Scrimmage Play- September 2012

47 20 QUESTIONS FOR FALL SPORTS

11 THE ALL-SP END OF YEAR TEAMS

scr覺mmageplay THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA SPORTS AUTHORITY

The Unsung Offense always gets the love.

Defense gets the job done.

PAGE 27

VOL 4 . ISSUE 1 :: SEPT. 2012

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vol 4 . issue 1 :: sept. 2012

The Unsung

LANDING THE GIG Former Fluco now at USC-Upstate

ALL-SP END OF YEAR AWARDS Putting a bow on 2011-2012

27

READ, REACT, EXPLODE, FINISH SP’s 2012 football preview

47

20 QUESTIONS Breaking down the fall slate

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GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS Covenant soccer regroups

VOL 4 . ISSUE 1 :: SEPTEMBER 2012

07

11 The all-sp enD Of year Teams

Offense always gets the love.

Defense gets the job done. page 27

S TA F F Bart Isley, Creative Director Bob Isley, Infrastructure Director Ryan Yemen, Creative Editor Journey Group, Art Direction O N T H E COV E R Woodberry Forest’s Doug Randolph, Goochland’s Nathan Adams, Albemarle’s Ryan Londree, Monticello’s T.J. Tillery M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T Local sports are the lifeblood of every community in America, and we’re here to reach beyond the basics and give compelling accounts about Central Virginia athletes to our readers.

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PREGAME

Handing it over

It was the first handoff of the season from quarterback Austin Foster to tailback Jovan Burton on what appeared to be a typical off tackle play by Fluvanna County. It turned into anything but typical as Burton raced 80 yards for a touchdown to jumpstart the Flucos’ football season in the squad’s opening scrimmage with Fort Defiance. Check out our football preview starting on page 27 to get a look at how Fluvanna plans to build on that promise . ✖ (Photo by Bart Isley)

PREGAME

Pushing through

Tyler Vest has to do a little bit of everything for Nelson County, playing both quarterback and free safety for the Group A Governors. But Vest is at his best when he’s creating on the run, as he is here in Nelson’s first scrimmage of 2012 against Buffalo Gap at home. Vest, now a senior, leads a Governors squad trying to build on some late momentum in 2011. Read about Nelson’s outlook on page 39. ✖ (Photo by Bart Isley)

See a photograph you like?

Defensive stand Warriors goalie has more than one trick | By Ryan Yemen

At Scrimmage Play we pride our selves on offering the best possible graphics Two years ago the Western Albemarle boys to Shin, who doubles as a Junior National Judo we can get our hands on, in both our soccer team was fueled by its underclassmen medalist, but has developed into one of the with sophomores and bearing the website area’s most magazine asfreshman well as at our atversatile goalkeepers. brunt of the work load.

Now two years later, forwards Aaron Myers and Alex Nolet, as well as senior defender Tom Rogers are all in their senior seasons and looking to earn a Region II bid, something that Orange County snatched away from them in the Jefferson District semifinals last season.

After the first month of play, the Warriors seem to have the defensive side of the equation figured out and junior goalkeeper Kai Shin is a big part of that.

Before Western went on its spring break, none of its four opponents were able to score more than once, a testament to the team’s play in the middle of the field, but also a nod

The netminder has shown he’s capable of

www.scrimmageplay.com making big saves, particularly in the team’s

two ties. In the first game of the season, Shin endured wave after wave of Albemarle attack, but stood tall and showed no rust in the 1-1- tie.

But while Shin’s on the field because he can make stops, his strong leg has also been of great use as he’s able to easily clear the zone but also spark fast breaks all by himself.

The Warriors averaged a little over two goals per contest before the break, but if that average starts to increase, don’t be surprised if it’s because of Shin’s ability to contribute to the transition game. ✖

We want to make sure that our readers have the same opportunity to have these photos. If something catches your eye in either the magazine or on the web, you can order the photograph for yourself.

Whether it’s a 4x6 glossy print or a 13x11 mounted photo, we’ve got a full range of possibilities for you to choose from.

Simply visit our smugmug website at

scrimmageplay.smugmug.com Covenant 1/2 page

Western Albemarle’s Kai Shin hauls in a shot during his team’s 1-1 tie with Albemarle that kicked off the soccer season for both squads. (Frank Crocker)

First Quarter Landing the gig Former Fluco goes from player to coach

By Bart Isley

D

Fluvanna graduate Danielle Dike didn’t waste time jumping into the job market. (GT Sports Information)

{ BRINGING THEM HOME } Dike’s had 56 RBI during her four years at Georgia Tech

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9 Senior Junior Sophomore Freshman

07 :: scrimmageplay

K AR A EL DER

{ RBI }

anielle Dike headed to Christopher Newport University in Newport News the summer after her junior year at Georgia Tech to work at a softball camp. The camp administrators gave the Fluvanna County product her own team to manage throughout camp.

“I got to basically coach my own team, I loved it and I had a blast,” Dike said. “I came back and I was just glowing.”

She was hooked.

“I knew that was my love and that’s what I wanted to do.”

Dike was a former all-state standout at Fluvanna who went on to a successful career as a third baseman, outfielder and pinch hitter with the Yellow Jackets. During her senior year in Atlanta, she went to work applying for collegiate coaching jobs. She landed a spot as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina-Upstate near Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Division I program spent some time ranked in the Top 25 nationally last year, eventually getting knocked out in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament. The Spartans finished 39-13 on the year.

Getting a chance to be a Division I assistant straight out of school was a fantastic opportunity for Dike.

“Nobody knows who they are, but they’ve got a great program,” Dike said. “I came on my interview and saw they had great facilities and great coaches.”

USC-Upstate’s staff obviously liked what they saw in Dike too, who went to the NCAA regionals four times in her career at Georgia Tech and the super-regional once. As a senior she hit .273 with six doubles, a pair of home runs and 17 RBI. While she was primarily a third baseman at Georgia Tech, she’ll handle the outfield at USC-Upstate and help out with hitting. Jumping into coaching has helped Dike translate her excitement about a stellar

career at Georgia Tech into enthusiasm about coaching and helping take USC-Upstate to the next level.

“Obviously when you have that first shock that you’re never going to play again, you don’t want to think about it,” Dike said. “But I got a great education and I learned so much from (Georgia Tech head coach) Sharon Perkins — I’m really happy with what I did there.

I want to share my experiences with (the Spartans’ squad), I want them to experience what I experienced.”

As part of NCAA regulations, Dike can’t do off campus recruiting — only three coaches on staff can handle that at a time, though she can help with on-campus efforts. Instead, she’s learning a lot of the ins and outs of running the day-to-day operations of a program.

“I’m doing hotels and buses and food for our trips and getting that done and out of the way for the season,” Dike said. “I handle day-to-day things and I’m there to help out in any way.”

That logistical experience should prove invaluable as she progresses in her coaching career. But for now, Dike is right where she wants to be.

“I knew when I walked on campus — it was sort of like Georgia Tech — that this is where I needed to be,” Dike said. ✖

go online »

For more college updates, check out SP’s blog over at: www.scrimmageplay.com/blog

INSURANCE CLAIM SPECIALISTS

College update National squat record holder and Western alum heads to HSC

By Bart Isley Zack Robb made a name for himself last year as a two-way standout lineman for Western Albemarle, earning first team All-Scrimmage Play honors as a center. He was also a defensman for the Warriors’ lacrosse team.

Robb was most accomplished, however, during his high school career, as a weight lifter. In August of 2011, Robb posted a national record in his 100-kilogram weight class for his age group for the squat, hoisting 440.75 pounds at a national meet in Scranton, Pa. He also pulled 248 pounds in the bench press and 462.75 pounds in the deadlift, both meet records in the age group/weight class.

Robb’s uncle, Mark Robb, was a national champion in weightlifting, before Zack got involved with the sport.

“I went to one his meets and I found that it was really cool,” Zack Robb said. “I picked up a knack for it and I just trained hard from there.”

In competition weightlifting, bench, deadlift and squat are the main lifts, but a competitor train everything to build up to those lifts. Robb’s strength was a hallmark of his game and a big reason why he could play both

ways in the trenches with very little break.

Robb is used to working with a unit, be it his offensive linemates or the other close defenders during lacrosse. Weightlifting puts the pressure on a single individual, lifting, with proper form, on a platform in front of judges.

“It’s definitely different because there’s no one to really rely on,” Robb said. “But you just have to go into it with a positive mindset and do the best you can.”

While some health issues prevented Robb from training for the national competition again this year, before they cropped up he was on pace to deadlift and squat nearly 500 pounds and bench somewhere around 275.

Now he’s headed to Hampden Sydney to play football for the Division III Tigers — part of a bumper crop of Central Virginia standouts headed to Farmville. He’ll join Albemarle product Lee Carneal, STAB alums McCoy Forbes and Antione Currie, Robb’s prep teammate Austin Ellis and Fork Union’s Kordell Strauss.

Rob’s strength and experience in weight training should help him make an early impact at Hampden Sydney. ✖

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On the Sidelines

Keep it simple When it comes to celebrating, do less of it

Y

ou know I never really thought much of anything about fencing until I watched it during Olympics this summer. It took maybe three minutes before I hated it and all over something that has nothing to do with the sport. Why, after every single point, was it necessary for one of the competitors to fist pump and scream at the top of their lungs.?So then I watched some tennis, more of the same. Over to soccer, and this should not have surprised me at all, but again more of the same. For just once, would it be so hard for the current crop of athletes to, for a lack of a better term, “act like you’ve been there before.” In today’s environment, if you can forgo a celebration you’d come off as cold-blooded.

For years I thought that football players at the high school and collegiate level were taken to task as no other sport hands out penalties for an expression that has no real effect on the game. But given what goes on in so many other sports, it’s a rule that’s starting to win me over. Run into the endzone, flip the ball to the official and get back to the bench. That’s the way it should be, because lets be honest, if there’s one thing that we can all agree on its that no matter what just occurred in a game, the odds are good it wasn’t the amazing thing to ever happen. ESPN has a new top-10 every night, a new set of web gems and each one is supposedly better than its predecessor.

I don’t understand this psyche in sports where everything that is current has to argued for being the greatest of all time. Why is there such a rush to coronation? What’s the harm in waiting just a little bit before making definitive statements. I don’t know if Usain Bolt is the greatest runner of all time. Can’t we just settle for the greatest runner currently and come back to it when its not so subjective?

This gets me back to my greater point about celebration within the game. There’s this strange desire by all parties involved, and as members of the media — there’s no doubt we’re guilty of this too — to force more drama into a situation than there actually is. Not every play is huge, not every point is critical and so on.

The sporting stage is so comepletly diluted with celebration that its hard to decipher sometimes just how genuine the emotion is. I’m going to pick on volleyball here for a bit, but all sports apply. Can someone explain to me why each and every single point finishes with a celebration and supportive huddle? I’m guessing the motivation behind it is that you’ve got to move from point to point and keep your head up in a game that outdoes basketball in terms of momentum. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pick your moments, does it?. I mean it’s to the point now that if you show me a volleyball team that doesn’t put on a spectacle after a point it would be down right intimidating. What would you make of a squad that appears joyless while its putting on a rout? Exactly. If there’s one thing we need more of it’s those autonmous machine-like teams. Anybody that goes about their business, nothing more, nothing less, is doing it right in my book.

It’s hard to hate any team or athlete playing at an elite level that acts like there’s nothing unusual or unique about winning. Last winter Orange wrestling coach John Kayajanian had a simple motto for his team that I think all of athletics, from the youth leagues up to the professional ranks needs to adopt — “You’re not that good.” Humility is a lost art these days.

So I implore the athletes and coaches this fall to set the tone. When something big hapSeptember 2012 :: 10

“It’s hard to hate a team or athlete playing at an elite level that acts like there’s nothing unusual or unique about winning.”

pens, there’s nothing wrong with a simple smile and trotting back into position. Trust me, at the very least, being humble now will make the natural celebrations that come in true times of adversity an actually meaningful moment. It’ll be real, unforced. That’s a large part of what’s missing in athletics. ✖

Ryan Yemen,

CREATIVE EDITOR

back talk »

What’s your take on celebration in sports? Email Ryan at: ryan@scrimmageplay.com

EAR AWAR Y F O DS END

On the last day of the public school athletic calendar, three teams in three different sports closed the deal for state titles. A trio of teams won state championships at the private level. District and conference races across the board were as contested as you could ask for.

There’s no question that the spring season put a bow on 2011-2012. In fact, there’s little debate that this was the most successful season for schools in Central Virginia. There was no shortage of talent across the board and as such, we’re proud to roll out our year-end honors.

Presented by:

Stories by Ryan Yemen and Bart Isley /// Photos by Ashley Thornton, Frank Crocker, Ron Londen, John Berry, Bart Isley, Ryan Yemen

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- C A R E E R ACHIE VEMENT AWARD TRAVIS WARREN, MADISON COUNTY, SENIOR SPORTS: FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL

From 2009 until his graduation in 2012, Travis Warren put together the kind of high school athletic career that most players dream about. He played a sport in all 12 possible seasons at Madison County. During that stretch, he earned 11 varsity letters and was named to 19 different All-Bull Run District, Region B and All-Group A teams. He earned an All-State nod in each of his three sports, first in 2011 as a wide receiver during football season, then in both basketball and baseball this past year.

Warren was a golfer in the fall seasons before his junior year when he decided to tryout for football. In that two year stretch on the gridiron, he was arguably the most dangerous receiver in Central Virginia where he caught 84 passes for 1612 yards and 16 touchdowns. Warren did that despite ridiculous coverage schemes designed to all but elimate him from the gameplan, particularly as a senior. In addition to his role at wideout, he also ran back 25 kicks for 620 and four more touchdowns.

On the basketball court, he was a member of the Mountaineers ‘squad that went undefeated in ’09-’10 en route to a Group A Division

title. The next year he was named the Bull Run District’s player of the year. As a senior he came away with first team selections for both the All-Bull Run and All-Region B squads.

In baseball, Warren earned a letter as a freshman and during that season he earned his first All-Bull Run selection as a second team catcher. He matched that feat as a sophomore before moving to the outfield as a junior where he again was a second teamer.

For his senior year he managed to hit .424 put together an onbase percentage of .519 and steal 26 bases. He finished as a career .351 hitter.

Warren fought through a variety of injuries to keep his athletic career rolling along. And he can hang his hat on how he finished each season as a senior, 6 catches for 125 yards and two TDs in football, 25 points, seven rebounds and assists each in basketball and going 2 for 2 with a pair of stolen bases in baseball to close it all out.

The era of the dominant 3-sport star has faded over the years, but Warren was truly a throwback to that kind of athlete. ✖

- SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR SAM PATTERSON, MONTICELLO, SENIOR SPORTS: FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL

Sam Patterson was a nearly perfect peg for whatever hole existed in Monticello’s football, basketball and baseball programs in 2011-2012 after he transferred from Covenant. The football squad needed a big target at wideout opposite Nathan DiGregorio and Patterson fit the bill at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds. He instantly ignited one of the state’s most dynamic offenses, averaging 30.1 yards per catch while scoring nine touchdowns and piling up 872 yards. In the process, he earned all-state honors, a scholarship offer at Virginia Military Institute and the Mustangs advanced to the Region II semifinals.

During basketball, Monticello was short on post presence and Patterson, again, fit the bill, stepping on a varsity court for the first time in his career and providing consistent rebounding, scoring and passing out of the low block, averaging 13.6 points per game. Monticello, in turn, advanced to the Region II second round before falling to Handley.

In baseball, he spent his time in the outfield for the Mustangs, bolstering Monticello’s lineup with a good bat and championship experience — he was part of Covenant’s state title team in 2011.

Monticello, in turn, put together a tremendous run through the Region II tournament, finishing as the runner-up to Powhatan and earning a state tournament bid.

Patterson’s year was about as good as it gets, as he adjusted seamlessly a new school and to three different varsity teams, making an impact on all three. If Patterson can keep translating potential into production like he did at Monticello this year, he’s got a chance to make a huge impact at VMI. ✖

Summer 2012 :: 12

- S P O RT S WOM AN OF THE YE AR TAYLOR BROWN, COVENANT, SENIOR SPORTS: FIELD HOCKEY, GIRLS LACROSSE

The numbers, honors and wins that she earned or helped produce over the years at Covenant are staggering.

But the most telling sign of Taylor Brown’s dominance during her career at Covenant is how often the UVa field hockey freshman’s name showed up in opposing coach’s preseason forms that are submitted before the start of each season.

“The league will come down to who can contain Taylor.” — “Finding an answer for Taylor Brown of Covenant is our biggest challenge.”

—“Taylor Brown is far and away the area’s toughest player to defend.”

Or, this year. — “Now that Taylor Brown is playing at UVa…” Brown had a huge impact in both field hockey and lacrosse. In field hockey she earned All-VISAA Division II first team honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. She earned the state’s player of the year honor as a junior as well as the Scrimmage Play player of the year nod that same season. She’s earned a varsity letter since 2006 in hockey and led the team in scoring from eighth grade on.

She finished her hockey career with 83 career goals and 42 assists.

In lacrosse she did much of the same, earned all-state honors her sophomore through senior seasons and leading the team in goals for all three of those seasons, including a 51-goal junior year. She was also dominant on the draw and on ground balls.

All the while, Covenant’s field hockey and lacrosse teams prospered along with Brown, with a pair of state final appearances by the hockey squad and playoff berths for the lacrosse squad year in and year out.

Brown’s unreal speed allowed her to make an early impact as a young player in the Eagles’ programs. But her development from year-to-year was striking. Brown always got better each season and while injuries limited her some as a senior, she became an increasingly complete player over time.

She also has a natural knack for getting to goal and scoring, but she learned to distribute, particularly in field hockey.

