Josh and juniors Joey Kilgallen and Isaiah Frame. Edwards (104 tackles) and Jacob Dodson (86 Warren County also has tackles). Juniors Russell to find a new kicker and Rowe and Patrick Coffron punter after the graduawill step in as that duo’s tion of all-region kicker/ replacements, Bush said. punter Stuart Ashley, and “Those two (Edwards and Bush said Kilgallen and senior Keegan Brade Dodson) were nasty on the defensive side, so how were “battling back and forth” for those roles durcan we be that nasty on ing the preseason. the defensive side this year?” Bush responded when asked about the team’s biggest areas of improvement on Aug. 7. “That’s one thing we need to improve on is being
The Wildcats, who went 4-1 in Class 3 Northwestern District play in 2017, open the season on Aug. 25 (a Saturday) at Handley.
WARREN COUNTY WILDCATS
DiPatre Continued from 61
sort of get to where he is now. And right now he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in because he put forth that effort.”
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‘hey, let me see your potential, let me see this come out of you’ or ‘let me see that dog come out of you.’ Well, you don’t have to ask Jake. It’s automatically there and when that ball’s snapped, he goes, his motor gets going, and he’s hard to handle.”
DiPatre said he’s working on becoming more technique-driven from his defensive tackle Asked what it is about DiPatre that made the position, as he’s trying to use his hands more Wildcats feel so strongly about his leadership frequently to shed blocks rather than relying qualities, Dodson replied, “He’s a big, scary on brute force on a straight bull rush. guy.” He brings that same physicality to the offen“I mean everyone looks up to him,” Dodson sive side of the ball, though the Wildcats have said. “He’s the captain out there, always talk- experimented using DiPatre in a more speing, always yelling. I still tell people what to cialized role as the team’s H-back in preseado here and there, but he’s always yelling, son practice. telling people what to do, this and that, always on people’s cases. He’s a big help to the Bush said in early August that using DiPatre at H-back was something the Wildcats were team.” simply “playing with,” though the senior The responsibilities that come with the capshowed he possesses the athleticism to play tain status are not lost on DiPatre, who said the position over the summer during 7-on-7 he still attended every practice when his competition, a format devoid of linemen. rehab schedule allowed and “talked up” the “This summer at 7-on-7s he always wanted to offensive line during games last season. show up and go, so we put him at middle linebacker, and we always put him at our Z, or “In that role I’ve gotta be here every day to lead the team,” he said, “and I’ve gotta be the slot receiver, and just let him play,” Bush said. one stepping up to tell them like ‘let’s go, hus- “So we were able to evaluate how good of an athlete he was this summer. But it’s always tle on and off the field,’ and just show them how the new Warren County culture is gonna fun to see him rolling around. He goes 100 miles per hour, no matter what.” be and leave something behind for them.” DiPatre has already proven to be a good role Regardless of what his role ends up being this season, DiPatre simply hopes he’s on the model through his actions on the field, and field for its entirety. Bush said the senior possesses the attitude that’s required to thrive in the trenches along “Everybody on the team, they all want the the offensive and defensive lines. ring season. That’s what they all want,” he “He has that mentality that you can’t coach, said. “But personal goals is just a healthy seathat you can’t teach,” Bush said. “As a coach, son, getting through and going as far as we you always get on guys for effort and guys for can.”
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RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY YELLOW JACKETS
Yellow Jackets’ Liu ready to lead way Tommy Keeler Jr. tkeeler@nvdaily.com
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had to limit how much Liu could be in the weight room.
