High School Football Preview

HIGH SCHOOL

FOOTBALL PREVIEW A special supplement to the Progress-Index and The Colonial Voice

PREVIEWING PETERSBURG

HARD WORK OVER NUMBERS

â–˛ The 2015 Petersburg High School Varsity Football team will look to overcome challenges in depth with talent and hard work to return to the playoffs once again. NICHOLAS VANDELOECHT/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO.

Young Crimson Wave aiming for another strong postseason run

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

ETERSBURG - They may have one of the smallest rosters in the Central District -if not the smallest - but the Petersburg varsity football team seems to go by the mantra that you should instead judge a team by the size of its heart.

Add talent and skill, and you have a 3A

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team that muscled out four victories in a district full of bigger 4A, 5A and 6A opponents and powered themselves to the third round of the 2014 playoffs. Their most recent victory resulted in a 56-16 decimation of the Poquoson Islanders.

Last year’s playoff appearance marked their second consecutive trip to the postseason; now, Head Coach Josh Wallace and his Crimson Wave are aiming for a third.

There will be challenges to overcome.

They may have only graduated four seniors - including Gemonta Jackson, who earned a full-ride scholarship to Old Dominion University - but they ended up losing six players.

Once again, they have a young group every year seems to be a rebuilding year, Wallace noted - but in spite of their youth, Petersburg is getting back a solid core of athletes.

Huckeeve Bailey returns as their anchor on offensive line. Fred Raspberry and Chris Garris will anchor their defense. Going into the start of the season, Aaryn Davis and Stanley Davis II battled for the starting quarterback position. Aaryn started about half the season for the Crimson Wave last year as a sophomore. Stanley has played a range of positions.

“We’re trying to see who’s going to earn that starting quarterback still,” Wallace said. “We’ve got guys who can move around … if we can always look at trying to give some of those two-way starters a break, we’ll do it.”

Wallace sees a good mixture of passing and running on his offense and anticipates his team keeping their opponents on their toes.

“We don’t want to be a run-only team and we don’t want to be a passonly team. We want to try to … be good at anything we do.”

The players and coaches of the Crimson Wave have their sights set on beating their rivals Hopewell and Dinwiddie, but Wallace pointed out his focus on taking the season one game at a time and taking each opponent seriously.

So far this season, they’ve had just one injury in the form of a concussion; outside of that, the Crimson Wave has remained pretty healthy at this point.

Injuries will pose a challenge to virtually any team or organization, but just one key player having to sit out one or more games after getting hurt could seriously impact Petersburg due to its perennial shortage in numbers.

“Thank goodness we’ve been able to stay healthy and I think that’s a testament to our off-season conditioning,” Wallace said. “You never know what’s going to happen, but we’ve done our best as a staff to prepare them in the offseason.”

To add more good news, Petersburg’s numbers, though still small, did increase to about 30 students this year.

“Numbers are always going to be a thing for us that we’ve got to watch, and hopefully we’ll stay healthy,” Wallace said, adding that the Crimson Wave’s players and coaches can’t let other teams’ level of depth - some teams have a hundred players or more to draw from - affect what they do.

“We’ve got to make it work. We’ve

Team Rundown 2014 record: 6-7, advanced to third round of playoffs Key starters lost: Gemonta Jackson (RB), Christopher Thompson (SB, CB), Jordan Noggin (RB, CB, FS), Sincere Watson (WR, CB) Key returners: Huckeeve Bailey (Jr., OL), Fred Raspberry (Jr., Defense), Chris Garris (Jr., Defense) Strengths: Fearless players on defense who are good at hitting; potential to move the ball on offense; solid core returning group Weaknesses/Challenges: Young group overall having to gel together

2015 Schedule (Home Location: Andrew J. White Football Field: 3101 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA 23805) Week 1: Friday, Aug, 28: HOME vs. Nottoway, 7:30 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 11: Away at Kettle Run, 7:30 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 18: HOME vs. James Monroe, 7:30 p.m.

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: HOME vs. Meadowbook, 7:30 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: Away at Hopewell, 7:30 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: HOME vs. Matoaca, 7:30 p.m.

Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: HOME vs. Thomas Dale, 7:30 p.m. (HOMECOMING) Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: Away at Prince George, 7:30 p.m.

Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: HOME vs. Dinwiddie, 7:30 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: Away at Colonial Heights, 7 p.m.

got to look at what we have and make it work with what we’ve got,” Wallace said.

“We’ve always had low numbers, but we have guys who are going to work hard and guys we’re going to be able to count on, especially when we’re facing teams like Prince George … and Thomas Dale,” Wallace said.