That, in turn, made Covenant better. Brown learned she couldn’t get it done on her own early, and, she made sure those coaches who were so concerned with her on their preseason forms never found an answer for how to shut her down. ✖

- SPORTSMAN / SPORTSWOMAN FINALISTS -

YaYa Anderson /// Fluvanna County, Sr. All-Jefferson District in football, All-Group AA in basketball C.J. Prosise /// Blue Ridge, Sr. First team All-VISAA Division 1 in football, 2nd in VISAA 100m dash Christian Hackenberg /// Fork Union, Jr. All-VISAA Division 1 in football, lettered in basketball, baseball Lee Carneal /// Albemarle, Sr. Three sport standout in football, basketball and baseball Branford Rogers /// St. Anne’s-Belfield Sr. First team All-ODFC in football, All-VISAA in lacrosse Tarian Ayres /// Buckingham, Sr. All-Region B in both football and basketball Jordan Gentry /// William Monroe, Sr. All-Region B in football, first team All-Group A in baseball Clark Crutchfield /// Covenant, Sr. Lettered in both football and baseball

13 :: scrimmageplay

Natalie Cronk /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Won Group AA 200 IM, led Western to 2nd straight state title Trent Holden /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Standout for Saints in volleyball, basketball, swimming and lacrosse Javanique Burruss /// Louisa County, Jr. Three outdoor track and field Group AA gold medals Lauren Brady /// Albemarle, Sr. All-CD in soccer and indoor track standout Alex Cave /// Wiliam Monroe, Sr. First team All-Bull Run in basketball, BRD swimmer of the year Greer Brown /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Led Fluvanna to indoor and outdoor Jefferson District track title Kendall Ballard /// Charlottesville, Fr. All-JD selection in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse Mary Shifflett /// Covenant, Sr. All-LIS defender in field hockey and lacrosse

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ian Robertson /// STAB, Sr. All-VISAA D1, All-Prep, 76 goals, 23 assists, All-American

IAN ROBERTSON ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, SENIOR

Tanner Fisher /// Blue Ridge, Sr. VIC player of the year, All-American Chase Phillips /// Monticello, Jr. West Central Division POY, 56 27 assists Matt Crist /// Albemarle, So. First team West Central Division, 26 goals, 33 assists Ian McGraw /// Covenant, Sr. All-VISAA D2, All-VIC, 30 goals, 28 assists Carlson Milikin /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 31 goals, 12 assists Dylan Park /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. All-VISAA D1, 42 goals, 28 goals Casey Devine /// Charlottesville, Jr. First team West Central Division Kent Henry /// Western Albemarle, So. First team West Central Division, 73% on faceoffs David McSkimming /// Blue Ridge, Sr. All-VISAA D1, All-VIC Sam Runkle /// Charlottesville, Sr. First team West Central Division, All-American Branford Rogers /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 77 ground balls Charles Sipe /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-VISAA D1, All-Prep League, 108 ground balls, 65% on faceoffs Colin Bressan /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. 187 saves, 60% save percentage Jake Huber /// Albemarle, Sr. First team West Central Division

HONORABLE MENTION Ryan McCollough /// Albemarle, Sr. Jack McCarthy /// Charlottesville, Sr. Brian Garland /// Monticello, Sr. Ryan Ramey /// Albemarle, Sr. Vance Spilman /// Woodberry Forest, Jr. Lucas Levine /// Charlottesville, Jr. Miles Davis /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr Michael McCollough /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Stephen Mastropaolo /// Albemarle, Sr. Ben Pugh /// Woodberry Forest, Sr.

15 :: scrimmageplay

Ian Robertson was something of a known entity entering his senior year. He’d already committed to Delaware, and he’d made a sizeable impact as a junior, though he was a secondary option behind the prolific scorer Andrew Crockett. With Crockett’s graduation, Robertson took his sharpshooting to a new level and took advantage of nearly every opportunity that came his way. Robertson was an offensive catalyst all season, including a school record single game performance against Norfolk Academy. Against the Bulldogs he poured in eight goals and dished out five assists. He notched similarly remarkable attacks against other squads, coming up big in several huge games. He also knew when and how to turn the extra attention he absorbed into chances for teammates like Dylan Park, Michael McCullough and Miles Davis, transforming from a complimentary piece as a junior into the offensive engine as a senior.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR AUSTIN HALL CHARLOTTESVILLE, FRESHMAN It’s not easy to step into a highly competitive West Central Division as a new starter at goalie. It’s even tougher as a ninth grader.

Charlottesville’s Austin Hall handled all that with ease in 2012, anchoring the defensive-minded Black Knights in the cage as CHS unleashed its finest season of the Drew Craft era. Behind its firstyear goalkeeper, Charlottesville managed to advance further than any other public school boys lacrosse squad in Central Virginia. The Black Knights came within a game of a state tournament berth and can count on their reliable young keeper to anchor their defense for years to come.

- GIRLS L ACROSSE FIRST TEAM Connor Carson /// Albemarle, Jr. All-American, West Central Section POY, 83 goals, 29 assists

PLAYER OF THE YEAR CONNOR CARSON ALBEMARLE, JUNIOR

Lila Satterfield /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. All-LIS, 59 goals, 8 assists Rachel Rapp /// Covenant, Sr. All-LIS, All-VISAA D2, 40 goals, 55 draw controls, 36 ground balls Taylor Brown /// Covenant, Sr. All-LIS, All-VISAA D2, 53 goals, 14 assists, 45 draws, 71 groundballs Sydney Larese /// Monticello, Jr. All-West Central Section, 52 goals, 15 assists, 65 percent shooting Jamie Kusyk /// Charlottesville, Jr. All-West Central Section Julia Haney /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Fr. All-LIS, 49 goals, 27 assists, 28 draws, 39 groundballs Kristen Mendelsohn /// Albemarle, Sr. All-West Central Section, 47 goals, 28 assists, 79 groundballs Bridget Shaffrey /// Western Albemarle, Jr. All-West Central Section, 66 goals, 12 assists, 39 draw controls Peyton Brandt /// Western Albemarle, Sr. All-West Central Section, 45 goals, 43 assists Alora Henry /// Western Albemarle, Sr. All-West Central Section, 15 draw controls, 25 ground balls Heather Clarke /// Albemarle, Sr. All-West Central Section, 38 ground balls, 17 forced turnovers Alicia Young /// Albemarle, Jr. All-West Central Section, 25 groundballs, 18 forced turnovers Elise Van Arsdale /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. All-LIS, lead defender for Saints, 35 ground balls Catherine Towers /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr. All-American, 49% save percentage, 123 saves

HONORABLE MENTION

Mary Shifflett /// Covenant, Sr. Sadie Bryant /// Covenant, Fr. Kelsey Rund /// Albemarle, Jr. Kendall Ballard /// Charlottesville, Fr. Katie Lesemann /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Mady Baker /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Ari Slate /// Monticello, Jr. Rebecca Mendelsohn /// Albemarle, So. Anna Brown /// Monticello, So. Maggie Kalagher /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Trent Holden /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr.

Connor Carson has been the key catalyst in the incredible renaissance of Albemarle High girls lacrosse, transforming from the prolific scorer she emerged as during her freshman year to the all-around force of nature she’s become now. Carson exploded for 83 goals and 29 assists in 2012 while earning West Central Section player of the year honors. She also picked up 83 ground balls and snagged 131 draws as she filled up the stat sheet in every conceivable way. She demonstrated a clear understanding of how to get her teammates involved when she drew quick slides or double teams, which was a regular occurrence from the start. That unselfishness helped spark a terrific season for the Patriots that included West Central Division regular season and tournament titles. Bad news for opponents?

Carson’s got another year of wearing the red and blue.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR JULIA HANEY ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, FRESHMAN While Haney technically joined the varsity as an eighth grader, the STAB freshman got her first substantial shot in the Saints’ offense this year and she didn’t disappoint. Haney piled up 49 goals and 27 assists for the state quarterfinalists while handling the draw all season for the Saints. She quickly became one of the area’s most formidable scoring threats from the midfield and can hold her own on both ends of the field. As Haney’s game continues to mature, she could become another in a long line of special girls lacrosse players at St. Anne’s.

Summer 2012 :: 16

- SOFTBALL FIRST TEAM Caroline Porco /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Commonwealth District

PLAYER OF THE YEAR HALI GOAD LOUISA COUNTY, SENIOR

Aysha Richardson /// Orange County, Jr. First team All-Commonwealth District Danielle Wallace /// Orange County, Jr. Second team All-Commonwealth District Casey Racer /// Madison County, Sr. First team All-Region B and All-Bull Run Brianna Cox /// Louisa County, Sr. First team All-Region B, first team All-James River District McKenzie Riner /// Louisa County, Jr. Second team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Lauren Seale /// Madison County, So. First team All-Region B, All-Bull Run Jackie Tremaine /// Goochland, Fr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Jefferson District Kerri Carpenter /// Madison County, Sr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run District Chelsea Shumaker /// Buckingham County, Jr. First team All-James River District Hali Goad /// Louisa, Sr. First team All-Group AA, Region II & Jefferson District POY Jordan Flemming /// Goochland, Jr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-James River District

Hali Goad is a rare commodity. It’s not often you find a catcher that can play outstanding defense behind the plate, hit at the top of the order for an excellent average and run the bases as you would expect a shortstop. The Lions were vastly improved in 2011, but behind Goad Louisa County was able to win the Jefferson District regular season and tournament titles, dropping just one district contest all season.

The Lions also came within a game of advancing to the Group AA tournament. At the end of the post season Goad was named to the All-Group AA team, an accolade she added to her All-Jefferson District and All-Region II player of the year honors.

HONORABLE MENTION NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR Lindsey Chaney /// Albemarle, Fr. Mattie Morris /// Monticello, Sr. Kate Chisholm /// Louisa County, Sr. Ashleigh Harris /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Brittany Wratchford /// Louisa County, Jr. Colleen Marshall /// Albemarle, Jr. Molly Dunsmore /// Western Albemarle, So. Bandi Tester /// Goochland, Jr. Taylor Scruggs /// Goochland, Jr. Chakiryn Jackson /// Goochland, So. Allison Morris /// William Monroe, Sr.

17 :: scrimmageplay

BAILEY COLVIN, MADISON COUNTY, FRESHMAN There were a handful of young players that aided Madison County as it made a second straight run to the Group A tournament, but whenever the Mountaineers needed a big play, they were able to count on Colvin.

The freshman delivered on a regular basis throughout the postseason as Madison avoided an early exit in the Bull Run District tournament only to go on to win the Region B tournament. With a handful of seniors moving on, the Mountaineers should have no trouble giving their resilient freshman an expanded role next spring.

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE SPORTS STARS OF TOMORROW

WHAT’S YOUR SPORT? William Grupp Dentistry has been supporting local youth sports for the past 15 years New patients receive a complimentary custom fitted mouth guard for contact sports

CATCH THE BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ON THE RADIO 8/31 Monticello at Albemarle, 7 p.m 9/7 Charlottesville at R.E.Lee, 7:30 p.m.

9/14 St. Christopher’s at STAB, 7 p.m.

All games on WINA unless otherwise noted.

Pregame coverage begins 30 minutes before kickoff.

Games subject to change. We’re looking for the best matchup each week!

- BASEBALL FIRST TEAM Jordan Gentry /// William Monroe, Sr. First team All-Group A, All-Region B, All-Bull Run District

PLAYER OF THE YEAR JORDAN GENTRY WILLIAM MONROE, SENIOR

Josh Malm /// Monticello, So. First team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District Austin Batten /// William Monroe, So. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run Austin Goyne /// Goochland, Sr. Second team All-Region B, irst team All-James River Logan Forloines/// William Monroe, Sr. First team All-Group A, All-Region B, First team All-Bull Run District Sam Patterson /// Monticello, Sr. First team All- Region II, All-Jefferson District Jacob Borenstein /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Commonwealth Distirct Ryan Morris /// William Monroe, Sr. Second team All-Region B, first team All-Bull Run Josh Seay /// Louisa County, Sr. Second team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Joe Burris /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Northwest Region, First team All-Commonwealth District Timmy Aker /// Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Commonwealth District Jack Maynard /// Western Albemarle, So. First team All-Region II, All-Jefferson District

HONORABLE MENTION Connor Lilley /// Monticello, Sr. Matt Morris /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. T.J. Dudley /// Fork Union, Jr. Eric Ponton /// Miller, Sr. Travis Warren /// Madison County, Sr. Max Mann /// Monticello, So. Dale Richardson /// Charlottesville, Jr. Brett Johnson /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Kyle Jacobson /// Monticello, Sr. Raheim Cooper /// Orange County, Sr. Jeremy Walker /// Miller, Sr. Stevie Mangrum /// Western Albemarle, Fr. Brock Harris /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Cam Johnson /// Buckingham County, Jr. Clarke Crutchfield /// Covenant, Sr.

Jordan Gentry had to wait a while before he was able to take the mound, making his debut against Strasburg as a reliever. Just a few weeks later he was piling up wins and giving up next to nothing in terms of earned runs.

And when it came to the playoffs, Gentry burned through the innings winning multiple complete games. For the second straight season Gentry managed to finish with a pristine record, not losing a single contest. But while it was his arm that paced the Dragons to a Group A championship, his job also including jumpstarting the offense as the team’s leadoff hitter as well as playing at shortstop on his days off from pitching. Gentry was a regular on the base paths, a constant scoring threat and as reliable in the middle of the infield as any shortstop in Central Virginia. He had a huge season all around and as such, so did Monroe.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR KEEGAN WOOLFORD WILLIAM MONROE,FRESHMAN He has a natural swing that makes everything he does look simple. It’s not.

Woolford was the lone freshman starter on a senior-laden Monroe team, but he wont be considered a young inexperienced player after the year he had for the Dragons. Woolford hit for average, played quality outfield and when the playoffs came, delivered one key hit after another. Of course nothing he did was bigger or more important than his extra-inning walkoff single that delivered his school a Group A Division 2 championship. The rebuild may be on for Monroe now, but Woolford is a blue chip to build around.

Summer 2012 :: 20

- GIRLS SOCCER FIRST TEAM Marina Clark /// Western Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Region II, 14 goals, nine assists

PLAYER OF THE YEAR LECI IRVIN TANDEM FRIENDS, SENIOR

Maggie Tubridy /// Albemarle, Jr. First team All-Northwest Region, first team All-Commonwealth District Leci Irvin /// Tandem Friends, Jr. All-VISAA Division 2 POY, first team All-DAC, 19 goals, 13 assists Bri Carel /// Tandem Friends, Sr. All-VISAA D2, 32 goals, three assists Haley Kent /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. All-VISAA D1, All-LIS, nine goals 10 assists Abigail Intolubbe-Chmil /// Charlottesville, Jr. Second team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Kylie Hegemier /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, So. First team All-VISAA D1, All-LIS, 17 goals, five assists Kristen Grimshaw /// Monticello, Jr. First team All-Jefferson District, eight goas, nine assists Lauren Brady /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Commonwealth District, seven goals, six assists Christine Domecq /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Second team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Emily Larrabee /// Monticello, Jr. Jefferson District POY Abby Mathes /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-NW Region, All-Commonwealth District Lauren Gampper /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Surrendered just 16 goals for state champion Saints

In one of the finest years for girls soccer in Central Virginia history, Leci Irvin rose to the top of the sport for the second year in a row with an incredible season punctuated by a near-flawless state tournament.

The VISAA Division 2 player of the year, who’s bound for William and Mary, scored eight goals in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals as Tandem marched to another state title. Irvin finished with 19 goals and 13 assists on the year in an incredible season-long effort. Irvin’s deft touch at center midfield powered the Badgers all year long and now she’s got a pair of titles and player of the year honors to show for a storied career.

HONORABLE MENTION Ellie Linkous /// Monticello, Jr. Katt Ditta /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Emily Marbury /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Ali Starr /// Albemarle, So. Rachel Cooke /// Western Albemarle, So. Maggie McNair /// Charlottesville, Sr. Alexis Hucek /// Western Albemarle, So. Cary Wingo /// Monticello, Jr. Mary Hemmenway /// Charlottesville, So. Carmen Thomas /// Albemarle, Fr. Lindsey Wheeler /// Madison County, Sr. Hannah Kengerski /// William Monroe, Sr.

21 :: scrimmageplay

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR MORGAN SYMMERS FLUVANNA COUNTY, FRESHMAN In an area with a number of accomplished goalies already in the prep ranks, Symmers emerged as the leader of the next wave of local keepers. The Fluvanna goalie was a rock between the posts for the Flucos in a particularly loaded season for Jefferson District girls soccer. Symmers proved an adept shot-stopper and showed a lot of promise. Fluvanna’s had some fine keepers recently, and it looks like they found their next stalwart in Symmers.

- BOYS SOCCER FIRST TEAM Kai Marshall /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-CD, Second team All-Northwest Region, VT commit

PLAYER OF THE YEAR SHANE ROSE ALBEMARLE, SENIOR

Shane Rose /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Commonwealth District, All-Northwest Region Jake Domenic /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Second team All-Region II, first team All-Jefferson District Dale Ludwig /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Second team All-Group AA, first team All-Region II, All-JD Forrest White /// Western Albemarle, So. First team All-Group AA, All-Region, All-Jefferson District Jorge Guitterez-Reyes /// Louisa County, Sr. First team All-Jefferson District Sam Swanson /// Western Albemarle, Fr. First team All-Jefferson District Michael Nafziger /// Western Albemarle, Jr. HM All-Group AA, first team, All-Region II, All-Jefferson District Rowen Perry /// Albemarle, Sr. First team All-Commonwealth District, 14 goals Luc Fatton /// Albemarle, Jr. Second team All-Commonwealth, 11 goals, 12 assists Nathan Colberg /// Covenant, Jr. First team All-VIC, 14 goals Kyle Saulle /// Monticello, Sr. HM All-Group AA, first team All-Jefferson District, 27 goals Matt Natale /// Albemarle, So. First tea All-Commonwealth District, six postseason shutouts

Shane Rose was the relentless engine that drove Albemarle High’s terrific run to a Group AAA title in 2012. The Virginia Tech-bound forward finished with just six goals and six assists on the year while earning second team All-Group AAA honors, but he orchestrated the offense and plays almost completely without fear. That aggressive, heady play was at its best during the state tournament run, where he generated a slew of chances for teammates like forward Kai Marshall, particularly in a hard-fought win over Lake Braddock in the state semifinals. He also converted the first penalty kick during the overtime round of PKs in that game that lifted the Patriots to the state final where the Patriots made history with the school’s first state soccer title.

HONORABLE MENTION

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Bobby Dandridge /// Buckingham County, Sr. Girma Fekadu /// Covenant, Sr. Jason Conway /// Buckingham County, Jr. Nick Yuen /// Goochland, So. Fernando Ibarra /// Goochland, Sr. Joshua Alderfer /// Nelson County, Sr. Danny Goodsell /// Orange County, Sr. Matt Sheffield /// Albemarle, Sr. Harris Tolber /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Will Lambert /// Monticello, Sr. Josiah Fleming /// Monticello Sr. Abass Osman /// Charlottesville, Sr.