“He really became interested in the weight room to a point where he was lifting too much,” Sullivan said. “We had to tell people don’t let Frank (Liu) in the weight room on the weekends when it’s an open gym. He was in a (Physical Education) class lifting weights. Liu, who is from Xian, China, said He was after school lifting he tried out for football his sophoweights. So he was interested in more season and quickly realized getting better and that’s helped he had a lot to learn. him sort of find his niche.” “I didn’t understand anything,” With the success he’s had in the Liu said. “It was mostly about the weight room, Sullivan said that plays, the blocks, the terminology.” he’s seen Liu’s confidence grow Liu, an offensive and defensive and he’s become a leader on the lineman, said he didn’t play much team. Rich Cooley/Daily his sophomore season, a year Randolph Macon Academy’s Yiming Liu stretches with his This season the Yellow Jackets which saw the Yellow Jackets just teammates at the start of their recent practice. Liu is the only have another offensive lineman miss making the postseason. from China, Binglong Lei, and Liu returning starter on the offensive line for the Yellow Jackets. In the following offseason, Liu dis- said he’s enjoyed trying to help Sullivan said Liu, who is the only everyone’s listening. That doesn’t covered something that would Lei learn the game. returning starter on R-MA’s offen- happen a lot but he usually has prove to be very important to his “It feels good because I actually sive line, is a great leader for the something meaningful or helpful success - the weight room. to give to his teammates.” team. learn more when I tell him what FRONT ROYAL - Two years ago Yiming Liu didn’t know very much about football. Now as he starts his senior season at Randolph-Macon Academy, he is one of the team’s most experienced players.
R-MA head coach Frank Sullivan said that Liu, who goes by the nickname of Frank, was so dedicated to getting better that they
to do,” Liu said. “I might not know something while trying to teach him and then I learn about it as well.”
“Everyone likes him,” Sullivan Liu said he doesn’t mind that ofsaid. “He’s a quiet leader. He’s sort fensive linemen don’t get a lot of of like the old EF Hutton commerLIU, 66 cial when Frank (Liu) speaks
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RANDOLPH-MACON ACADEMY YELLOW JACKETS/FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
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2018 sChedule Sept. 1
Massanutten Military Academy, 11 a.m.
Oct. 5
Hargrave Military Academy, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15 Christchurch School, 2 p.m.
Oct. 13
Blue Ridge School, 2 p.m.
Oct. 19
at Fuqua School, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Fishburne Military School, 4 p.m.
Nov. 2
at Fredericksburg Christian School, 6 p.m.
Liu Continued from 65
attention or praise. Liu said he enjoys playing the position, but one part stands out as his favorite feeling of being a lineman: “When a running back goes through your block and maybe gets a touchdown that really feels good,” Liu said. Liu said it feels different this year being a senior on the team.
The Northern Virginia Daily & The Winchester Star
VALLEY 10 The sports staffs of the Northern Virginia Daily, The Winchester Star and the Warren Sentinel collaborated to create a football top 10 for the schools in the area. Each staffer voted, with 10 points being awarded to the top-ranked team, nine to the No. 2 team and so on. First-place votes are in parentheses.
School Name
Record
Last Week
1. Sherando (5)
0-0
—
The Warriors are coming off of a run to the Class 4 state semifinals last season. They start this season off at rival James Wood.
2. Millbrook
0-0
—
The Pioneers went 9-2 last year, losing in the second round of the playoffs to Sherando. Millbrook hosts Jefferson on Friday.
“I feel responsible sometimes for everyone to get better,” Liu said. He started last year on the offensive line and played sparingly on the defensive line. This year Sullivan said he expects Liu to start both ways and be a key component to both the offensive and defensive lines.
3. Central
Liu said he’s really enjoyed his time at R-MA and playing football. He said there are many differences between living in China and America, especially with the schools.
4. Clarke County
“They have different sports,” Liu said. “In China, I think we focus more on study. Most of my friends from China were taking exams to get into college while I was back in China (this summer).” Last year the Yellow Jackets struggled to a 2-7 record and lost a lot of players from last year’s squad to graduation. Sullivan said that he had 18 players out for the first week of practice, but he was expecting more to arrive before school starts on Aug. 26. Sullivan said he feels good about this year’s team. “I think it’s going to be a good team,” Sullivan said. “We have a lot of growing to do. Kids have changed positions, but their attitudes have been fantastic and they’re not getting down on theirselves. So that’s been a positive.”
2017 Results (2-7, 2-2 PatRiot ConfeRenCe) Sept. 1 beat Massanutten Military Academy, 50-28 Sept. 9 lost to St. Anne’s Bellfield, 66-26 Sept. 16 lost to Christchurch School, 47-7 Sept. 23 lost to Hargrave Military Academy, 28-16 Sept. 29 beat Fishburne
Military School, 54-20 Oct. 7 lost to Fredericksburg Christian School, 36-20 Oct. 14 lost to Blue Ridge School, 47-0 Oct. 28 lost to Norfolk Christian School, 42-0 Nov. 3 lost to Covenant School, 57-20
0-0
—
The Falcons made program history last year by going undefated in the regular season. Central plays at Skyline on Friday.
0-0
—
Clarke finished second in the Bull Run District last year. The Eagles will look to reload without all-state lineman Bryan Wallace.
5. Warren County
0-0
—
The Wildcats advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season. Senior RB Ronnie Dodson returns to try to lead the way.
6. Handley
0-0
—
The Judges went 4-6 last year and are now led by first-year head coach Dan Jones. Handley hosts Warren County on Saturday.
7. Strasburg
0-0
—
The Rams have 38 players on this year’s squad, the most in quite some time. Strasburg made the playoffs and went 5-6 last year.
8. James Wood
0-0
—
The Colonels went 2-8 last season. Head coach Ryan Morgan will try to get the program to make strides in his second year.
9. Skyline
0-0
—
The Hawks are coming off a 4-7 season and lost a lot of skill players to graduation. The Hawks host Central in the season-opener.
10. Stonewall Jackson
0-0
—
The Generals are searching for their first win in a few years and are once again running the triple option.
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Newman Continued from 18
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
that role and would have helped us some. This year with an inexperienced line we need quick hitters and he’s the perfect solution to that.”
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steam ahead. When one watches his highlight video, the thing that sticks out is how quick he makes a decision and attacks.
guides me through life.” “With his drive to go to the next level, he wants to be successful in the classroom,” Jones said. “Football just gives him the extra spark to get there.”
“He’s full speed,” Jones said. “Most of the time he goes right, but even when he makes a mistake he goes There’s no doubt Newman loves full speed and good things happen the game and his teammates. for him. … He’s fearless. I don’t “We put him there because of his “I’m doing great,” he said. “It’s not strength,” Jones said. “He worked care if a kid in front of him is 6-6, And Newman is as motivated as only what I’m doing, but my team280. He’ll do his job the best that ever to test his limits and improve. hard in the weight room. His squat mates just give me that vibe to he can. He’s not afraid for a chaland his bench increased. His size where I’m alive and I feel better He’s not resting on the laurels lenge.” is the perfect build for a fullback. than ever.” from big hits and the plays that Newman is hoping his play will He’s not afraid of contact. He doesmake up his highlight video on And Jones is happy Newman is land him a chance to play in colHudl. He’s focusing on the ones he n’t care if he gets the ball, but he’s there playing at full speed and lege. Some programs have shown going to be our workhorse. didn’t make. helping to lead the squad. interest in him at linebacker. “If he can handle it, he can carry “I don’t think about the good ones,” “They respond because like I said the ball 20 or 25 times. He’s going “I love hitting people,” Newman Newman said. “I think about, he leads by example, so they know said. “It gives me a spark. … It all to be our base, meaning they are ‘What if I don’t do what I did last he’s one of those kids they can folstarts with the mindset. Once we year?’ It’s weird, but when I think going to have to stop him first.” low,” Jones said. “He’s not afraid to get between those lines, it’s on negative about myself it pushes get in their face. I won’t say they’re Newman can’t wait to tote the rock. like no friends or nothing.” me to be better.” afraid of him, but they respect “I’m glad I’m getting the ball,” he And football provides a spark on him. He is just … I won’t say the “He’s more nervous to fail than he said. “If anybody is in my way, it’s the field and in the classroom. perfect guy, but he is. He’s that kid is to be successful,” Jones said. shoulder to their chest.” you love to have. He’s the quarter“Football motivates me,” he said. “That’s what he has - that internal The same goes for blocking. One of “The decisions I make, I think of back on the defense and kids will drive. In track you saw he was out his Hudl highlights from last year football and that helps me out and follow him wherever he goes.” there working longer than anyshows him knocking a defender body else. With football, he’s the from the goal line about eight first one here and the last one to yards deep into the end zone. leave. He just has all of it right now. He’s a great kid to have in Imoh, who rushed for 577 yards Family Owned and your program.” and six touchdowns last season, is looking forward to have Newman Newman’s drive is not lost on his Family Friendly lined up in front of him. teammates. Recently