SAM SWANSON WESTERN ALBEMARLE, FRESHMAN He didn’t light up the scoreboard, but from his centermidfield spot, Sam Swanson and his deft touch made Western Albemarle a better soccer team on nearly every single possession. The freshman distributed the ball and created all kinds of opportunities for players like Forest White and Grant Tolber, helping spark the Warriors to an unbeaten run through the Jefferson District regular season slate and tournament.

Summer 2012 :: 22

- GIRLS TENNIS FIRST TEAM Emily Kochard /// Western Albemarle, So. No. 1 player for Group AA semifinalists

PLAYER OF THE YEAR EMILY KOCHARD WESTERN ALBEMARLE, SOPHOMORE

Kassie Tulenko /// Monticello, So. No.1 player for Jefferson District runner-up Cari Bland /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No. 2 player for Group AA semifinalists April Ecenrode /// Monticello, Sr. No. 2 player for Jefferson District runner-up Megan Wright /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No. 3 player for Group AA semifinalists Rowan Spence /// Charlottesville, Sr. Jefferson District semifinalist Allison Henry /// Albemarle, So. Commonwealth District doubles runner-up, 15-5 Sabrina Gomez /// Fluvanna County, Jr. No.1 player for Flucos Claire Park /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No. 4 player for Group AA semifinalists Emily Butler /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. No. 1 player for Saints

Emily Kochard broke on to the scene in 2011 as savvy freshman No. 1 for Western Albemarle, but in 2012 she took a step forward as a leader. Kochard helped jumpstart a run to the Group AA semifinals, equaling the deepest run for the girls squad in school history. Kochard was a rock during the run, providing consistent, heady play at the top of the ladder. While she fell to the immensely talented Kassie Tulenko of Monticello in the JD individual finals, Kochard proved that she could lead her team to new heights, which sets the table for more success in the next two years of her career.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION Emily Keely /// Charlottesville, Sr. Liz Kronander/// Louisa County, Sr. Charlotte Keely /// Charlottesville, Sr. Caroline Michaels /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Maggie Kalagher /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Lila Satterfield /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Jr.

23 :: scrimmageplay

KATELYN GROSSMAN ALBEMARLE, SOPHOMORE Grossman came in with little experience but posted a 13-2 singles record and a 12-2 doubles mark, anchoring the bottom of part of the ladder for the Patriots. As the No. 5 player for Albemarle, Grossman proved she was worthy and stepped up with steady play all year.

- BOYS TENNIS FIRST TEAM Cam Scot /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Group AA individual champion, No. 1 singles for team title winners

PLAYER OF THE YEAR CAM SCOT WESTERN ALBEMARLE, SENIOR

Timmy Shaw /// Albemarle, Sr. No.1 singles for Group AAA quarterfinalist Albemarle, 21-3 Jack Thomas /// Covenant, So. VISAA Division 2 POY, All-VIC Will Diamond /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No.2 singles for Group AA champs Prescott Angle /// Charlottesville, Sr. Jefferson District individual runner-up Sam Adamson /// Covenant, Fr. First team All-VISAA D2, All-VIC Drew Loving /// Western Albemarle, Sr. No.3 player single for Group AA champs Doug Corbett /// Albemarle, Sr. Member of Commonwealth Distict doubles team champion Johannes Scheefele /// Blue Ridge, Sr. All-VIC Andrew Scott /// Woodberry Forest, So. No. 1 player for Tigers

HONORABLE MENTION Timmy O’Shea /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Tom Lewis /// Western Albemarle, Sr. J.C. Kim /// Fork Union, Sr. Michael Tamony /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Jake Brooks /// Albemarle, So. Daniel Nadkarni /// Monticello, Sr. Paul Zakin /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Sr. Faulkner Harerford /// Woodberry Forest, Jr.

Cam Scot knows what an opening looks like apparently. With the graduation of Salem superstar and current Radford starter Patrick O’Keefe, Scot found a narrow window in his senior year to grab an individual Group AA title. That kickstarted a storybook finish to his high school career as he went on to lead his Warriors squad to a team title, including winning at No. 1 singles and doubles in the state final. Scot completed a three-year reign as the Warriors’ No. 1 player that included three-straight state final appearances including the championship this year against E.C. Glass. Scot won the Jefferson District titles three straight years and advanced to the individual championships the last two years. Now he’ll head to Virginia Tech where he plans to walk-on and he’s certainly bringing an impressive resume down to Blacksburg, including, finally, that individual state title.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR JAKE BROOKS ALBEMARLE, SOPHOMORE Brooks broke into the top six for the Patriots for the first time and played No. 5 for Albemarle. Brooks rolled 23-0 in singles play and he played the biggest in the Patriots’ toughest matchups, handing state semifinalist Freedom’s No. 5 his only loss of the year.

Summer 2012 :: 24

- TRACK AND FIELD GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR JAVANIQUE BURRUSS LOUISA COUNTY, JUNIOR

Quite simply, it couldn’t have gotten better for Javanique Burruss. She exploded for three state titles at the Group AA championships, winning the triple jump, long jump and 100-meter hurdles. The victories gave Burruss six career outdoor titles, three off the state’s career record. She also helped spark the Lions’ 4x100 team to a third place overall finish behind E.C. Glass and John Handley and nearly broke the state record in the hurdles, finishing .15 seconds off the mark. No matter though. She’s got another yeah to keep putting her name in the state record book.

GIRLS HONOR ROLL Javanique Burruss /// Louisa County, Jr. Group AA champion in 100 hurdles, long jump, triple jump Greer Brown /// Fluvanna County, Sr. Third at Group AA in 100 hurdles, fourth in long jump, fifth in high jump Hannah Meador /// Fluvanna County, So. Group AA champion in pole vault Taylor Watkins /// Charlottesville, Fr. Jefferson District champion in 100, 200 and 400 Casey Russell /// Albemarle, Jr. Group AAA sixth place pole vault Ashley Wells /// Nelson County, Sr. Second in Dogwood District shotput, third in high jump

25 :: scrimmageplay

BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR DENVER WRIGHT FORK UNION, SENIOR

With the field he faced, the double wasn’t going to be easy. Far from it, in fact. But at the VISAA outdoor state championships, Denver Wright shook loose in both races, winning both the 100 and 200-meter dashes to grab a pair of state titles as Fork Union put together a dominant, runaway performance to notch another outdoor state championship. Wright’s double title wasn’t the only one FUMA had that day, as teammate Clyde Gross also won two individual state titles, but Wright’s wins in the two challenging races highlighted the Blue Devils’ incredible outing.

BOYS HONOR ROLL Denver Wright /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA champion in 100 and 200 Clyde Gross /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA champion in 110 and 300 hurdles Adam Visokay /// Albemarle, Jr. Group AAA runner-up in 1600 Rodrell Smith /// Nelson County, Sr. Achored Group A champion 4x400, Group A runner-up 400 Michael Idziak /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA 800 meter champion, runner-up in 1600 Jordan Roach /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA champion in discus

- TRACK AND FIELD -

Maggie Kooken /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Sixth in Group AA shotput, JD champion in shotput and discus Natese Ragland /// Louisa County, Sr. Region II runnerup in long jump Annie Taylor /// Western Albemarle, Fr. Fourth place at Region II in 3200, JD champion Charler Legard /// Western Albemarle, Jr. Third place at Group AA in pole vault Tamara Starchia /// Charlottesville, So. Sixth at Region II in long jump, seventh in triple jump Nicole Douma /// Fluvanna County, So. Jefferson District 1600 runner-up, fourth in 800 Madeline Hermsmeier /// Monticello, Sr. Third place at JD in 1600 and 3200 Madison Hunter /// St. Anne’s-Belfield, Fr. Third at VISAA 800, fourth in 1600

Leon Strauss /// Blue Ridge, So. Third place VISAA 100, 200 runner-up Avery Martin /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA 800 champion, runner-up in 1600 Charlton Larkins /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA champion in shotput Chance Parmly /// Fluvanna County, Jr. Second at Group AA in pole vault Lorenzo Henson /// Louisa County, Sr. Fifth at Group AA in 300 hurdles Ryan Thomas /// Albemarle, So. Eighth place at Group AAA in 800 Collin Williams /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Anchored Group AA champion 4x800 squad, Region II runner-up in 800 Staton Mayfield /// Fork Union, Sr. VISAA champion in pole vault

- GOLF -

H O N O R

Landon Weis (pictured) /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Scored for Group AA Champions Alex O’Dell /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Scored for Group AA Champions Kevin Archer /// Monticello, Sr. Scored for Region II Champions

R O L L

Lauren Eklund /// Albemarle, Sr. Third place Commonwealth District Shep Hardison /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. Seventh place VISAA D1 Evan Childress /// Monticello, Sr. Scored for Region II Champions

Austin Batten /// William Monroe, So. Group A qualifier

Logan Yates /// William Monroe, Fr. Seventh place Group A

Austin Kelliher /// Madison County, Fr. Region II champion

Chris Hickman /// Blue Ridge, Sr. Sixth place VISAA D1

Brett Engle /// Western Albemarle, Sr. Scored for Group AA Champions Tony Liu /// Albemarle, Sr. Second place Commonwealth District

Austin Kelliher /// Madison County, Fr. Group A qualifier Tyler Grills /// Woodberry Forest, Sr. 10th place VISAA Division 1

Summer 2012 :: 26

READ | REACT | E

STORY BY BART ISLEY AND RYAN YEMEN PORTRAITS BY JOHN BERRY

27 :: scrimmageplay

EXPLODE | FINISH

DEFENSE AT I T S C O R E , D E F E N S E I S I N S T I N C T U A L . S U R E T H E R E A R E R O L E S T O B E P L AY E D O N T H AT S I D E O F T H E B A L L , A S S I G N M E N T S T O B E E X E C U T E D . B U T T H E B E S T D E F E N S I V E P L AY E R S , AT T H E I R C O R E , A R E A G G R E S S I V E , B A L L- H A W K I N G M O N S T E R S . T H E Y W A N T T O W R E A K H AV O C . T H E Y WA N T T O M A K E P L AY S , C R E AT E T U R N O V E R S , P I L E U P S A C K S . T H E Y WA N T T O C H A N G E T H E G A M E T H E B E S T WAY T H E Y K N O W H O W — W I T H A N E X P L O S I V E P L A Y. G O O C H L A N D ’ S N AT H A N A D A M S , W O O D B E R RY F O R E S T ’ S D O U G R A N D O L P H , A L B E M A R L E ’ S R Y A N L O N D R E E A N D M O N T I C E L L O ’ S T. J .

T I L L E RY K N O W H O W T O M A K E T H O S E K I N D O F P L AY S . N O M AT T E R W H E R E T H E Y A R E O N T H E F I E L D , T H E Y ’ R E M A S T E R S AT H E L P I N G SHUT DOWN OPPOSING OFFENSES. R E A D . R E A C T. E X P L O D E . F I N I S H . I T ’ S T H AT S I M P L E .

September 2012 ::

28

CHARLOTTESVILLE

BLACK KNIGHTS JEFFERSON DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 1-9 8/24 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/22 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/26 11/2

vs. @ @ vs. vs. vs. vs. @ vs. @

E.C. Glass Eastern View R.E. Lee Culpeper Liberty Bealeton Fluvanna County Monticello Western Albemarle Louisa County Powhatan

WHO’S GONE: MASON SHERRY (QB/LB), GRAHAM ROLPH (OL/DL), DAQUAN JONES (WR/LB), DIAMONTE SCOTT (RB/LB) WHO’S BACK: RASHAD DAVIS (QB, PICTURED BELOW), DALE RICHARDSON (LB/OT), TROY HUGHES (OL/DL) CHRIS THURSTON (RB/DB), DARIUS WATSON (WR/DB) WHO’S NEW: RASHARD BROCK (RB)

FLUVANNA COUNTY

FLYIN’ FLUCOS JEFFERSON DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 2-8 8/24 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26

vs. @ vs. @ vs. @ @ @ vs. vs.

Prince Edward Goochland Spotsylvania Buckingham County Kettle Run Charlottesville Louisa County Powhatan Monticello Western Albemarle

WHO’S GONE: LOGAN WALLS (RB), YAYA ANDERSON (QB/WR), BEN LACEY (OL/DL) WHO’S BACK: DEVIN GOODE (LB/RB, PICTURED BELOW), JALEN HARRISON (WR/ DB), AUSTIN FOSTER (QB), CODY CHILDERS (OL/DL), JAVON BURTON (RB/DB), MARCUS JACKSON (RB/LB) WHO’S NEW: DASHON TIBBS (QB/DB)

29 :: scrimmageplay

CHS eager to mix up the standings There were times last year that teams overlooked Charlottesville, and they were almost caught by an incredibly young team learning a new system.

The Black Knights were one of the few Jefferson District teams to play Powhatan tough. They nearly knocked off Robert E. Lee and Monticello as well. That’s the backdrop for a team that returns so much of its talent and feels completely different heading into the year than it did last year.

Second year coach Eric Sherry has the athletes he needs and their up to speed now how to run his offense. Taking over for Mason Sherry at quarterback, Rashad Davis brings speed and overall athleticism to the position, making him an ideal player to execute the option. In Chris Thurston the Black Knights have a gritty running back, and freshman Rashard Brock has the coaching staff excited about the depth and versatility in the backfield.

The offensive line should be much improved.

Charlottesville is going with athleticism over size at the position to stay as mobile as possible. Juniors Wade Kammauf and Liam McCarthy are all multisport athletes who can move, and play larger than their size, and in sophomore Troy Hughes, the Black

Knights have a big cog who is way more athletic than he should be for such a large frame.

Defensively, losing a pair of linebackers hurts the Black Knights but they’re fortunate to have Dale Richardson return for his senior year in the middle of the field. Charlottesville has depth in the secondary, but be on the lookout for Isaiah Green at safety as a breakout player.

The Jefferson District is wide open and the Black Knights’ skill and confidence is at its highest since Charlottesville suited up back in 2009.

The out of district schedule will test this team, with Liberty Bealeton and Eastern View always strong. If Charlottesville can get through its first five games with a winning record, it has a chance to make some noise with three of its five JD games being at home.

Charlottesville’s also got a new look, literally. With flat black helmets and a new logo, the attempt is being made to put the last few years in the past and move ahead. With the right attitude, experience and overall team speed this group has, sleeping on Charlottesville isn’t wise. Still, they’ve got to prove the naysayers wrong and there’s only one way to do that and that’s by winning games. ✖

Flucos interested in playing spoiler Sometimes it helps to just press reset and start over. In a way, Fluvanna County is getting to do that this year. After a 2-8 season in 2011 that continued a string of five-straight sub .500 seasons, the Flucos needed a chance to reset.

Now Fluvanna gets a top-notch field house, weight room and turf field at a sparkling new home stadium behind a brand new school.

While head coach Jason Barnett enters his third season at the helm, he gets a chance to start over too, installing a new offense that should give the Flucos some consistency that a slew of injuries and on-the-fly adjustments didn’t allow them to have last year.

The Flucos have a solid base at linebacker, with Devin Goode and Marcus Jackson. Jackson is a fast, explosive athlete, something the Flucos need a lot more of in the lineup. Jackson was banged up last season and didn’t get a chance to play much of the year. Goode is a similarly multi-talented athlete that will likely see time on both sides of the ball. Jovan Burton, who showed flashes of potential at tailback last year, also returns to the pool of skill players.

They’ll need one of those players to turn into a

playmaker with the graduation of YaYa Anderson and Logan Walls, the top two rushers in 2011.

That’ll start with Dashon Tibbs, the Albemarle transfer who seems to be the likely candidate to take over at quarterback. Along with Austin Foster, another quarterback who could see time at wide receiver, there are some nice pieces around Burton.

Up front, Cody Childers, who took on a leadership role on day one for the Flucos on the line by leading his unit through most drills, will need to be reliable. Ben Lacey graduated and there are holes to fill. There are some solid new additions that could help in the trenches. The Flucos are also going to need some of the younger players that have already been in the program to step up.

Barnett is intent on referring to this as an era of zero excuses. Fluvanna has the facility now that puts them on equal footing with the other JD schools, three of which have turf fields and the other two of which have beautiful, well-maintained grass fields. The only question is, can they translate newfound confidence into wins against a tough set of out-of-district opponents and a challenging district slate. ✖

RYAN LONDREE ALBEMARLE RYAN LONDREE WAS A basketball player almost exclusively until he stepped on the football field as a ninth grader.

Then things began to change, which can happen when you’ve got good feet and a frame like Londree’s.

Now standing at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, Londree is still playing in the post during basketball season and for his AAU squad, but he’s become an impact player on the gridiron. Londree earned second team All-Commonwealth District honors as a sophomore on both the offensive and defensive line, the only lineman in a loaded district to pick up honors on both side.

Londree isn’t just a space eater either. Those quick feet honed on the basketball court come in handy, allowing him to explode through gaps or gain a quick advantage on an opposing offensive lineman and overpower him. Footwork is critical in the trenches,

READ and Londree is a technician with size, an excellent combination for the Patriots, who’ve struggled to produce, on a regular basis, the kind of linemen needed to compete in the Commonwealth.

If the junior tackle can disrupt opposing offenses and, in turn clear the way for a group of talented running backs led by Nico Troche, that’s going to go a long way toward allowing the Patriots to build on the Massaponax victory from the season finale in 2011.

There’s a reason why big defensive tackles are some of the most coveted college recruits and highest draft picks in the NFL — they can change the game like few other players can. Few players in the area fit that profile, but Londree does, and Albemarle will surely leverage that all season.

Londree may still be a basketball player, but football has become an awfully good second option for the big man. ✖

September 2012 ::

30

Lions try to build on Region II win That Louisa County found a way to return the postseason after losing all 11 starters on defense and seven on offense is a testament to Jon Meeks’ ability to keep this program where Mark Fischer left it.

But for the Lions to beat Sherando in overtime was something unique, making them only the third team in school history to win a Region II playoff game.

Now as Meeks enters year two at the helm for the Lions, the question is, can this team become just the second team to win multiple playoff games? With what returns this year, the Lions have a realistic chance at being a better team.