Remodeled • Relaxing Salon “It’s extremely important because “Every play, Quinton always goes Full Service Men, hard,” running back Malachi Imoh with all the plays that we design, Women and Children said. “He definitely takes charge of the fullback is the one person they the huddle and stuff. He’s someone have [in them],” he said. “If the that you can always count on to do fullback is able to do his job, then his job and help get others in their it makes my job easier.” right positions. It’s just great hav- Newman looks forward to being on ing him in front of you every single the field, no matter where Jones play as fullback.” and his staff decide to play him. Playing more fullback with be “To me it doesn’t really matter,” he something new for Newman this said of his favorite position. “I just season. Last season, he saw limwant to play football.” ited action at that position, most often serving as a blocker. He car- He says his success thus far is based on study and natural ability. ried the ball just five times for 17 “To be honest with you, it’s a little yards. 1855 Senseny Rd. at Country Park Plaza • (540) 662-5992 “Last year, we didn’t use him very bit of both,” Newman said. “I try to watch film here and there when I Tues. - Thurs. 10-5 • Fri. 10-3 • Sat. 9-3 • Later hours by appointment much because we were trying to have time, but I’m an athlete so a save him for defense,” Jones said. www.TheRightCutSalon.com “We were trying our best to do two little bit is instinct.” hyped. I just try to get everybody to do more weight because everybody tries to lift lighter weight. I try to push everybody to their limits.”
Jones expects Newman to surpass last season’s rushing numbers in each game.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
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Evosirch Continued from 32
After doing some research and talking to his pediatrician, the Evosirches took Gavin to see a doctor at Georgetown University Hospital for another opinion. Blount’s Disease can be caused by malnutrition, and they didn’t think that was an issue.
lot of people in Winchester and Frederick County, and Pennsylvania [where Tom and Susan are origThe doctor at Georgetown agreed. inally from] were praying for that He asked if Gavin had a traumatic baby. We were very blessed.” birth. They said yes and described Gavin hasn’t had a seizure since his what happened. The doctor said the clot dissolved. But not long after the unusual circumstances of Gavin’s Evosirches received the good news birth - for example, being deprived about the blood clot, they had a difof oxygen - could have caused ferent reason to worry. Gavin’s bowed legs, and he did not Gavin started walking when he was think Gavin had Blount’s Disease. nine months old, and anyone who He believed the legs would saw him walking in the family’s straighten out on their own. yard couldn’t help but notice how By the age of 3, Gavin’s legs did just dramatically his legs were bowed. that. (Gavin was given shoes at“Our friends would laugh and say, tached together with a metal bar to ‘it looks like he’s been riding a horse wear at night while he slept as a for a month,’” Susan said. way for the Evosirches to take an active role in the straightening Susan said she and her husband thought that maybe the reason Gavin process. But Susan said the doctor was bow-legged was because he was didn’t think the shoes would play much of a role in correcting his legs. walking so early. But as he continGavin would kick them off during ued to “wobble” rather than walk normally with his bowed legs, Gavin’s the night anyway.) babysitter suggested to Susan when All that matters is that Gavin hasn’t he was about 1-year-old that the had anything holding him back Evosirches have Gavin examined. physically over the last 13-plus years. The first physician they saw in Win- “Anytime he does anything on the chester referred them to a facility in field, I’m very thankful he’s even able Loudoun County. The Loudoun to play any sport at all,” Susan said. physician they saw believed And he’s certainly done a lot on the Evosirch had Blount’s Disease, a football field since he’s arrived at growth disorder that affects the Millbrook. bones of the lower legs, causing them to bow outward. Another doc- Most freshman never even get considered for varsity football, but tor in the same practice also beEvosirch was thrust in at linelieved it was Blount’s Disease. backer for a team that went 10-2 (a The reason why that diagnosis was school-record win total) and made so concerning was that in order to the second round of the playoffs. rid Evosirch of his bowed legs, doctors would eventually have to break “That experience helped,” Evosirch said. “I learned by watching the his legs and reset them. And while older players, and used what I doing that would straighten them, the procedure might have put limits learned to try and get better.” on the types of activities that Gavin As a sophomore, area football fans could do when he became older, in- learned what Evosirch could do cluding playing organized sports. with the ball in his hands. “He would look good, and he would walk straight, but he might not be able to do the things that a normal, typical child could do,” Susan said.
His first few games were particularly eye-opening - 127 total yards (72 receiving) and three TDs (all 20 yards or more) against Jefferson
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(W.Va.); 130 total yards (104 rushing) with a 63-yard TD run and 25yard fumble return TD against Loudoun County; and 103 rushing yards, including a 71-yard TD against Washington (W.Va.).
turn and could not return. Haymore kept Evosirch at running back for the first possession after the kickoff, but on the possession after that, he decided to play him at quarterback.
In the Region 4C semifinals against Sherando most of Evosirch’s rushing yardage came from his slot running back position, but 50 of his 105 rushing yards came from an unlikely position - quarterback. Evosirch played quarterback in eighth grade, but during his sophomore year, it wasn’t a position that Millbrook asked him to focus on.
brook’s playbook to prepare.
Evosirch directed Millbrook to a 71The 71-yarder was breathtaking to yard TD drive on his first possession watch - and for Evosirch to execute. - he had a 37-yard pass and rushed With the ball on the left hashmark for 34 yards, including a four-yard TD - to close the Pioneers’ deficit to and Evosirch in the left slot, he 35-32 (Evosirch also had the twowent in motion to the right and took point run). When Millbrook next got a shotgun snap from quarterback the ball back, he led a 41-yard drive Isaac Brown. to Sherando’s 26 as the clock apEvosirch ran all the way to the right proached the one-minute mark. sideline - breaking two tackles But under pressure, Evosirch’s along the way - before cutting back third-and-9 pass sailed too far down at the Millbrook 40. He then made the right seam, and he was interhis way diagonally back to the left - cepted in the end zone to seal the making two players miss - before win for the Warriors. running outside the “30” painted on Given his lack of experience, Evosirch the field on the left side. really couldn’t be faulted on that He cut back to the middle and went play. It’s still on his mind though. inside the left hash marks around “When I look at film, I think about the 15, then made one more cutback what I could have done different,” to the left to make another defender Evosirch said. miss en route to the TD. Haymore gives him credit for step“The play lasted 27 seconds, and ping up when the team needed him. you could see he was dead at the “He did an awesome job,” Haymore end of it,” Haymore said of the run said. “He did what he needed to do against Washington. “But him and and put us in a position to win the [Millbrook wide receiver/running back] Savon [Smith] have that abil- game. He ran the offense with reity. They have great vision. They’re verses, he ran the sweeps, he got going to find ways to make you miss everybody lined up. Even though we lost, it was very encouraging to see all over the field.” that, because then we knew we had Evosirch continued to produce at a a special kid who could play quarhigh level over the remainder of the terback.” year. On defense, he switched from As of Aug. 10, Haymore had yet to linebacker to safety early in the seadecide on his plans at quarterback son and ended the year with 42 for this season. Evosirch is one of tackles. On offense, he finished with four candidates to play at the posi872 yards and nine touchdowns tion, and he says he’s spent a lot of combined rushing and receiving. time studying the nuances of Mill-
Brown was injured with 2:40 to go in the third quarter on a kickoff re-
“I’ve worked at knowing the formations more, knowing where other people need to go, and helping others when they don’t know what to do,” Evosirch said. Evosirch’s philosophy is “I play wherever they need me to play” and he showed that last year by moving from linebacker to safety after four EVOSIRCH, 69
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Evosirch Continued from 68
games. Evosirch is glad that happened because he finds safety more enjoyable. Haymore can tell. “He has great vision of where the ball should go, and he does a good job communicating and making sure everybody’s lined up right,” Haymore said. “He comes downhill, too. He’s a headhunter on defense. He can come and get it. If I was going to say he was going to college and play something, I’d say he’d probably play safety.” No matter what Evosirch does this year, he knows he’ll have people in the stands cheering his every move. Gavin said he started playing flag football at 8 and tackle football at 9, and he never had to look far for inspiration in the sport. “I just wanted to be like my dad,” Gavin said.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