For starters, Louisa has a healthy Zack Jackson at quarterback. Jackson showcased his running abilities before getting banged up in 2011, but his development as a passer is the talk among the coaching staff as he’s more confident and accurate in delivering the deep pass and hitting his check downs. He has a big play threat in junior Peanut Johnson, one of the biggest receivers in Central Virginia. The Lions’ offensive front returns intact including Josh Lemon and Cody Tucker, which helps with the loss of Andre Mealy and big fullback JD Dennis in the backfield.

Louisa has a committee of running backs going into the season that will benefit from having an experi-

enced group of linemen that allowed Mealy to pile up 1,713 rushing yards in 2011. Don’t be surprised if there’s a breakout athlete in the backfield as the teams enters with several strong options at the spot.

Defensively, the task this year is challenging with eight starters gone, but that’s still a far cry from the 11 seniors that graduated the season before. The Lions have depth at defensive line that should keep that rotation up front fresh.

With two of its three starters in the secondary back, that should also be a strength. The big question coming into camp for Meeks was finding the starting five linebackers for the 3-5-3 system.

At the end of the day, Louisa’s strength remains offensive so its has time to try and fine tune its defense. Last year the Lions showed they could put up some big numbers, and with an improved passing attack, the numbers look to be even bigger. The question for this team is who outside of Jackson, Peanut Johnson and Deion Johnson are ready to emerge as standouts? To improve upon last year’s results, the Lions need playmakers, but the strength of this program has always been in its numbers, so expect Louisa to once again be a major player in the JD. ✖

LOUISA COUNTY

LIONS

JEFFERSON DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 7-4 8/24 9/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/38 10/5 10/19 10/26 11/2

vs. @ @ vs. vs. @ vs. vs. @ @

Eastern View Orange Courtland Spotsylvania Monticello South Lakes Fluvanna County Powhatan Charlottesville Western Albemarle

WHO’S GONE: J.D. DENNIS (OL), ANDRE MEALY (LB, RB) WHO’S BACK: ZACK JACKSON (QB/DB, PICTURED BELOW), PEANUT JOHNSON (WR), DEION JOHNSON (RB/LB), JOSH LEMON (OL), CODY TUCKER (OL) WHO’S NEW: TRENT RAGLAND (LB)

MONTICELLO

Mustangs look to program’s depth

MUSTANGS

No Isaac Robinson. No Sam Patterson. No Matt Hunt. No Nathan DiGregorio. Perhaps, if things go according to plan, no matter.

Rodney Redd, in his second year at the helm, is intent on keeping the Mustangs’ program at the level Brud Bicknell had it — where a talent dip or a massive graduating class doesn’t have a huge negative impact.

Then again, let’s not pretend the cupboard is bare.

Two key playmakers return to the mix, with JMU-commitment Jhalil Mosley back for his third year as a starting quarterback and T.J. Tillery set to lead the defense. Mosley threw for 1,907 yards and rushed for 655 while accounting for 31 total touchdowns in 2011 as part of one of the state’s most explosive offenses. While he’ll have to find a few new options on offense, Tillery will carry at least part of the load at tailback. He’s too valuable to not utilize on defense though where as a safety he piled up 115 tackles and broke up seven passes last year.

Still, while Monticello has gotten used to replacing a line of strong runners, Robinson’s 2,017 yards and 28 touchdowns will be missed.

If James Banks, who exploded in a three-touchdown performance last year against Albemarle, can

8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

find consistency as a wideout, it’ll go a long way toward easing the departure last year’s standouts.

The most valuable returning piece, however, might be Sam Marshall. Marshall is a leader who is the quintessential coach on the field and he’ll get help from two other returning starters, huge tackle Austin Mays and guard Will Hill.

Defensively, there are question marks, but Tillery gives the Mustangs a piece to build around.

While he had a huge impact, the rest of the defense was largely suspect last year against strong offenses, surrendering 30 or more points in seven games (Western Albemarle twice and Louisa and Charlottesville once each all in winning efforts).

Finding components at linebacker and up front will be critical. Young defensive tackle Trevaine Francis can be a space eater but they’ll need more standouts. Denzel Terry, Brodie Phillips and Willie James are back in the secondary and should be ready to give the Mustangs a more stout effort.

If Monticello can re-tool the offense after those key losses and the defense takes a step forward, the Mustangs should be competing for a district title and another playoff run. ✖

JEFFERSON DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 9-3 @ vs. @ @ vs. @ @ @ vs. vs.

Albemarle George Wythe Goochland Louisa County Western Albemarle Charlottesville Turner Ashby Fluvanna County Powhatan R.E. Lee

WHO’S GONE: ISAAC ROBINSON (RB), SAM PATTERSON (WR/DE), NATHAN DIGREGORIO (WR), MATT HUNT (OL/DL) WHO’S BACK: JHALIL MOSLEY, (QB/DB, PICTURED BELOW), T.J. TILLERY (DB/WR),SAM MARSHALL (OL/DL), JAMES BANKS (WR), AUSTIN MAYS (OL), WILL HILL (OL) WHO’S NEW: DEE GLOVER (RB), TREVAINE FRANCIS (DL)

September 2012 :: 32

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Indians reconfigure for title defense There was a lot of buzz around the Jefferson District as Powhatan started the year, but a tough start for the Indians against non-district opponents had just about everyone confused.

After dropping two of its first three, Powhatan ripped of eight straight wins including an overtime win over Monticello for a defacto JD championship game. Behind a massive senior class led by seniors Ray Brown (JD player of the year) and Alex Higuchi, the Indians first year in their new surroundings was simply impressive.

Now with 16 seniors gone, Powhatan will try to put the new pieces together and find the same results their fan base has come to expect on an annual basis.

Defending the JD title starts with finding a way to fill Brown’s offensive production, something that longtime coach Jim Woodson said can’t be done by just one athlete yet. It’ll be up to Norris Goode, Jake Salisbury and L.J. Jackson to try and fill Brown’s shoes as a committee to start. Another big battle for the Indians is at quarterback where Wes Garrett, Carter Barrington and Kyle Dobrucky all entered camp with hopes of winning the starting job. Tyler Dobrucky should be a big help at wide

receiver. The Indians should once again remain a power running team with its back-by-committee looking for holes behind a big offensive line that includes returning Robert and Spencer Cole.

Defensively, the Indians have size up front, just like they do on offense. The front seven was a major strength last year and should be again. But with teams like Monticello and Western Albemarle who have the ability to air it out on a regular basis, Powhatan’s new faces in the secondary will have to learn quickly. The good news for this defense is they should be prepared for just about everything after September.

In addition to all the new players in new roles, the Indians have the same gauntlet to start with in Grafton, Midlothian and Fork Union. That will be a baptism by fire in a lot of ways, but could make Powhatan battle-tested before its JD opener with Western just like last year.

This is a program that has won 10 straight district titles regardless of affiliation and so a tough schedule, a sizable rebuild and mounting a defense is nothing new for Woodson and his staff. Expect this team to be better than it would seem. ✖

Electric Warriors prepped for 2012 Western Albemarle’s 2011 season started and ended with dramatics. The Warriors got a season opening overtime win over Albemarle thanks to a 2-point covert from Kent Henry and just missed out on pulling an upset over Monticello in the Region II playoffs.

Last year the Warriors were regarded as a young and blossoming team. That phase is over now and Western has the talent at the skill positions to take the next step and get back to the kind of year it had in 2009.

Ed Redmond takes over for Ed Pierce as the team’s coach, but don’t expect a major shake up for this group philosophically. Redmond plans to make the most of Western’s all-around athleticism as that’s what has paced this program to three consecutive postseason berths.

Henry was the Warriors’ breakout star last year as he entered the season unsure of how long the leash was at quarterback and finished with his coaches and teammates entirely confident in his ability to improvise and drive defenses crazy. With Daniel Kuzjak, Isaiah Cowan and Nic Drapanas all returning at wide receiver, few teams are better out-

fitted to run and gun than this one. Trevor Harlowe should benefit greatly as the teams running back as teams try and keep a spy on Henry and cover his two favorite threats down field. This offensive line has some gaps to fill but St. Anne’s-Belfield transfer Josh Gibson should make a solid impact there.

Between Harlowe and Henry, Western should have a formidable ground game to go with the aerial assault everyone is expecting.

But for the Warriors to truly improve, it’s going to come from fine tuning on defense, especially with the loss of linebacker Austin Ellis. Western has a true cover corner in Drapanas and both Kuzjak and Henry will have large roles in the secondary, the strength of this defensive unit. Newcomer Donte Henry’s help will be needed on the defensive line and it’ll be up to Tommy Mullin to lead the linebacking corps. Redmond’s presence should help improve this team’s defensive focus as that’s his speciality.

The Warriors have the kind of tools for a shoot out, but need depth with the front seven defensively to get blow outs instead. This is a truly deep Jefferson District field this year and Western could be ready to shakeup the pecking order up top. ✖

POWHATAN

INDIANS JEFFERSON DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 10-3 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

vs. @ vs. vs. vs. @ vs. @ @ vs.

Grafton Midlothian Fork Union Military Greensville Prince Edward Western Albemarle Fluvanna County Louisa County Monticello Charlottesville

WHO’S GONE: ALEX HIGUCHI (RB/DB), RAY BROWN (RB/DB), ANDREW CHRISTOVICH (OL), BOBBY OGLESBY (OL/DL) WHO’S BACK: JAKE SALISBURY (RB/LB PICTURED BELOW), NORRIS GOODE (RB/LB) L.J. JACKSON, (RB/LB), ROBERT COLE (OL), SPENCER COLE (OL) WHO’S NEW: TYLER DOBRUCKY (WR/DB), KYLE DOBRUCKY (QB)

WESTERN ALBEMARLE

WARRIORS

JEFFERSON DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 6-5 8/24 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

vs. @ vs. @ @ vs. vs. @ @ vs.

Albemarle Liberty Fort Defiance Spotswood Monticello Powhatan Charlottesville Waynesboro Fluvanna County Louisa County

WHO’S GONE: TANNER KNIGHT (WR/DB), AUSTIN ELLIS (WR/LB) WHO’S BACK: KENT HENRY (QB, DB, PICTURED BELOW), NIC DRAPANAS (WR), DANIEL KUZJAK (WR), TOMMY MULLIN (OL/ DL), TREVOR HARLOW (RB/DB) WHO’S NEW: JOSH GIBSON (OL/DL), STEVEN HEARN (WR/DB), DONTE HENRY (OL/DL)

September 2012 :: 34

BUCKINGHAM COUNTY

KNIGHTS

JAMES RIVER DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 9-3 8/24 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@ @ vs. @ @ vs. @ vs. @ vs.

Appomattox Prince Edward Fluvanna County Amelia County Nottoway Randolph-Henry Central Cumberland Goochland Bluestone

WHO’S GONE: TARIAN AYRES (QB/DB), L.A. BRILEY (WR/DB), THOMAS MIDKIFF (OL/DL) WHO’S BACK: KYREE KOONCE (RB, PICTURED), CAM JOHNSON (QB/DB), KENNETH JOHNSON (RB/DB), JUSTIN MILES (OL/DL, RYAN JONES (OL/DL), JESSE HICKMAN (WR) WHO’S NEW: JUSTIN AYRES (WR/DB), LEON RAGLAND (DB)

GOOCHLAND

BULLDOGS JAMES RIVER DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 14-1 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/38 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

vs. @ vs. @ vs. vs. @ @ vs. @

Fluvanna County Fork Union Military Monticello Central Lunenburg Bluestone Nottoway Cumberland Randolph-Henry Buckingham Amelia County

WHO’S GONE: JESS MCLAUGHLIN (LB), ZAKELL JOHNSON (RB/DB), PATRICK CLORE (RB/LB), COLBY COOKE (K), THOMAS MEADOWS (P) WHO’S BACK: MITCHELL BRICE (RB, PICTURED BELOW), NATHAN ADAMS (LB/WR), JORDAN JEFFERSON (QB), JOSH DRIVER (OL/ DL), PASQUALE GRAZIOSI (OL/DL) WHO’S NEW: RALEIGH MARRIA (K/P)

35 :: scrimmageplay

Knights to hit the ground running All three of Buckingham County’s losses came to teams that made it to either an Eastern or Western Sectional final -- the elite eight of Group A Division 2 if you will – between Goochland, Amelia and King William. Two of those three are James River District foes.

Suffice it to say, the young returning talent for the Knights has been through the grind and seen arguably the toughest opponents it ever will.

Buckingham impressed a lot of people by making it to the playoffs a third straight year, and while they have significant holes to fill, getting to a fourth remains a very realistic possibility.

The loss of Tarian Ayres at quarterback and safety is the biggest hurdle for this team, but the shift of Cam Johnson from wide receiver to the team’s new signal caller will help greatly. Johnson is a straight-A student who brings a lot of speed to the position and will surprise a lot of defenses with his ability to throw downfield accurately. But between Johnson’s running skills, and the return of Kenneth Johnson and Kyree Koonce at running back, the argument could be made that the Knights don’t really need to worry about going to the air. After spelling each other and having very productive first years as featured backs, this running back duo will get to play on the field together

at the same time as coach Craig Gill wants opposing defenses to account for all three of his athletes in the backfield.

Should Gill and his staff get pass happy, Jesse Hickman is back and a capable threat in Justin Ayres comes into a bigger role, but the shift of Johnson to QB and loss of L.A. Briley has this receiver corps relatively green.

Up front, the Knights have three holes to fill but return Justin Miles and Ryan Jones who both started each game on the offensive line. Look for Demetrius Jones and Devin Smith to have an impact on the line.

Defensively the Knights have depth at linebacker and on the defensive line with the same names as on the offensive line doing the heavy lifting. Buckingham plans to be more aggressive on defense with what it has returning which could put pressure on a revamped secondary. There though, the coaching staff is excited about the athleticism Leon Ragland has and looks for a breakout season from the freshman.

With a new group of athletes taking over the leadership roles, Buckingham’s experience and overall talent has them right back where they left off, serious contenders for the JRD title. ✖

Bulldogs loaded for another run When Goochland was in its last year of Group AA play back in 2010, there was talk among fans and folks close to the program about how good the team could be when it returned to Group A. So far, so good.

Goochland’s 2011 squad advanced to the Group A, Division 2 state final with a mix of incredible defense, stellar special teams play and efficient offense. Now a number of critical players are back in the mix to try and give 2012 a happier ending than last year’s narrow defeat at the hands of Group A superpower Gretna.

Nathan Adams, a two-way force who earned second team All-Scrimmage Play honors last year, leads the way for the returners that are back in the mix, and he’ll move inside on a full-time basis in the Bulldogs’ 3-5-3 system, alleviating the graduation of current Randolph Macon linebacker Jess McLaughlin. He’ll be joined at linebacker by Scott Pearce, a small but formidable linebacker who has a knack for causing havoc. In the secondary, Mason Engel returns as a rock solid presence, but replacing Dasheem Norris and Zakell Johnson won’t be simple.

Offensively, the Wing-T continued to give squads fits last year, and while it’ll get a new triggerman with Jordan Jefferson likely to take over at quarterback for Cody Johnson, opponents can expect a big dose of the run as usual. Jefferson, a talented sophomore, will get a chance to hand off to Mitchell Brice, Nathan Mattox and David Dyer.

Dyer came on strong late last year after a slew of injuries, while Brice averaged 7.7 yards per carry and gained 759 yards and scoring nine touchdowns in 2011. Dyer (4.5 ypc in 2011), Mattox (5.4 ypc in 2011) and Brice will benefit from the presence of several veteran linemen. First team All-SP honoree Pasquale Graziosi, Josh Kitt, Roger Stone and Josh Driver all return.

The graduation of perhaps the finest Group A two-headed kicking game monster of Thomas Meadows and Colby Cooke complicates matters, but Raleigh Marria from the soccer squad appears to be the most likely candidate to assume those duties.

With so many key pieces back in place, expectations are again high in Goochland. Last year’s squad proved up to the task. Is 2012’s edition ready to get it done too? ✖

TJ TILLERY MONTICELLO SPEED GETS YOU ON THE FIELD as a defensive back. The ability to tackle makes you a safety. But when you can perfect one of the hardest jobs in the business, react to the run or pass and lay the wood, you’re a game changer. T.J. Tillery does all of that.

Tillery comes from a track and field back ground where his father is one of Central Virginia’s best coaches in that department.

He flies around the field like a centerfielder does on the diamond.

He sticks his nose in as many plays as he can. He makes the tackles on running backs just as effectively as on tight ends and receivers.

The middle linebacker position is often called the quarterback of the defense, but in so many ways, Tillery is the executioner of Monitcello’s defense. Opposing offenses want to shy away from him but where he lines up and given his range, that’s hard to do.

Were it not for his play at safety, the Mustangs would have been in a tight spot defensively as the middle of the field was an issue up front. With size being a great strength of this team now,

REACT Tillery has a chance to be a versatile defender where he can range from rover to pure defensive back on any given down. But at the end of the day, what separates him from the field as he enters his junior year is the experience he’s picked up. He’s no longer a green player making the most of his athleticism. Tillery is a more polished product, especially after his summer camp tour.

Last year he showed endurance by being able to play fullback and pave the way for Isaac Robinson to rush for more than 2,000 yards and still be an every down defender. This year he’ll get a chance to be a showcase running back and with his defensive skillset still so important to Monticello’s defense, he might well be the Jefferson District’s most valuable and maleable talent.

Each year Tillery’s made the next step, and what he has in store for 2012 will shape how the JD race plays. At the Group AA level, it’s hard for one athlete to do that. But there’s little question he’s up for the task.

September 2012 ::

36

M A D I S O N CO U N T Y

MOUNTAINEERS BULL RUN DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 3-7

8/24 8/31 9/14 9/21 9/38 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@ vs. vs. @ vs. @ vs. vs. @ @

East Rockingham Lurray Page County Manassas Park George Mason Clarke County William Monroe Strasburg Central Woodstock John Champe

WHO’S GONE: TRAVIS WARREN (WR/DB), GAGE BERRYMAN (OL/DL) WHO’S BACK: DUSTIN FARMER (QB, PICTURED), J.P. UTZ (OL/LB), JOSH LILLARD (OL/LB), MAURICE GENTRY (RB/DB), CLIFFORD FORTUNE WHO’S NEW: KENYON SMITH (OL/DL), COLE SMITH (WR/DB), JAMES GRAVES (WR/DB)

W WILLIAM MONROE M GREENE DRAGONS BULL RUN DISTRICT, 2010 RECORD: 7-4

8/24 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

vs. vs. @ vs. @ vs. @ vs. @ vs.