Tom Evosirch played quarterback at NCAA Division II Clarion University in Pennsylvania. And since Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn opened in 2000, he’s served as the school’s freshman football coach. “Every time we sit down and watch film together, he’ll tell me something I can do different, and I try it and it works a lot better,” said Gavin, who wears uniform No. 18, the same number his dad wore. Those sitdowns are another example of Gavin not taking anything for granted when it comes to football. Susan said ever since Little League, Gavin has written “All Glory 2 God” on the tape that he wraps around his wrists. “We never told him to do it,” Susan said. “We’ve just taught our three sons to always be thankful for what they have, and I always want Gavin to remember that he’s been truly blessed. Just him to be able to do anything at all out there is amazing.”
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Crowder
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018
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so he’s getting up there.”
biggest city, but you can [succeed],” Crowder said. “You’ve just got to go out there and put your heart in it. It Continued from 24 would be so amazing to play at any college. It doesn’t matter if it’s DiviCrowder also will see time playing on the whole kickoff return team, sion I or junior college. Anywhere I on defense. He’s moving to free just trusting they are going to get “I’ve gotten way aggressive [instead have the opportunity to go I’m going safety after having previously the blocks,” Crowder said of his suc- of] not waiting and bouncing everyto take.” played at outside linebacker and decess on returns. “And then when I thing outside,” Crowder said. “I fensive back. see that daylight, I know that it’s Crowder says he loves playing the can’t bounce everything outside. It good and I’m going to hit it.” game with his “brothers” and it’s might not be there right away, but “He has the physical skill to play very obvious that he has endeared when it comes you have got to go.” different positions and he has got That kind of speed in the open field himself to his teammates and oththe makeup speed that even if he makes the opposition nervous. And And his teammates are confident takes a wrong step he can catch up ers. when Crowder was in the backfield Crowder will make an impact. to people,” Morgan said. last fall, teams took notice. “He’s kind of a goofy guy, but you’ve Offensive lineman Luke Roy com“You can tell when he is not in the “He can definitely help us speedgot to love him, though,” Roy said pares Crowder to a previous standgame or not available for a game … out in the Colonels backfield. wise now that he’s at free safety,” with a chuckle. “He always hard workthat the defense is concentrating on said Roy, who also plays defensive ing. He’s going to put in the work and “It’s very nice knowing that you him,” Morgan said. “When he goes end. “He can definitely help back every time you ask him to do somehave that guy there all of the time,” in motion or when he’s on one side there getting back, getting up and thing, he’s going to do it for sure. of the field, teams have to see that. Roy said. “I played with Tyler making hits. He’s an all-around “He’s a confident kid, but he’s very Bishop and he was phenomenal, He’s the fastest player who has threatening guy.” humble,” added Morgan. “He doesn’t too. You give him the ball and he’s been at James Wood during my Crowder also has high hopes of talk about himself. He’s very thankgoing to work it and make it haptime here. Once he gets out in the playing football in college. Accordpen. The same thing with Will he’s ful to his teammates and his teamopen field, not many teams - if any ing to Morgan, college teams are going to make it happen when you mates look out for him. A lot of people teams - have a chance to catch him, showing interest. need it to happen.” at school look out for him because so they have to know where he is.” he’s such a nice kid and tries to do “It would be amazing to show peoAnd Crowder is not the only option And Crowder is only getting faster his best. Everybody is rooting for him.” ple that you may not live in the for Morgan. Jackson Turner, Sam and stronger. Adkins and Luke Esparza also had Running throughout the spring is carries last season as sophomores. bearing fruit. “Track has helped me a lot,” Crowder “He’s not the only good athlete we said. “I’ve gotten way faster. My fresh- have,” Morgan said. “He’s one of the man year I was running like 11.4 and fastest - if not the fastest - guys in the area so he gets a lot of attennow I’m down to 11.2s and 11.1s.” at Regular Price tion. There were times last year And his time in the weight room is where we were playing with four paying off, too. sophomores in the backfield. … You wouldn’t know it from his 5They’re maturing and getting faster foot-10, 190-pound frame, but Crow- and stronger, too.” der is one of the strongest players With multiple weapons, Morgan is on the Colonels, proving it before hoping to possible change some hispractice opened. tory. And Crowder knows that strength will help him between the tackles where his speed doesn’t have as significant an impact.
kick returns, punt returns and help my team to the best of my ability. My goal is to make it to the playoffs and keep going.”
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“He works hard in the weight room and he’s physically stronger than he had been,” Morgan said. “He deadlifted 480 pounds which is the most on the team. … His body is kind of filling out a little bit. He’s not adding a lot of weight, but he’s getting stronger. I think when he’s out there running the ball, he’s a little more likely to pound it inside. When he was a freshman and sophomore, he was strong for his age but not necessarily when compared to everybody else. We’ve got some big guys who can’t deadlift 480 pounds,
“Usually, James Wood’s offense for the most part over the years has been kind of a plodding, dink-and dunk with some occasional big plays,” he said. “It’s a little bit different for us with teams having to respect our speed.” Crowder certainly has big goals for the fall. “I expect to have a lot carries,” he said. “I’m trying to set a goal of at least having 100 yards a game. I want to have a lot of helmet stickers, pancake blocks, interceptions,
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those guys be great.”
Corbit Continued from 36
lineup as a junior. In addition to earning first-team all-region honors, Corbit was one of only two offensive linemen in the district to be selected to the first team, the other being Liberty’s Julian Sams, now at NCAA Division I Kent State. “A big thing with O-Line is just being athletic and critiquing every single thing,” Corbit said. “Your hands, your feet, how smart you are. A lot of it was just coming out here every single day and just trying to get better with it. If it was something with my feet, make my feet quicker, it if was something with my hands, work on my hand placement. “Every little thing I made sure I critiqued in order to be good, to help [quarterback] Hunter [Entsminger], to help [running back T.J.] Washington, to help [wide receiver] Aaron Banks [now at Richmond], to help all
The statistics certainly demonstrated just how special Sherando’s offense was. The Warriors averaged 41.1 points and 391.8 yards per game. Corbit was part of a balanced offense that averaged 203.3 passing yards and 188.5 rushing yards per game.
memory down of certain things I want to do. Anticipate what the guys are going to do, and then just going off of that.” Entsminger expects big things from Corbit this year based on the effort he puts in.
“He’s one of the hardest workers,” Entsminger said. “He’s gifted physically. His “He’s got great feet, so he can move well to arms are just enormous. And that’s not just keep himself in position from a pass-blocking from genetics. His dad’s a big dude, but Nick perspective,” Hall said. “And from a physical practically lives in the weight room. His perspective, he’s one of the strongest kids on work ethic is unlike anyone else’s.” the team. He’s a road-grader on offense. He Corbit is looking forward to helping can really move people.” Sherando take another step forward after After adding 20 pounds, Corbit might be sending some of those people he comes up against to the ground. The important thing for Corbit is that he not only got heavier and stronger, but also faster, which he hopes will help him improve on defense. Corbit had 30 tackles (5.5 for loss) last year. “I’m really happy with my speed, and also my hands,” Corbit said. “Getting the guys’ hands away from me, getting the muscle
the Warriors lost in the Class 4 state semifinals last year. “We’re just going to bring it [to opponents] and give 100 percent, just like they’re going to give to us,” Corbit said. “We’ve been working out here just like they are. We’re trying to put the work in just like every other team in Virginia. We’re just going to try and do the little things that are going to separate us from them.”
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