Nelson County Spotswood Broadway East Rockingham Strasburg Central Woodstock Madison County George Mason Manassas Park Clarke County

WHO’S GONE: ZACH DUPREY (TE/DL), STACEY WHITE (OL/DL), DOUG SIZEMORE (RB/LB), JORDAN GENTRY (WR/DB) WHO’S BACK: JACK MORRIS (QB, PICTURED BELOW), DAKWAN MORRIS (WR/DB), JOHNNY VILLERS (WR) WHO’S NEW: CODY PERKINS (RB), MALIK SUMMERS (TE/DL)

37 :: scrimmageplay

Madison looking for missing piece After making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, Madison County just couldn’t find the intangibles to make a third straight trip to the postseason.

The Mountaineers struggled on defense and at the end of the day for coach Stuart Dean, it was simply an issue of overall chemistry. As such, with so many players back in the mix, the focal point for this team going into the 2012 campaign is finding a way to gel together. If this group gets there, it has the talent to be a problem in the Bull Run District.

The best thing Madison has going for it to start is its two-way players in J.P. Utz and Josh Lillard. Both anchor the offensive line and both play large roles for the defensive front seven. Eastern View transfer Kenyon Smith will give his new team a third cog on both sides of the ball.

For senior quarterback Dustin Farmer, having those three up front is a must as he looks to help the Mountaineers put up the kind of passing yards he did in 2010. Farmer doesn’t have Travis Warren, his favorite target the previous two years to throw to this go around, but Cole Smith and James Graves are a pair of newcomers that should be fea-

tured in the aerial attack. In the backfield, Maurice Gentry was a bright spot for the Mountaineers last season and should enjoy favorable numbers again this year. Gentry’s speed makes him a breakaway threat. Daquan Minor also should see some carries to help balance out the group game.

Madison’s biggest woes came defensively last year. If Utz, Lillard, Kenyon Smith and Clifford Fortune can find a way to dominate the line of scrimmage, the Mountaineers will be in far better shape from the get go. Both Smith and Graves should offer options in the secondary and Logan Carpenter is a versatile tackler that can help out the front seven.

Madison is one of the few teams in the Bull Run this year that isn’t undergoing massive turnover. But even with so many pieces back for this group, simply that won’t be enough to do more than tread water. The Mountaineers need to be a different team against the run this year to avoid becoming a one-dimmensional offense constantly playing catch up. Should Madison come up improved defensively, it has a good opportunity to get back to the playoffs again. According to Dean, so much of that will to come down solidarity. ✖

Fresh crop to lead the way for Dragons If you don’t know that Mark Sanford is a no excuses-style coach by now, you haven’t been paying much attention.

That’s a big reason why William Monroe’s influx of sophomores in the starting lineup won’t be an excuse. In fact, it hardly bears mentioning for the coach despite the graduation of 14 seniors off last year’s edition of the Dragons. This is where Sanford, historically, has thrived. A smaller roster without a great deal of experience was, largely, par for the course when he was at Covenant.

These young Dragons will be fundamentally sound. They’ll find a way to run the ball effectively and efficiently, and Cody Perkins should jumpstart that process. While he isn’t the biggest back in the area, the tough sophomore hits the hole and runs hard on every carry. He won’t be the only one carrying the rock though, and the multiple options in the ground game should give Monroe multiple looks.

The return of Jack Morris should also open up and enhance that ground game. Morris threw for 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore, completing 58 percent of his passes while earning second team All-Bull Run honors. Morris can count

on senior wideout Dakwan Morris as well as Johnny Villers as pass catchers. Malik Summers, a senior who joined the squad this year, could emerge at tight end while he’s also playing defense.

A slew of new linemen step in with the graduation of last year’s large, powerful starting five that included road-grader Stacey White and current Elon tight end and accomplished run blocker Zach Duprey. Expect the Dragons to adjust accordingly and get more technical up front instead of just trying to muscle opposing fronts.

Defensively, the Dragons will also plug in a lot of new faces and getting the fundamentals down will be key. If the talented sophomores (there are more than 20 in the class) can seize the opportunity to play and compete, Monroe should get better at shutting down opposing offenses as the year goes on.

While the Bull Run is a challenging league, the Dragons will likely be competitive from the go because of the talent and strength of the sophomore class. If they can play beyond their years, Monroe can make some noise and put together a strong follow-up to last year’s playoff campaign. ✖

DOUG RANDOLPH WOODBERRY FOREST IT’S NO LONGER A TREND, it’s a tradition. When one elite Woodberry Forest defender commits to a major FCS school and graduates, there’s another one waiting. Doug Randolph came to the Tigers last season already with his scholarship offer from Stanford in his pocket. And if you watching Randolph play in coach Clint Alexander’s annually vaunted defense, it doesn’t take much imagination to understand what the Cardinal see in him.

Randolph can come at you in a variety of ways. He can put his hand down and lineup as defensive end. He can stand up and react and as a reliable linebacker. With the graduation of Nate Ripper, now at Richmond, Randolph will get more opportunities to creep up on the edge and be the kind of pass rushing linebacker seen in a lot of 3-4 schemes. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds the Woodberry senior moves like a defensive back but delivers the kind of punishment you’d expect from a defensive tackle. An outstanding student, he gets orders barked at him from the sideline on almost every play with the coaching staff expecting him to be able to read and react. But when the ball gets snapped, Randolph’s amazing

EXPLODE combination of power and agility result in a fury that all too often leaves opposing offenses vulnerable.

With the loss of so many starters on defense including Ripper, Rogers Clarke (NC State), C.J. Prosise (Notre Dame), Carlson Milikin (Virginia, lacrosse), it’s up to Randolph to lead the Tigers to another Prep League title behind a defensive-minded team. Those recent alums accomplished that when Ed Renoylds (Stanford) and Armaide Olanyian (UCLA) moved on after the 2009 season.

As good as he was last year, Randolph should further thrive in his expanded job. He’s not just the most feared member of this team’s front seven, he’ll also be getting a chance to play a little offense as a receiver. And while his primary role is to wrangle quarterbacks and running backs, possibly the only thing more frightening for the Tigers opponents than Randolph zeroing in for a tackle is having the ball in his hands where someone has to find a way to stop his momentum.

And as such, the tradition rolls along at Woodberry. One elite level recruit to another.

September 2012 ::

38

NELSON COUNTY

GOVERNORS

DOGWOOD DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 2-8 8/28 8/31 9/7 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@ @ @ @ @ vs. @ vs. @ vs.

William Monroe Central Riverheads Hargrave Military Appomattox Dan River Altavista Gretna William Campbell Chatham

WHO’S GONE: RODRELL SMITH (RB/LB) WHO’S BACK: TYLER VEST (QB/DB, PICTURED BELOW), DANIEL ELLIS (OL), HOMER BARNETT (OL/DL), KEENAN PATRICK (LB) WHO’S NEW: DEVONTE TURNER (RB)

ALBEMARLE

PATRIOTS

COMMONWEALTH DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 3-7 8/24 8/31 9/7 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@ vs. @ @ vs. vs. @ vs. vs. @

Western Albemarle Monticello Colonial Forge Orange Mountain View Stafford North Stafford Brooke Point Riverbend Massaponax

WHO’S GONE: LEE CARNEAL (QB), TIMMY AKER (WR), MICAH RIVERS (LB/RB) WHO’S BACK: NICO TROCHE (RB, PICTURED BELOW), DAVID CHAPMAN (OL/DL), RYAN LONDREE (OL/DL), A.J. WILLY (WR), DRAKE BRYANT (RB/DB), ELI MACKAY (LB), JORDAN SHELTON (LB) WHO’S NEW: PEYTON ALLEY (QB)

39 :: scrimmageplay

Building on late momentum Sure, it’s just a pair of wins. But after a couple of years of frustration against a murderer’s row of a schedule, Nelson County’s two-win finish to 2011 means momentum for the first time since Mark Wells took over as head coach.

Now comes the tough part — translating backto-back wins into more of the same a year later against another challenging schedule.

With Tyler Vest back in the fold at quarterback and safety, the Governors have something to build around. Vest is a dynamic athlete who can get the job done on the run or with his arm. The senior has been a major factor for the past couple of years in the Nelson lineup in some form or fashion, so he’s game-tested as well. If he can dole out the kind of punishment he did in early scrimmages from his safety spot, Nelson should be improved defensively.

Vest will take snaps behind a big, sturdy line, but the Governors’ front five is still bringing all the pieces together. Senior Daniel Ellis and junior Homer Barnett are a couple of the key building blocks.

Barnett checks in at around 270 pounds while Ellis is around 280. That’s a sizeable Group A line, even in the loaded Dogwood District, home to several

solid programs including Division 2 state champion Gretna.

They’ll clear the way for Vest and Devonte Turner, who’ll step into the starting lineup at tailback after being Rodrell Smith’s understudy in 2011, the Governors’ tailback who rushed for 900 yards last season. Turner has a good initial burst and hits the hole hard, which won’t allow defenses to key solely off Vest.

On the defensive side of the ball, Keenan Patrick returns at middle linebacker after an injury-riddled 2011. He’ll have to get used to reading, reacting and attacking from that spot as the Governors face some of the state’s toughest rushing attacks. Look for Vest to make a lot of plays in the run game as his speed allows him to get downfield quickly.

Still, Nelson has to overcome a loaded slate, with out-of-district games against William Monroe and Riverheads to open as part of a five-game road slate that starts the year. If Nelson can scratch out a couple of wins during that span, they’ll be in good shape when they finally host in Lovingston in October against Dan River.

That’s certainly possible, since, for the first time in awhile, Nelson can ride a little momentum. ✖

Patriots forging ahead with depth There were a handful of losses last year where Albemarle was just a bounce away from having things go its way. Finally at the end of the year, the Patriots saw it come together as they found a way to slip past Massaponax.

It’s a moment that Mike Alley, entering his third season as coach, hopes to build around. And the exciting part for him and his staff is that they finally feel like they have the depth to truly compete in the Commonwealth District.

While the Patriots have some questions marks to work through on offense, they have strength on the other side of the ball to give them time to work it out. Ryan Londree’s play on the defensive line was crucial for Albemarle last year and he will only be better this year as he brings unique athleticism to his massive frame. He also has the help of David Chapman to balance the line. But behind those two, Albemarle has depth at linebacker with Eli Mackay and Jordan Shelton back in the fold. In the secondary the Patriots will be able to count on Drake Bryant and Benton Shanck making this the most well rounded defense Albemarle’s fielded in years.

Offensively, it’ll be up Peyton Alley to fill in at

quarterback for the loss of Lee Carneal. The coach’s son grew up learning this offense and has a firm grasp of it at the high school level, even if he’s only a sophomore. The new quarterback will benefit greatly if he has receiver A.J. Willy at full health, something that Carneal didn’t have last season. A newcomer to varisty football but already a household lacrosse name, Matt Crist brings speed and raw athleticism to the receiver position as well. Nico Troche will be back at running back and should get some help with Bryant carrying some of the work load. Dominique Talley transferred back to Albemarle after a year at Covenant and can fill in as an all-around offensive weapon as well.

Playing in a nine-team district like the CD, the Patriots get very little time to ready themselves for the big dogs like North Stafford and Brooke Point.

The out-of-district duo of Western Albemarle and Monticello should help greatly there as both of those inter-county rivals are coming off playoff seasons and offer early measuring stick games.

Albemarle’s taken some solid steps the last two years, but true progress for this team will be flirting with a winning record in one of the deepest and most hotly-contested districts in the state. ✖

scrimmageplay.smugmug.com real game photos for real fans

Success stories begin here.

Success Story: Michael Thomas It took little time for Michael Thomas to generate buzz in Columbus, and not just because he’s former NFL All-Pro receiver Keyshawn Johnson’s cousin. Thomas’ 12 catches for 131 yards made him Ohio State’s breakout performer during the Buckeyes spring practice.

He also did it against a significantly experienced secondary. As such, OSU fans are primed about the kind of production the freshman is going to put out this year in first year coach Urban Meyer’s offense.

But less than a year ago, Thomas’ college destination was up in the air.

As a high school senior in 2010 at Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley, Thomas caught 86 passes and accumulated 1,656 yards, the most in the state of California. He had 21 touchdowns but was rated the 98th-best receiver in the country according to Scout.com. So to fine

tune his game and better prepare himself for college, Thomas chose to enroll at Fork Union and play for the Blue Devils’ storied post graduate team coached by John Shuman.

For the 2011 season, Thomas caught 23 passes for 497 yards and seven TDs. Along the way he picked up offers from Boise St., Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma St, UCLA and Ohio State. Ranked the 4th best post graduate player in the country, Thomas chose to become a Buckeye at the end of October.

Thomas enrolled at OSU for the spring semester and is entering as a projected starter for the Buckeyes where he and quarterback Braxton Miller look to lead their team to the kind of success that is expected on an annual basis in Columbus.

Thomas has been on an interesting journey the last few years. But it looks like he’s just getting started.

Fork Union Military Academy is the leading Christian military boarding school for boys in grades 6 - 12 and PG. www.forkunion.com — 1-800-GO-2-FUMA

Hornets trying to find feet in CD Quite simply, 2011’s season didn’t go the way Orange County wanted it. The Hornets floundered in year one of their stay in Group AAA, posting a dismal 1-9 record with no wins against AAA squads and an 0-9 record in district play.

Orange enters that gauntlet again in 2012 and they’ve got holes to fill again this year as they jump back into the Commonwealth District fray.

Isaiah Ferguson, an electric return man and a promising running back returns to lead the charge for Orange on offense, but with the graduation of do-it-all Tyler Seal, Ferguson is going to have to grow into a larger role quickly. The transfer of quarterback Eric Washington to Courtland also complicates matters, though Garrett Johnson, a sophomore, saw time last year and junior Damian Clark could get into the mix as well.

Whoever steps in as the signal-caller will have at least one key option back in the passing game in senior tight end Cameron Rickett. Rickett showed flashes of ability last season including a three catch, 71-yard performance against Riverbend.

As a junior, Ferguson faced some tough sledding and rushed for nearly 300 yards as the Orange offense sputtered against the deep, attacking defenses of the Commonwealth. But Ferguson

should get a boost from the emergence of Ben Hargett, a junior offensive lineman, up front. He’ll pair with junior Jacob Pugh to give the Hornets a solid core to build around. Getting the line to play as a unit would go a long way toward producing a more effective offensive attack in 2011.

Defensively, the Hornets will need to come together as well after surrendering 31 or more points in every game last year, including the lone win, a 34-31 barnburner with Culpeper High at home.

Antonio Murphy has shown some promise along the defensive line, but with Landon Rasnick and several other key contributors gone on that side of the ball, there’s work to be done early in the season. The Hornets, in particular, have to stop the run. In a district that runs the ball awfully well, that’s got to come first. They odds aren’t good Orange will be able to stifle those rushing attacks with bulk either—few teams are big enough to do that. Instead, the Hornets will have to turn to the squad’s overall team speed to take some chances at creating stops.

If that speed can gain a foothold and at least slow down opposing attacks, there’s the potential on offense to pile up a few points. That’s critical to make Orange’s 2012 season look different than 2011. ✖

ORANGE COUNTY

HORNETS

COMMONWEALTH DISTRICT, 2011 RECORD: 1-9 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 11/26 11/2

vs. @ vs. vs. vs. @ @ @ vs. @

Louisa County Culpeper Stafford Albemarle Brooke Point Massaponax Riverbend Colonial Forge Mountain View North Stafford

WHO’S GONE: TYLER SEAL (WR/QB/DB), DION HILL (OL/DL), ERIC WASHINGON (QB) WHO’S BACK: ISAIAH FERGUSON (RB, PICTURED BELOW), JACOB PUGH (OL), GARRET JOHSON (QB), DAMIAN CLARK (QB), CAMERON RICKETT (TE) WHO’S NEW: ANTONIO MURPHY (DL), BEN HARGETT (OL)

BLUE RIDGE

New-look offense for Barons

BARONS

It wasn’t too long ago that Blue Ridge was competing for a state title in football, falling to NansemondSuffolk just three years ago in the 2009 Division 2 title game. If second-year head coach Orlando Patterson has his way, it won’t be long before the Barons are right back at it.

Blue Ridge limped its way to a 5-4 record in 2011, capping the season with back-to-back losses to St. Anne’s-Belfield and eventual state champion Christchurch, the second a 41-8 blowout coming in the Division 2 playoffs’ first round. But considering it was Patterson’s first year as a head coach and that the Barons struggled to find consistency at quarterback early on before Lance Gray emerged, there were elements in the campaign to build on.

This year, as usual, the Barons will have a largely new look, but a few key returners will help jumpstart the learning curve when the squad gets together later in August. The versatile Shawn Steen returns as a wide receiver/defensive back/kicker combination that should make an impact in all phases. There’s also junior wideout/defensive back Leon Straus and fullback/linebacker Jared Arntzen who should be key factors on both sides of the ball. Straus had 3.1 tackles

9/8 9/14 9/22 9/27 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/26 11/2

per game in the secondary last year while averaging 18 yards per catch as a receiver. Arntzen was the squad’s third best tackler with 9.6 stops per game. He had 61 solo stops on the year.

Replacing Lance Gray will be another matter.

The senior led the Barons in tackling at linebacker while rushing for 240 yards and throwing for 497 as a quarterback. He was one of the area’s most versatile players and the Barons need some help to fill the spot and hopefully make the quarterback slot a little more productive. Enter Jimmy Connor, a senior transfer at quarterback who came from New Jersey’s Blair Academy and will likely step into the role of running Patterson’s offense. If Connor can develop quickly and take advantage of the athletes around him, Blue Ridge will get a jumpstart against an early season schedule.

Mujahid Fricke, another New Jersey transfer, will likely settle in at linebacker, joining Arntzen to give the Barons a solid foundation at that spot.

While that early slate should put Blue Ridge in a good position, the Barons will have to close out the year with tough oppnonents again. Surviving that gauntlet, no matter how solid the first half of the season is, will likely determine BRS’ playoff fate. ✖

OLD DOMINION CONFERENCE, 2011 RECORD: 5-5 vs. @ vs. @ vs. @ vs. @ @

Hargrave Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot North Cross Covenant St. Stephen’s-St. Agnes Christchurch Virginia Episcopal Liberty Christrian St. Anne’s-Belfield

WHO’S GONE: MAYN FRANCISCO (RB/LB), ANDRE ROBERTS (QB/WR), LANCE GREY (QB/LB) WHO’S BACK: JARED ARNTZEN (RB/LB PICTURED BELOW), DARRYL SMITH (WR/ DB), SHAWN STEEN (WR/DB/KR), LEON STRAUS (RB/LB) WHO’S NEW: MUJAHID FRICKE (LB), JIMMY CONNOR (QB)

September 2012 :: 42

NATHAN ADAMS GOOCHLAND UPON DISCOVERING THAT Goochland linebacker Nathan Adams was back for the Bulldogs in 2012, one coach of a team on the Bulldogs’ schedule simply dropped his head and muttered under his breath.

That’s respect.

Adams can take away an entire side of the field if he’s on the edge as an outside linebacker. You can run it his way, roll out his way, try and throw it into the flats, whatever. It’s not going far. Even if you try and play toward the other side, if you don’t account for him, he’s going to run you down.

Put him inside the tackle box as a middle linebacker and he can wreak all kinds of havoc. He can slash through the line and put pressure on the quarterback or read the play and stuff a gap as the running back hits the hole.

Adams is fast, strong and heady. He’s consistent, rarely out of position and reads and reacts as good as anyone at the high

43 :: scrimmageplay 43 :: scrimmageplay

FINISH school level. In short? He’s exactly what any high school coach is looking for in a linebacker, and, in particular, exactly what Goochland is looking for in a 3-5-3 system that puts a ton of emphasis on linebackers.

Adams doubles as a wide receiver for the state runner-up Bulldogs (338 yards on just 13 catches for four touchdowns in 2011), but it’s on defense that the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior shines. Last season he was overshadowed by Group A defensive player of the year Jess McLaughlin, but he and fellow linebacker Scotty Pearce combined with their heralded teammate to form one of the state’s best linebacking corps. Pearce also returns this season, giving the Bulldogs a solid foundation to build around on that side of the ball.

Adams is versatile and he’s obviously gained a lot of respect.

If he keeps getting it done in 2012 like he did in 2011, he and the Bulldogs might be booking a charter to Salem again.

September 2012 ::

43

Continuity the key for Eagles Same coach, same system and a lot of the same faces. That’s actually something new for Covenant as it had a coaching carousel after the 2008 season that is finally over.

Dave Rocco enters his second season with the Eagles after he took an incredibly young team and found a way to double its win total in 2011 from the season before. This group which had to take its lumps last fall is now a year stronger and wiser and with Rocco and an expanded coaching staff, the program has a real opportunity to grow.

The Eagles’ wins against Virginia Episcopal and Massanutten were high points for a team that endured a tough start, but if there are such things as moral victories, Covenant found them in close losses to Blue Ridge, Norfolk and Trinity Episcopal.

Now as so many players return, this team has the chance to try and convert those losses into wins.

Austin Llera emerged as a solid weapon for the Eagles late in the year and between himself and Jamie Gaston, Covenant has an experienced backfield with different running styles. Up front on the line, Clark Crutchfield will be missed but Teddy Morris, Ray Rushton and Jackson Steljes will help fill the void. The team started its camp looking for its starter at quarterback.

Senior Brady Doyle brings game experience to the position, but Gus Rose is a possibility there as well.

Doyle can play receiver as well but a pair of Monticello transfers in Jay and Drew Gaffney offer the Eagles two skilled athletes to use on the edge of the field. Covenant is going to the spread to try and capitalize on its team speed instead of being overmatched in tight set by its lack of size up front.

Spencer Godine and Jordan Hendrix anchor the secondary. Llera leads the linebackers, but Hernon Henderson could help offer more depth.

But if you’re looking for the brightest spot for Covenant last year and arguably the most important athelete Rocco has, it’s John Meade who is receiving strong interest from FCS (formerly Division I-AA) colleges. Meade was an animal on the defensive line as both a sure tackler in the middle of the field and as a pass rusher. Offensively, he was standout on the line but Rocco wants move him to tight end if the team can find the depth up front to showcase his ability as a blocker that can break off and catch passes.

The bottom line at Covenant this year is it’s finally about progress in the midst of stability. It’s been a while, but the Eagles are ready to move in the right direction with what they have back. ✖

Blue Devils going prime-time It’s not easy for the members of the four-team Prep League to fill out a schedule, so few in the private sector want to play a big VISAA Division 1 opponent.

So football coach and athletic director Micky Sullivan has to get creative about it.

This year his Blue Devils will be the first private school in Virginia to play on national television when they open up their year on ESPN against public powerhouse, Group AAA’s Hermitage on a neutral field in Chesapeake. Outside of that, Fork Union has a pair of teams with postrgraduates to look forward to and another pair of strong public programs in Goochland and Powhatan. That’s the gauntlet this team gets to look forward to until October.

The good news? Their quarterback is considered by many including ESPN to be the top signal caller in the country. And entering his senior year, Christian Hackenberg is poised to prove the accoaldes accurate.

The Fork Union offense will miss athletic receiver D.J. Randle-el, but with Austin Stone coming back after an injury-marred 2011 and the potential of Malcolm Cook, Hackenberg has solid receivers to

work with. In the backfield, T.J. Dudley returns after he too endured a significant injury last year. Jeremy Bell should help all-around athlete as well. With stalwart John Tu’uta’s graduation, it’ll be up to Mitchell Birkhead and Marc Uptegraff to anchor the offensive line. Both A.J. Higgins and D’Andre Rice should help up front as well.

On the other side of the ball, Higgins and Rice will also need to step up to fill the production that Conlan Cassidy provided last year. Dondre Wright gives FUMA a solid core to build around at linebacker. Cook, Isaiah Wright and Tyrone McDade provide a lot of athleticism in the secondary.

Coming off of a 4-6 season, the Blue Devils look much improved on paper. But FUMA needs to survive its first five games before it begins PL play.

There’s no question that Hackenberg and company have a bullseye on their backs thanks to the national attention the star quarterback and program have garnered. Were this team to finish 2-3 or 3-2 in the league there would provide a lot of confidence to make another run at a state title. ✖

COVENANT

EAGLES

OLD DOMION CONFERENCE, 2011 RECORD: 2-8 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/27 10/4 10/13 10/19 10/27 11/2

@ vs. vs. @ vs. vs. @ vs. @ @

Christchurch Fishburne Hargrave Massanutten Blue Ridge Norfolk Virginia Episcopal St. Anne’s-Belfield North Cross Trinity Episcopal

WHO’S GONE: CLARK CRUTCHFIELD (OL/DL), DOMINIQUE TALLEY (RB/LB) WHO’S BACK: JOHN MEADE (OL/DL, PICTURED BELOW), BRADY DOYLE (QB), JAMIE GASTON (RB/DB), AUSTIN LLERA (RB/LB) WHO’S NEW: DREW GAFFNEY (WR/LB), JAY GAFFNEY (QB/DB)

FORK UNION

BLUE DEVILS PREP LEAGUE, 2011 RECORD: 4-6 8/25 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/22 9/29 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@ @ @ @ vs. vs. @ vs. @ @ vs.

Hermitage (@ Oscar Smith) Georgetown Prep (MD) Goochland Powhatan Christchurch Valley Forge (PA) St. Christopher’s Liberty Christian Collegiate Benedictine Woodberry Forest

WHO’S GONE: D.J. RANDLE-EL (WR/DB), JOHN TU’UTA (OL/DL), CONLAN CASSIDY (DL) WHO’S BACK: CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG (QB, PICTURED BELOW), DONDRE WRIGHT (LB), MITCHELL BIRKHEAD (OL/DL), QUADARIS NEWKIRK (WR/DB), AUSTIN STONE (WR/LB), T.J. DUDLEY (RB/LB) WHO’S NEW: MALCOLM COOK (WR/DB), JEREMY BELL (RB/WR), D’ANDRE RICE (OL/DL)

September 2012 :: 44

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Saints to play to strengths St. Anne’s-Belfield knows how to play to its offensive strengths. The Saints have a knack for re-working and re-tooling around whatever the talent in the program contains at the time.

Under long time coach John Blake, when Charlie Murray emerged as a pocket passing marvel in 2010, STAB opened up the offense. When Branford Rogers and the ground game started clicking in 2011, the Saints pounded it out.

This year is no different, as the Saints build around sophomore quarterback Jake Allen and his talents. Allen’s baptism by fire as a freshman starter has paid off in a sophomore with the ability to get the job done with his legs and with arm on roll-outs and play action. With the strides he’s made in the offseason, the Saints can re-tool to his strengths and put more on the young standout’s shoulders.

Allen has tools to work with too, with Rob Schotta, a dynamic presence in the slot and in the secondary. Schotta, who’s also a standout lacrosse player, is deceptively quick and has solid hands.

Allen should have time to throw too, with key linemen like center Nathan Silver, Walker Upchurch and Evan Moore-Coll in the fold. Will Eppard could be a factor at either tight end or at tackle.

Replacing Rogers, who is headed to Rutgers to play lacrosse, is no easy task, but two big, rugged backs are ready to step in. Bobby Nicholson or Justin Paton will carry the load, potentially with the other playing fullback. Nicholson is a talented power runner who should give the Saints a reliable ground game. Paton came to STAB from South Africa as a basketball standout but a rugby background should help his learning curve on the gridiron.

The last time a South African basketball player joined STAB’s football team, it went pretty well.

Quincy September went from hoopster to William and Mary defensive end, so the track record is there for Paton to be successful.

STAB has some parts back on the defensive line like Aaron Stinnie and in the secondary with Schotta, but linebacker is a hole, at least early in camp.

Two years ago, the Saints were loaded enough at the spot that they had to move players to other positions, but the graduation of Antione Currie and Shane Palmateer has left a void. If the Saints can shake that out, the defense should come together.

After all, STAB has a gift for adjusting, filling holes and playing to its strengths. They’ll find a way to do it in 2012 too. ✖

ST. ANNE ’S -BELFIELD

SAINTS

OLD DOMINION CONFERENCE, 2011 RECORD: 5-5 8/31 9/8 9/14 9/21 9/29 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@ @ vs. vs. vs. @ @ @ vs. vs.

Bishop Sullivan Virginia Episcopal St. Christopher’s Trinity Episcopal Flint Hill North Cross Collegiate Covenant Christchurch Blue Ridge

WHO’S GONE: SHANE PALMATEER (RB/LB) BRANFORD ROGERS (RB), CHARLES SIPE (LB), JOSH GIBSON (OL/DL), DYLAN PARK (WR) WHO’S BACK: JAKE ALLEN (QB), NATHAN SILVA (OL/LB), AARON STINNIE (DL), ROB SCHOTTA (WR/DB) WHO’S NEW: JUSTIN PATON (RB), BOBBY NICHOLSON (RB/DB)

WOODBERRY FOREST

Putting the puzzle together again

TIGERS

Forty-two seniors. Eleven college football players. Their starting quarterback and at least three truly elite athletes in that group of seniors — Notre Dame football’s C.J. Prosise, UVa lacrosse’s Carlson Milikin and unblockable N.C. State walk-on Rogers Clark. That’s what Woodberry Forest lost.

But that kind of turnover isn’t new for this school. The Tigers have won eight games each of the last four years as the program’s renaissance under head coach Clint Alexander continues.

While this year won’t be an easy turn, winning has become an expectation in the Forest.

Now the leadership mantle on defense falls to two players in particular, Doug Randolph and rising star Greer Martini. Both Randolph and Martini emerged last year as impact players. Martini’s ball-hawking and big play ability made him a turnover machine at middle linebacker while Randolph attacked opposing offenses from all angles. While Randolph is committed to Stanford next season, Martini has committed to Notre Dame as part of the class of 2014.

With those two providing a lot of dynamic talent, Alexander should be able to craft another solid defensive unit. Look for seniors Nik Gjika and

9/7 9/15 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/20 10/27 11/2 11/10

Will Tucker in the secondary as well as John Williams up front to step into key roles. Young talents like Nathaniel Tyrell and H.T. Minor could also get into the mix on defense.

Offensively, there are a lot of key parts in place including tailback Christian Asher and key offensive linemen Phillip Berry, Spencer Bibb and Andrew Shoffner. That quartet should allow the Tigers to get the ground game clicking early in the season. The departure of Heys McMath hurts at quarterback, but Jacob Rainey is returning and plans to play with a prosthesis on his right leg after last year’s devastating injury. Rainey, Vance Spilman and Hunter Ethridge are among the players who’ll vie for time at quarterback. They’ll be throwing to a slew of new pass-catchers after the Tigers’ top two tight ends and wideouts graduated. Seniors Sam Miller, Matty Sheeehan and Ty Abdul-Karim could be factors.

As usual, the schedule will be challenging for Woodberry, including the first four weeks. If Alexander’s youngest squad since he took over seven years ago can survive those early hazards, the Tigers have the potential to take some giant leaps forward and become a formidable presence by midseason. ✖

PREP LEAGUE, 2011 RECORD: 8-2 vs. vs. @ vs. vs. @ vs. @ @ vs.

Benedictine Blair Paul VU Charlottee Country Day Collegiate Landon School Kiski Prep (PA) St. Christopher’s Fork Union Episcopal

WHO’S GONE: ROGERS CLARK (DL) HEYS MCMATH (QB), CJ PROSISE (DB, KR/PR), NATE RIPPER (LB), CARLSON MILIKIN (DB) WHO’S BACK: GREER MARTINI (LB, PICTURED BELOW) JACOB RAINEY (QB), DOUG RANDOLPH (DL/LB), CHRISTIAN ASHER (RB/ DL), PHILLIP BERRY (OL) WHO’S NEW: SAM MILLER (WR), MATTY SHEEHAN (WR), NATHANIEL TYRELL (DB)

September 2012 :: 46

MAGGIE KOOKEN

20 QUESTIONS FOR THE FALL VOLLEYBALL Before any season begins there are nothing but question marks. Here, we’ve got 20 questions between four fall sports.

1/

How does Western Albemarle reload to keep its JD streak intact?

To ask whether or not this team will be back in fine form is an insult to the program’s history over the last decade. Yes Western Albemarle’s had great senior classes, but since 2005 it hasn’t really mattered how many players have moved on in one given year, much less how talented that group was because the next great crop of players has always been there to scoop up the pieces.

Losing the program’s most successful setter in Riley Martin, last season’s top hitter in Katie Rossberg and the team’s ever reliable libero in Marin Crowder stings. But between Maggie Kooken and Laura Bergin, the Warriors have firepower up front and pair of seniors who’ve been instrumental since their sophomore seasons in this team’s continued success. Their experience and ability to provide leadership are the foundation for this season.

Outside of that senior duo, there’s another poised to rise to the occasion this season in expanded roles. Both Peyton Brookins and Devon Via took advantage of their time in the rotation up front and have the talent provide this team with depth to help keep opposing blocking attacks from zeroing in on Kooken and Bergin.

Still, while offense still looks strong, arguably the biggest key for Western as it begins will be how Lauren Riefsteck and Marina Clark step in at setter and libero. Those two positions were huge strengths for the team in the past and they’ll need their newest additions to find a way to break through in 2013 to have the kind of success they did last year as they qualified for the Group AA tournament after winning the Jefferson and Region II titles. ✖

47 :: scrimmageplay

Hannah Miller

What does Albemarle have in store after its 2011 rebuild

Fluvanna County Senior JD player of the year 1st team All-Region II

It’s very rare that Albemarle has a season where they have to essentially start from scratch but the Patriots, outside of setter Jessica Block, had to do just that in 2011. Albemarle surprised some during that run by finding a way to compete for a Northwest Region bid despite its youth. With Block back and libero Caroline Porco returning after a strong year, the Patriots have two seniors with valuable experience in arguably the two toughest areas, the defense and passing attack.

Offensively. this team will look a lot stronger as the team’s kills leader, Sarah Woods returns.

Chelsea Woodfolk also garnered a lot of experience as a hitter last year. Hannah Deal and Mariah Perch, both juniors offer depth up front with both looking to have major impacts. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots wind up getting back to the kind of winning they saw between 2007 and 2010.

IS this deja vu but with different programs?

Last year the senior exodus bug hit Nelson County. This year St. Anne’s Belfield has to find a way to fill the loss up front by Morgan Thacker and Trent Holden. Losing setter Nikkita Brionnes doesn’t help either. But the one thing that the Saints have that just about every team both public and private would die for is a two-way talent with the kind of experience Allie Nicholoson has. Tall, athletic and more than capable of being up front and hammering way while also dropping back and paying defense, the STAB senior is the building block this year for the program. By most standards, the Saints are reconfiguring their roster, but with the keys to the car fully in Nicholson’s hands, STAB could use her much in the same way Nelson County used standout Ashley Wells in 2011 – relentlessly. Diversity is always great, but sometimes teams can win by cheating the trend and just going to the same player over and over again. If there’s one team facing a similar dilemma to the Governors’ last year, it’s St. Anne’s. And STAB’s fortunate enough to have similar talent to get behind for a winning season.

5/

Allie Nicholson

What kind of swan song does Hannah Miller have in her?

There are not a lot of volleyball players that start for four years, much less play at a high level in each one. Fluvanna’s Hannah Miller comes into the year as the Jefferson District’s most notorious hitter after winning player of the year honors for a team that finished one game shy of earning a second straight Region II berth. But while last season ended just a bit short of hopes, the Flucos’ centerpiece showed both unselfishness and versatility throughout the year as she often stepped up on defense and allowed younger players to try and step in a provide variety on offense rather than just forcing shots through well established blocks.

This year, Miller isn’t working with a team of new role players. The Flucos need a new setter after Sammi Toy’s graduation but so many role players return in Maddie Kline, Taylor Beck, Hannah Meador and Emily Haden. That group will have greater comfort this year after last season which should allow Miller to thrive as the all-around talent she is. She owns a handful of school records already. Look for her to pad those stats and make another run for the JD’s POY, something that is very rarely won twice in a row by the same player. And if she’s on her usual game and those around her continue their growth, this team can challenge for a chance to play in the Region II tournament.

4/

Albemarle Senior 1st team All-CD

Who’s waiting in the weeds to play spoiler?

Both Madison County and Nelson County have playoff streaks intact but adversity to overcome. The Mountaineers turned over a lot of talent but could make noise in the Bull Run behind Tyree Chapat up front. The Governors don’t have Ashley Wells, but Emily Stotmeister looks to be the big hitter in Lovingston. And at Monticello, senior Charlotte Devine could help the Mustangs get back to their 2010 ways and be a major factor in the Jefferson District.

St. Anne’s-Belfield Senior 1st team All-LIS

Charlotte Devine Monticello Senior 2nd team All-JD

CAREER YEAR A quick look at the records Hannah Miller already owns at FCHS entering her senior year.

900 388 152 CAREER KILLS

3/

Caroline Porco

CAREER BLOCKS

2/

4 PLAYERS TO WATCH

KILLS IN A SEASON

20 QUESTIONS

September 2012 :: 48

AUSTIN BATTEN

FIVE FOR GOLF

1/

Who’s the team with the most on the table?

Last year three senior-laden teams came into the season with big hopes. Considering the hype, it was an impressive outcome with Western Albemarle winning the Group AA championship, Monticello qualifying for the Group AA tournament and winning the Region II title and Albemarle winning the Commonwealth District.

But with so many quality seniors on those three teams, there’s a void to fill.

The best title contender may well rest in Stanardsville where a William Monroe team brings back the core of its talent as it lost just one senior. This is a team that finished fifth as a team in the 2011 Group A tournament but was just 11 strokes from a second place finish and 29 behind champion Galax. Four Dragons finished in the top 20 in the championship including Logan Yates leading the way at seventh, Austin Batten close behind in 13th, Ben Bohlman in 17th and Brian Snow in 18th. That quartet gives this team impressive depth and both Yates and Batten give Monroe the ability to count on two consistent performances who both go out aiming for low scores. Jason Bell, who finished 21st last year should challenge those four this year too giving this group what it needs, true competition to be one of the four scoring members of the team.

Last year, Western’s success wasn’t defined by one of its seniors going out and having an insane round. Instead of raising the ceiling, the Warriors lifted the floor and lowered the third and fourth score to force the opposition to find an answer. With Monroe in 2012, it could be more of the same. These tournaments aren’t about having the best golfer in the state, but instead about having the best overall depth.

49 :: scrimmageplay

Austin Kelliher

Where does Western go from last year’s triumph?

Madison County Sophomore Group A qualifier for the Mountaineers

Alex O’Dell, Brett Engle, Landon Weis and Brett Warnick were the top four scorers for Western Albemarle in its state championship round. All four are gone. The Warriors will turn to their fifth and sixth place golfers to provide the kind of consistency the class of 2012 did last fall. As a sophomore, Hunter Weis challenged the top four scorers last year on a regular basis and Kyle Landis showed great promise for this team as a freshman. Kent Miller has the ability to go low too. Landis is coming into summer riding some momentum as he won the 15-18 age group during the VSGA Tour in Williamsburg, potentially giving Western another kind talent in the mold of O’Dell and Patrick Leisure before him.

Western is relying on underclassmen this year and while this program’s had success in getting past the Region II tournament going back to 2007, expectations should be realistic. The Warriors need three or four reliable players to be able to get back to the Group AA tournament. But considering this program’s success in rolling out one talented team after another for the last five years, why would anyone expect things to be different now?

Western Albemarle Sophomore Provided depth for Group AA champion as a freshman

Is there another surprise contender in the JD?

Powhatan figures to be the wildcard at the top of the JD after it lost just one senior. The Indians finished out front in the first JD mini-match of the season which is a shot across the bow. But with Charlottesville not graduating a single player and both Phillip Hoffman and Rob Bergland making the Region II tournament last year, the Black Knights have experience and talent to build on.

Louisa County also has seven athletes returning including two regional qualifiers of its own in Joseph Azurin and Nick Morris. Between the Black Knights and Lions, this should be a much deeper JD field.

Alex Simmons

Albemarle Senior Provided depth for CD champion

STATE EXPERIENCE Performing at the highest level isn’t easy, but four returning golfers posted solid scores in at least one day of the 2-day Group AA and A tournaments.

86 81

79 RYAN PACE (MONTICELLO)

Who will pace Albemarle for another CD run?

For almost a decade the Commonwealth District has run through Albemarle both during the regular season and playoffs. The loss of Lauren Eklund and Tony Liu is a big blow to coach Greg Maynard’s Patriots. With two of its top four returning in Caleb Martin and Alex Simmons, Albemarle will head into the season as the team still to beat in the CD. But the thorn in this team’s side has been matching their play in the CD tournament at the next event in the Northwest Region championship. For the last two years getting into the Group AAA has eluded Albemarle, but having two players in Martin and Simmons who took their game to new levels last year, should put the Patriots very close to where they left off last year. Now those two just need to have a couple of teammates to help round out a healthy top-4.

5/

Hunter Weis

What does Monticello have in store now?

Monticello also faces an uphill battle as it lost its top three golfers in Evan Childress, Kevin Archer and Carson Wilmer. But with Ryan Pace and Michael Comer giving the Mustangs their respective third and sixth top scorers from the Group AA tournament back in the mix, coach Pam Bradley has a solid core of experience to build around.

As a freshman and sophomore, Comer was regularly at the top of the pack for the Mustangs as they turned the program into a reliable Region II player. Monticello took a big step forward last year by not just making the state field, but by winning the Region II tournament outright. For this program to contend, it’ll need Comer, now a senior, to find the form he had in the first half of his high school golfing career. Fellow senior Whitney Pace is looking to provide some more senior level play to try and crack the top four. Ryan Pace leads a group of four promising sophomores. Junior Nate Fox is a promising newcomer to the Mustangs. Between the senior duo, the sophomore quartet and Fox, Monticello hopes to continue to be one the top dogs in the Jefferson District and Region II fields.

4/

William Monroe Sophomore Seventh place Group A, reliable low-scorer for Dragons

HUNTER WEIS (WESTERN)

3/

Logan Yates

73

AUSTIN KELLIHER (MADISON)

2/

4 PLAYERS TO WATCH

LOGAN YATES (MONROE)

20 QUESTIONS

September 2012 :: 50

OLIVIA HAJEK

FIVE FOR FIELD HOCKEY

1/

CAn a loaded returning group lead WAHS to States again?

It isn’t often that a team brings back nearly everyone from a state semifinalist squad.

Scrimmage Play player of the year Olivia Hajek? Back. Fellow first team All-Scrimmage Play honorees, Jessie Powell and Tess Lohr?

Back. Forward Rosalie Stoke? Back. Goalie Maya Langman, center back Morgan Schuler and left back Caroline Deale? Back, back and back.

Field hockey teams rarely return two 20-goal scorers either, but Lohr and Hajek went for 24 and 21 goals respectively last season. Hajek, a Division I hockey recruit, was equally adept at distributing, dishing out 21 assists last year. Throw in the steady play of Powell, a second team all-Group AA midfielder and you’ve got a formidable offensive unit.

That offensive firepower combines with Deale, Schuler and Langman along the backline to form one of the most balanced Western lineups since the program’s 2008 state title run, back when this squad’s seniors were just eighth graders.

Still, Moira Wright’s leadership shouldn’t be discounted, and her graduation will leave a void on the left side of the midfield. But this has been Hajek’s team to lead since she emerged as one of the area’s best players two years ago, and with the fiery Lohr also back, leadership shouldn’t be an issue for the Warriors.

Getting to Virginia Beach won’t be easy with a talented district and region standing in Western’s way, but the Warriors appear primed for a big 2012.

51 :: scrimmageplay

Kendall Ballard

Is stab ready to make another step forward after its LIS title?

Charlottesville Sophomore Jefferson District Player of the year, 1st team All-Group AA

St. Anne’s-Belfield’s girls field hockey team hasn’t been a juggernaut in recent years, but the Saints got things into gear in 2011, winning the League of Independent Schools title and qualifying for the state tournament as the No. 8 seed. The Saints got there largely on the strength of a young, talented group that largely returns to the field in 2012.

Catherine Towers, a standout lacrosse goalie, and Sarah Fracasso-Francis, both made the All-LIS squad as juniors in 2011 and the two give STAB some stability at both ends of the field.

Fracasso-Francis is a rock solid defender while Towers trades in her keeper equipment from the spring to man a forward/midfielder spot during the fall.

There’s also junior Morgan Woodrow, who emerged as a scoring threat last season.

Overcoming the loss of Elise Van Arsdale, an All-LIS honoree who ran the show from center midfield for the Saints will be difficult, but the Saints clearly shook out of a funk that led to a 4-12-2 record back in 2010 last season. They’ll be riding that trajectory into 2012 and that momentum should make the Saints tough to contend with from the start.

Monticello Senior 1st team All-Group AA/A, Jefferson District

Jessie Powell

Western Albemarle Junior 1st team All-Jefferson District, 2nd team AllGroup AA

Will Monticello or charlottesville get over the JD hump?

Monticello had to rebuild in 2011, and they had to rebuild with youth.

Charlottesville simply benefited from a huge influx of youth that powered the program forward and made them a Jefferson District contender.

The big question now is which team is ready to challenge Western Albemarle in 2012 as the district boasts one of the strongest crops of players in recent memory.

The Mustangs turn to Zoe Brents, Madison Combs and Georgia Proutt, a trio of all-region honorees who should be ready to push Monticello forward. Sophomore Kathryn Deane also came on strong in the postseason as a big-time scoring threat and should see an expanded role on varsity this season.

A player like Taylor Brown can cover a lot of weaknesses. Despite battling through injuries in 2011, the UVa-bound midfielder put together another strong season — her fifth for the Covenant varsity — and led Covenant into the state playoffs again.

While the 2011 campaign ended in the quarterfinals, it gave Covenant a great deal to build on, particularly with All-LIS players Megan Frey and Olivia Gathright back as seniors. The graduation of Mary Shifflett will also hurt the Eagles, but Covenant should be able to build around Frey and Gathright as well as a group of up and coming players like Sadie Bryant that gained a lot of experience last year. That solid core could open the door for another state tournament berth for the Eagles.

POURING IN POINTS Olivia Hajek expanded her game in a huge way in 2011, transforming into one of the area’s top distributors as well as goal-scorers.

42

Is there a team ready to turn the corner?

26 21

21

21 5

2011

ASSISTS

It just flat out wasn’t where Orange County expects to be in field hockey. But a slew of budget cuts and a step up in competition level in the Commonwealth District led to some struggles for the Hornets including a 2-14 start to the year.

While Elizabeth Higginbotham graduated off the squad, the Hornets should be able to lean on Anna Reuss and other key returners off what was a young, inexperienced squad last year.

With competition in Group AAA (or Division 5 in the next VHSL reclassification cycle) the new reality for the Hornets, there’s a good chance that one of Orange’s most successful programs finds a little stronger footing in 2012.

GOALS

5/

St. Anne’s-Belfield Senior All-LIS

POINTS

4/

Where does Covenant head in post-brown era?

Catherine Towers

ASSISTS

3/

Zoe Brents

GOALS

2/

4 PLAYERS TO WATCH

POINTS

20 QUESTIONS

2010

September 2012 :: 52

RYAN THOMAS

FIVE FOR CROSS COUNTRY

1/

What does 2012 hold for Albemarle’s Ryan Thomas

In 2011, then-sophomore Ryan Thomas combined with a trio of seniors and junior Aaron Elder for a second-place team finish in the Group AAA cross country championships for Albemarle.

Now Thomas is going to have to carry a lot of the weight—but he could be in position for a run at an individual title.

Based on last year’s finish, Thomas is the fourth highest-placing runner slated to return in Group AAA after crossing in 10th place overall last year. That could open the door for the junior to kick off what has the potential to be a strong final two seasons of high school running with a big-time performance in cross country. In addition to the top-10performance at states, he put together a runner-up outing in the Northwest Region championships.

Albemarle will have to overcome the graduation of Ben Deal, Chris Springer and Adam Visokay (third place individually in Group AAA) as a team, but Elder and Joe Krohn both notched top-100 finishes at the state meet last year and could take a leap forward as many AHS runners have done in the recent past. If they do, they’ll join Thomas in a formidable trio.

But Thomas himself might have the most room to grown. After bursting on the running scene with a victory in the national freshman mile two years ago, it’s clear Thomas is becoming the kind of runner Albemarle has come to expect and can have an impact well beyond Central Virginia.

53 :: scrimmageplay

20 QUESTIONS

2/

4 RUNNERS TO WATCH David Taylor

After a mass departure of seniors, who’s ready to step up?

Western Albemarle Senior 3rd RM Cup 1st Jefferson District 11th Group AA

It’s a long, distinguished list. There’s Adam Visokay, Ben Deal and Chris Springer at Albemarle. Gavin Ratcliffe, Ben Schiller and Adam Schiller at Western Albemarle and Migue Zarate at Nelson County.

With all those standouts graduating, an entirely new group of runners should take over this year.

While David Taylor has been making his impact felt for awhile now and is back for one more crack as a senior, a slew of other runners are prepared to step into the spotlight for, largely, the first time.

Fluvanna’s Chris Markham, coming off a 15th place finish at the Region II meet will be a factor. Taylor’s teammate Andrew DeJong is now a junior and seems prepared to build off his top five finish at the Jefferson District meet last year.

Out at Nelson County, look for James Ballowe, who had a strong spring during track and field to become a major threat for the Governors. He raced to an 11th place finish in the Region B meet last year.

Chris Markham

Fluvanna County Senior 9th RM Cup 6th Jefferson District 15th Region II

Nicole Douma

5/

Can Fork Union find its depth?

Fork Union Military Academy coach Winston Brown knows he has three rock solid runners in the program this year in Peter and Alex Lomong and Russ Garver. But finding a fourth and didth is at the top of his list right now as he searches for one more piece to flesh out what could be a very competitive squad on the private school cross country scene.

Fresh off a runaway victory in outdoor track, Brown will have to manage expectations as he again revamps his program with a slew of new athletes. He could kick start that process by finding two more runners to fill out a potentially solid five-man cross country squad.

NO LONGER FROSH Four freshmen grabbed Top-10 slots in the Jefferson District championships last year. Just 18 seconds separated them.

21:02

21:11

21:18

21:20

KAITLIN ADAMS (PHS)

Last season was a major breakout year for a strong influx of young female runners led

by Douma and current Western Albemarle freshman Annie Taylor. Douma finished fourth in Region II while Taylor took sixth, ushering in a new era of girls running in Central Virginia as the two seem poised to duel it out over the next couple of years in the Jefferson, Region II and potentially Group AA championships.

But they’ll share the stage with a slew of other young local runners. Fluvanna sophomore Devon Burger, Monticello sophomore Madeline Hermsmeier and Western Albemarle junior Alice Ducharme all notched top 10 finishes in the JD race last season as freshmen or sophomores.

Throw in an X-factor like Caitlin Shilan at Madison County or Orange County’s Hannah Gilliam, both emerging threats as sophomores (Shilan took ninth in Region B last year) and the spotlight is clearly getting crowded in Central Virginia girls cross country.

Albemarle Senior 1st RMC 2nd Albemarle Inv.

ANNIE TAYLOR (WAHS)

4/

Are the young female talents ready to take a leap?

Allison Huschke

ISABELLE HERMSMEIER (MHS)

They’re all three talented runners, and they’re all coming into 2011 looking like the sport’s clear upper echelon of returners. This could potentially be a huge year for Nicole Douma, Allison Huschke and Ciera Ulan.

Fluvanna’s Douma finished the year strong with a fourth place finish at the Region II meet that established her as one of the area’s best, and she finished off the state meet with a respectable 34th place finish, giving the junior a lot of motivation going into 2012 to take things up a notch. She’ll be in the hunt for the Jefferson individual title after finishing as the runner-up in 2011.

Albemarle’s Huschke was sidelined with an injury and left to wonder how the season may have gone if she’d been healthy after a terrific start where she led Albemarle to a relay win in the Ragged Mountain Cup and took second in the Fork Union Invitational. Ulan, an Albemarle senior, brings a sterling resume into the year after taking 10th in the Northwest Region meet and the one-two punch of Huschke and Ulan along with Lauren Truwitt will make the Patriots a formidable presence.

DEVON BURGER (FCHS)

3/

Fluvanna County Junior 4th RM Cup 2nd Jefferson District 4th Region II

How will Nicole Douma, Allison Huschke and Ciera Ulan fare in 2011?

September 2012 :: 54

Corner Kicks Getting back to business

Covenant looks to build on storied 2011 campaign with its international flare

By Ryan Yemen

Girma Fekadu’s play at striker made him a marked man for the Eagles last year. (Ryan Yemen)

55 :: scrimmageplay

Last fall Covenant hit the road into the VISAA Division 2 quarterfinals as the eighth seed up against the state’s top team in Carlisle. They knocked off the number one seed to earn the program’s first final four appearance. It’s the kind of win that can carry over from one year to the next, and Eagles coach Bryan Verbrugge has every intention of seeing that happen.

“There’s a solid core back here to where getting back is the goal,” Verbrugge said. “The momentum is there, but (falling in the semifinals) has also left a taste in their mouths. So they set their team goal to get back already.”

One of the core pieces for the Eagles is Girma Fekadu who came to Covenant last year from Ethiopia. In 2011 Fekadu was the spark plug. As the team’s striker he opened up the offense with an electric style of play where his finesse footwork and outstanding speed posed problems for defenses.

“Girma is a natural striker with a nose for the goal who turns well, dribbles well, you can just see that he spent so many years with the ball at his foot,” Verbrugge said. “He truly loves the game. We use the terms creative and dangerous a lot to try and describe what we want from out attack and he epitomizes that.”

He earned All-State honors and was the team’s leading scorer, and as he enters his second season with Covenant he is one of those key players with high sights.

“Last year we did better than I thought we would, I didn’t expect to get to the semifinals,” Fekadu said. “But we all worked hard together and we all appreciated and helped eachother. So we’re looking to have a successful season again now and I know I’m very excited about it.”

When Verbrugge spoke of Fekadu being attached to the ball at the foot, that wasn’t exactly a metaphor either. As he grew up play-

ing on the streets before coming to Covenant, Fekadu took to soccer in the rawest way possible. It’s molded him into the player he is today. And playing soccer in full garb against mostly American athletes who’ve known nothing but that has been truly an interesting experience.

“This has been a lot fun,” Fekadu said.

“It’s so much different. (Before) I played a lot in bare feet and I had never played with shin guards.”

As he found the back of the net on a consistent basis, teams didn’t waste much time trying to put together a defense. Fekadu saw a little bit of everything, put each new tactic helped him find chemistry with his teammates as was able to check his ego at the door.

“I want to score on every shot against every team,” Fekadu said. “But there were some teams that played three defenders on me where there was no way I could score so I had to take that and find a way to help my teammates.”

While Fekadu and fellow All-State and VIC standout Nathan Colberg return, the Eagles lost four senior defenders. So while the offense should pick up right where it left off, there’s plenty of work to be done for this team to rediscover their form.

“We’re going to have to experiment in our scrimmages,” Verbrugge said. “We’ve got a few guys that played in the tournament and got some experience there but we also have a couple of newcomers that should add a lot, but when you graduate four seniors there, you’ve got shoes to fill.”

It’s never easy to replicate a playoff run.

But with a talent like Fekadu, the Eagles have more than enough to work with. The rest will just have to come the old fashioned way. ✖

HOMETOWN FOOTBALL FRIDAYS P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y P E P S I - C O L A O F C E N T R A L V I R G I N I A

S E PT E M B E R 7

SEPTEMBER 14

SEPTEMBER 21

SEPT E M B E R 2 8

FORK UNION AT G O O C H LA N D

FLUVANNA COUNTY AT BUCKINGHAM COUNTY

MONTICELLO AT LOUISA COUNTY

WESTERN ALBEMARLE AT MO N T I C E L LO

A rare meeting between powerhourses from the public and private sector. Goochland’s ground game will test FUMA’s defense and the Bulldogs will have their hands full trying to stop QB Christian Hackenberg.

The battle of the bridge is in Dillwyn this year as a power running Knights team looks to hold serve against the visiting Flucos. Can Fluvanna finally break Buckingham’s stranglehold in this rivalry?

This was an absolutely huge game last year with an amazing finish and shouldn’t be much different this go around. A win for either team makes them the early team to beat in the Jefferson District race.

The Mustangs get another early JD test as they play host to a Western team that’s given them fits the last two years. Based on the last three meetings, look for this to one of the year’s best games.

P E P S I - C O L A O F C E N T R A L V I R G I N I A ­: S U P P O RT I N G L O C A L H I G H S C H O O L AT H L E T I C S F O R D E C A D E S

Overtime

The edge

For some athletes it boils down to something simple

D

uring her incredible gold medal performance in the all-around gymnastics finals at the London Olympics, Virginia-native Gabby Douglas was regularly checking the scoreboard, usually a no-no in gymnastics. She was praised by International Gymnast Magazine publisher Paul Ziert as a “jock” — an intensely competitive individual who cares about the score and “loves the game of it.”

That’s a more special trait than we realize. While a lot of athletes talk a big-time game about being competitive and loving to win or hating to lose, you don’t always see it in the way they play. But when you do see that killer instinct, that overwhelming desire to win and it’s combined with enough talent to get the job done, it’s striking, as it is with Douglas or Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt, athletes who seemed in complete control because they knew they could turn it on.

Central Virginia lost at least two of those kind of athletes that brought a competitive drive to the table most of their career to graduation — Albemarle’s Holly Harper and Woodberry Forest’s Carlson Milikin.

Both were incredibly, overwhelmingly cutthroat. Harper, now headed to Virginia Tech as a swimmer, burst onto the prep scene as a ninth grader at the City/County meet. She took just one race to flash that competitiveness that would become her calling card. The freshman flipped out after getting out-touched by Natalie Cronk, already a long-time rival from summer league who Harper dueled it out with for the next four years. But it’s one thing to be upset about a loss — it’s another to bounce back and channel it into a victory, which Harper did. She swam every race like it was her last—and that’s not something you can fake. Look at her response after her final performance in the JSL Championships this summer — she wanted to beat Cronk one more time before they become teammates in Blacksburg. Harper wants to win and she doesn’t let anything get in the way of that.

Milikin not only wants to win. He wants to destroy his opponents. He wants to make sure they don’t even want to get back on the field. Whether he’s playing cornerback during football or in the midfield during lacrosse, Milikin wants to dominate. While injuries hampered him throughout his senior year and the Tigers’ lacrosse team sputtered late in the year, when he did get a chance to get on the field and play in big moments he was memorable. He took long-time Prep League rival Blair Fairinholt, a wideout from St. Christopher’s, completely out of the Saints’ matchup with the Tigers as a corner. Just blanketed him in one-on-one coverage for four quarters. He dominated lacrosse games in similar fashion at times, making an impact on defense and offense, occasionally marking the best opposing offensive player for an entire game with his short stick because he wanted to.

While Milikin and Harper moved on, we’ve got a number of hyper-competitive standouts back in the fold that are worth watching in 2011-2012. Several quarterbacks fit the bill.

Western Albemarle’s Kent Henry has a knack for getting the yard, first down or score his team needs in a key game, always leaning forward for every single yard. Monticello quarterback Jhalil Mosley plays his best on big stages, and that’s a big part of being a competitor — rising to the occasion. He does the same during basketball. If you can channel high-end competitiveness when the lights are brightest, that’s a solid start.

57 :: scrimmageplay

“With every one of those players, it’s not bluster or style over substance..”

Watch Zack Jackson out at Louisa too.

Early indications seem to be that his confidence have improved which should make his competitive nature shine.

But it’s not just quarterbacks or football players. Also out in Crozet, while Olivia Hajek is the Warriors’ reigning superstar, Tess Lohr plays with a chip on her shoulder and brings that competitive edge. Last year she translated a perceived snub in All-Jefferson District voting into a terrific postseason performance.

Up at Blue Ridge in basketball, guard Darryl Smith started to develop that killer instinct late in his junior year (check out that 27-point performance against Miller in the squads’ third meeting) and if he brings it to the floor this season, the Barons will be very tough to beat.

With every one of those players, it’s not bluster or style over substance. They’re just jocks, pure and simple.

Keeping score, making sure they do whatever it takes. ✖

Bart Isley,

CRE ATIVE DIRECTOR

back talk »

Who else plays for keeps?

Contact Bart at: bart@scrimmageplay.com

Academic Edge sponsored by hargrave military academy

September’s Academic Athlete of the Month: Buckingham County’s Cam Johnson Cam Johnson is the kind of player a coach never really has to worry about when it comes to the classroom. Johnson, a sharp, bright senior is a top flight student-athlete who puts as much emphasis on the first part of that moniker as he does the second.

A three-sport athlete for Buckingham in football, basketball and baseball, Johnson has consistently taken care of business in the classroom and earned the opportunity to represent Region B on the VHSL Student Action Team, a leadership committee intended to increase the awareness of the VHSL’s role in high school life. The group promotes participation, sportsmanship, community building and teamwork — all values Johnson lives out on a regular basis.

He also attended Boys’ State, the prestigious summer education program run by the American Legion focused on civic leadership.

Johnson will start for the first time at quarterback for the Knights this fall after making an impact the last two years as a wideout. Coach Craig Gill has got to feel great turning over his offense to as quality a student athlete as Cam Johnson.

About Hargrave Military Academy Hargrave believes individual achievement is a gamechanger for all students, both on and off the field. With a college acceptance rate over 99% and a heavy emphasis on academics, your son will have competetive advantages ahead of his peers including leadership and character development.

The Academic athlete of the month is selected by scrimmage play’s staff with the consultation of coaches and athletic directors. to nominate an athlete email info@scrimmageplay.com

1 - 8 0 0 - 4 3 2 - 2 4 8 0 | w w w. h a r g r av e . ed u Improved grades — 99% College Acceptance find us on facebook

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Sheldon Shifflett

Sheldon Shifflett owned the hot corner for St. Anne’s-Belfield. In the heart of the order, he was reliable source of the Saints vaunted offense. As such, STAB went to the state final four in 2010 and won the whole thing in 2011. Now an outfielder at VMI, he picked up his first collegiate hit in his first start, one of five as a true freshman, and played in 14 games overall.

Keep up the good work for the Keydets, Sheldon. We hope your smile serves you well!

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THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA SPORTS AUTHORITY

47 20 qUesTiOns fOr fall spOrTs

11 The all-sp enD Of year Teams

scrımmageplay the central virginia sports authority

vol 4 . issue 1 :: sept. 2012

The Unsung Offense always gets the love.

Defense gets the job done. page 27

IF YOU DON’T KNOW HIM ALREADY, but you’ve played against any Madison County team there’s a 100 percent chance you’ve seen John Berry. In Madison he’s a household name as he shoots nearly every single Mountaineers game across the sporting span, often travelling great distances during the postseason. He’s not just a sports photographer, either. He’s the complete package. If you go to his website www.berrysports.com you can see all his work. Lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, great sunsets and just casual outdoor encounters, John is as good as it gets when it comes to photographers. His work, whether in a portrait or in action, captures color and has the kind of depth of field that has the mark of a true professional. This is John’s fourth portrait shoot for our magazine, all of them cover shoots. He did three of them for us last year starting with a volleyball piece in the fall where we played around with some of the area’s great service artists, putting baby powder on a ball to create a smoke effect. He killed it. Then in the winter he shot the artwork for our story on Orange County’s wrestling team where we gave us this great gritty look to a ‘coming at you’ pose. At the end of the spring season, he shot our lengthy story on Louisa County which included 20 some different athletes around the damaged, remodeled and condemned campus.

When it came to our first issue of the 2012 year we knew we wanted the focus of the football preview to be about great defensive players since we’ve featured almost exclusively offensive standouts in our previous three season kickoffs—with a quick nod to the two primary defenders who’ve appeared on the preview, Western alum Mitchell Parks and Woodberry product Nathan Ripper. Getting the concept down was the hardest part. Then there was the execution. Thankfully it all came together in the moment. So for our first Digital Edition SP Extra, we have a roundtable conversation with Scrimmage Play’s Bart Isley, Ryan Yemen and of course, the man who made this issue possible, John Berry.

scrımmage play DIGITAL EXTRA Ryan Yemen: So it didn’t take us long at all to zero in on which defensive players we wanted between Woodberry Forest’s Doug Randolph, Monticello’s T.J. Tillery, Albemarle’s Ryan Londree and Goochland’s Nathan Adams. But after that it was a real battle conceptually, and I mean that not in terms of conflicting ideas. The first idea was to flirt with the idea of running through a brick wall, something about breaking apart construction materials. We thought hard about physically, how we could put this together but there was no way we could safely or effectively stack a bunch of bricks and have an athlete run through it. I went to Lowes and priced out how much it cost us to buy a bunch of drywall and have these four run through that, but again, doing that without sending them back to their parents and coaches without risk of injury was problematic. As time wound down I contacted a friend in real estate about giving each athlete a crow bar, sledgehammer and so forth and just wrecking shop on a house that was prepped for renovation or demolition. That was too much to ask for. Thankfully, and not a moment too soon (and we bounced around ideas for more than a month) Bart came up with a concept that stuck, both in terms of theme and in a way that we could easily execute.

Bart Isley: We always want to play with

movement if possible in Scrimmage Play.

Athletics doesn’t happen when you’re standing still, so that seems pretty obvious.

Since we were focusing on defense, we wanted to show some of that side of the ball’s attitude. The power, force of will — the ferocity that comes with trying to stop another team. I was primarily an offensive lineman in high school, so I was accustomed to being on the other side of the ball from these kind of guys. I once watched Baltimore Ravens linebacker Darryl Blackstock destroy my high school squad as a senior at Heritage in Newport News. He was credited with 29 sacks that year but I think he had 27 of them against us. I’d always been impressed with elite defenders— they play with abandon, but there’s also something scientific about it, and the thought to base the shoot around what I see as the four steps emerged. First you read, then you react, then you explode and then you finish. If you don’t make a proper read you can get out of position. If you take too long to react, you’ll be behind the play. Then comes the explosiveness required from a tackler and, most critically, a knack for finishing. Translating that to still camera, however, is no easy task.

That’s where John comes in.

John Berry: Bart contacted me at the end of July about doing a shoot for them

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scrımmage play DIGITAL EXTRA for their football preview issue, and I was luckily available on the shoot date. My first question to them is always, “what do you have in mind?” Although Bart and Ryan usually have some pretty good ideas about what they want, it always helps me to have a few days to think over what I’m going to do, how I’m going to light it, and maybe do a little testing so we don’t have snags on the day of the shoot. I’d prefer not to waste any more of the athlete’s time than necessary.

For this shoot, most of their ideas were pretty straightforward, basically some portraits with the athletes looking tough with dramatic lighting to support the scene. Working with off camera lights is something I’ve been doing for a while. I started doing it when I first started doing portraits of high school seniors. With standard portraits, I’m often just trying to supplement the existing light to give better color and definition to the subject.

But for these photo shoots with athletes, I usually try to overpower the existing light so that not only is the athlete the center of attention, but I want to let any distractions that are in the background fall into near darkness. We don’t have the advantage of a studio for the shoots, we’re typically in a high school gym or locker/training room with lots of “stuff” in the background that might not necessarily support the look

we’re going for.

RY: One thing that was a real challenge here was that we only know how to book photo shoots when its 100 degrees outside.

The set up was at Monticello at 11 a.m. and we used a locker room where it was unusually hotter in there than it was just outside. So both John and the athletes really put up with a lot in that environment.

The first thing we needed was basic portrait shots, always the foundation of any shoot we do. Design wise, you have to have something to either build on or fall back on in case some of the other concepts don’t pan out, which of course was a non-issue because John brought entire truck full of equiptment. He doesn’t mess around.

JB: For almost all the portraits, I used three lights, two “kickers”, or rim lights, behind the athlete, and one main light in front of the athlete to illuminate their face. And to explain the “kickers” term, kickers are typically lights that are placed behind, and at about a 45 degree angle to the subject, pointing at the subject’s back or sides. You can see their effect in the photos, they provide a highlight along the outer edges of the athlete’s shoulders, arms, and helmet. They serve to separate the subject from the darker background, and I just think the kickers give a cool look.

RY: For a long time we’ve wanted to do a motion shoot where in the same shot you

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scrımmage play DIGITAL EXTRA have someone going through an action. We cheated back in June of 2010 for our cover with Louisa County’s track and field team where we took a sequence of photos Bart shot at the Group AA meet. Using Adobe Photoshop, we took three photos, used one as the background in black and white with a sepia effect and then cutout the athlete in color. It was a collage, but with three different shots. We thought John could give us a chance to do something a little more honest where we didn’t have to go to a heavily edited item.

JB: One of the their ideas was a multiple exposure type shot of the athlete coming off the line and going past the camera.

Uh oh … I’d never done anything like that before and wasn’t really sure I could pull it off. My first thought was that it was going to have to be a composite (several images layered together in Photoshop).

The problem there was that it was going to look better if there was some blur in each of the images to give the sense of motion, and cutting out blurred images and layering them in Photoshop isn’t an easy task. So, this was one of those times where it really helps to have a few days to think it over and come up with ideas. Fortunately, I remembered that Pocket Wizards have a “strobe” feature.

(Pocket Wizards are wireless flash triggers consisting of a transmitter, that goes on

s

the camera, and a receiver that triggers the flash.) So, essentially what you do is choose your camera settings, shutter speed and aperture, so that without the off camera light, the photo will come out almost completely dark. The shutter speed is set fairly long, long enough for the athlete to come out of his stance just after I pressed the shutter button, and run by me before the shutter closes. As the shutter button is pressed, the Pocket Wizards trigger the strobe, lighting the athlete with short bursts of light as he moves by. The Pocket Wizards allow you to set the interval between the pulses, and the number of pulses. Since I’d never tried that feature of the Pocket Wizards, I did a little testing a few days prior to the shoot to make sure I could make it work.

It still took some testing on shoot day, but it actually came out better than I expected. We did have to ask the athletes to come out of their stance and run by the camera several times, which gave them quite a workout considering there was no air stirring whatsoever in that little room.

RY: When John set us over the entire photo shoot, we couldn’t believe how he pulled it off and so the shot of Doug Randolph on page 38 was the first thing I dropped into the magazine because there was no way we couldn’t run that photo. We didn’t know which athlete was going to

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scrımmage play DIGITAL EXTRA represent the “react, read, explode, finish” aspects but instantly, Doug was locked into his term as “explode.” The finish piece with the football being ripped apart was pretty simple to execute. We went back to using baby powder again knowing how good the results were going to be since John shot that volleyball feature under the same premise.

JB: The final shot was just a group shot of all four out on the football field with the camera shooting through a football helmet face mask as if the viewer were a quarterback that was staring these four defenders down. This one was fairly straightforward. We had nice clouds that day so I set my camera exposure based on the clouds and sky, then added light from the off camera flashes to illuminate the athlete’s faces. The sun acted as my “kicker” for the outdoor shots so we’d have some consistency with the indoor shots.

RY: This last part was to be both our cover and the opening spread of the football preview, so one had to vertically shot and the other horizontally. Actually choosing the right shot for the cover was a source of a lot of discussion as it always is.

BI: We loved the shot that obscures the faces of the defenders we chose for the shoot from an artistic standpoint — happy accident or not. But we decided that we wanted to recognize the players who came

out. That we’re bringing them into the light, that they deserve to be recognized in a significant way. What fun is it to be on the magazine’s cover if your face isn’t there?

We decided it wasn’t as much fun. But there’s no denying that the darkened photo is absolutely terrifying.

RY: When it was all said and done and photos were shipped over to us, it didn’t take long to put the pieces together, the only real trouble is that we never have enough pages physically to run all the photos we want. And since these were so well done, we wanted to run them big instead of smaller and with more of them.

My job was then to make sure I didn’t trample over John’s work with the graphic design. I went as simple as possible to try and let the photos do the talking. A good photograph is always better than anything a graphic designer can stamp over top of it.

BI: The great thing about working with John, Ashley Thornton, Frank Crocker or frankly any of the photographers we’ve utilized over the years is that they can take our ideas and using their equipment, transform them into something that, most of the time, is better than we could’ve conceived.

JB: If you’re interested in equipment, the camera used was Canon’s 1D Mark IV. The lens I used for most of the shots was Canon’s 16-35mm zoom, with their 24-105mm zoom for the closeup portraits.

My off camera flashes were all Paul C. Bluff Einsteins. I use Buff’s Cyber Commander transmitter as the on-camera trigger. This allows me to control the power output of the flashes from the camera, which saves a lot of time when I’m laying on the ground in some odd position and need to adjust the power of one or more of the lights.

BI: Pretty amazing that John’s talent and know-how can make all that work look pretty simple when that box of magazines arrives at the office. It’s a long, long process on our end, but the results are always worth it.

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