In Friday’s scrimmage on August 14, Petersburg hosted two teams and scored three or four times - not as much as Wallace would have liked - but no one scored on the Crimson Wave.

Wallace took away from the scrimmage that his players’ preparedness was better than he thought it would be.

“It was a good first scrimmage to see in those battles that we have going on in camp every year who’s going to rise to the top,” he added.

When asked about who on his team could potentially have a breakout season, Wallace said it was still too early to say.

“You never know what a season can bring,” he said. “Let’s take it one step at a time. As long as we’re moving forward, then that’s a good thing.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

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PREVIEWING PRINCE GEORGE

COACH: Team is in a position to

COMPETE IN EVERY GAME

▲H Head dC Coach h Bruce B C Carroll ll iis confident fid iin hi his P Prince i G George R Royals’ l ’ ability bili to compete - if not win i - every game this hi season. NICHOLAS VANDELOECHT/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS

Numbers-heavy Royals add two-platoon approach to 2015 outlook

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

RINCE GEORGE - Head coach Bruce Carroll feels that, realistically, his Prince George varsity football team can compete in - if not win every game they play this season.

The Royals will look to improve upon last season where they finished 5-5 and did not advance to the postseason.

“We’re in a situation where our kids have worked and developed their skill set to the point and put in the effort that it takes to put themselves in the position to compete every week,” Carroll said. “And when you can compete every week, you’ve got a chance to win.

“There are some years you can look and

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say, ‘We don’t have a chance to compete every week,’” he added. “When you have that chance, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”

The 2015 edition of the Royals may be a young team overall, but they’ll be bringing back a number of players. Malaki Gurley returns as the quarterback, and opponents may see a lot of senior Malik Gurley this year as the state champion in the 100 meter dash could showcase his speed once more in the running back and wide receiver positions.

The offensive line, Carroll said, will be key in determining the team’s success this season. It’s not a completely new group experienced players like Jaret Moneymaker will be coming back - but the team did see some losses on the line, and so getting players to fill those spots - and also getting the

players behind them to come along - remains a challenge.

But they do not lack in their numbers. The Royals will shift to two-platoon this year, which Carroll hopes will lead to a balanced team, both offensively and defensively, as well as create quality depth on both sides of the ball since players on offense should not have to practice on defense and vice versa.

“I think the fact that we’ve got the numbers that we have here shows that [the kids are] buying into what the guys that have been here before them are doing,” Carroll said. “The [players] that have been here, that have put in the time, they have kind of opened their arms and they … bring players and get them involved.

“The fact that they’ve bought in and

committed like they have in the offseason is what’s put us in a position to compete.”

The Royals’ numbers may also lead to a strong special teams unit, with Carroll pointing out that players who may not be starting on offense or defense can play those positions.

“I think we’re going to be able to defend the run better.

I think that hurt us at times,” Carroll said. “I think we’ll be more consistent in the passing game. We were able to run the ball effectively on almost everybody, but when they loaded it up and we had to be able to throw it, we weren’t always as consistent as we needed to be.”

“We need to be able to throw on every down - not that we want to, but we need to be able to.”

He also emphasized the importance of players staying healthy as they progress through the season.

In looking ahead to the teams to beat this year, Carroll said it will be a “week-by-week thing” and that there’s really not a break on the schedule. The Royals are focused on beating Clover Hills - their first opponent.

He also pointed to the perennial powers in the district - Thomas Dale, Dinwiddie, Meadowbrook - as well as Prince George’s closest rivals via proximity: Hopewell and Petersburg.

”

2015 Schedule (Home Location: Prince George High School, 7801 Laurel Spring Rd, Prince George, VA 23875) Week 1: Thursday, Sep. 3: Away at Clover Hill, 7:30 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 11: Away at Lee-Davis, 7 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 18: HOME vs. John Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: Away at Matoaca, 7 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: HOME vs. Thomas Dale, 7:30 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: Away at Colonial Heights, 7 p.m.

Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: Away at Dinwiddie, 7 p.m.

Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: HOME vs. Petersburg, 7:30 p.m. (HOMECOMING) Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: Away at Meadowbrook, 7 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: HOME vs. Hopewell, 7:30 p.m.

Team Rundown 2014 record: 5-5, did not make playoffs Key starters lost: Montae Bradshaw (WR/CB), Richard Hanson (CB), Brian Weinz (C/DT), Tyler Bembry (G/DT) Key returners: Malaki Gurley (Jr., QB), Malik Gurley (Sr., RB/WR), Jason Rodriguez (Sr., Defense), Jaret Moneymaker (Sr., Offensive Line) Strengths: Speed in several positions, depth in numbers Weaknesses/Challenges: Team’s success will rely on how fast offensive line comes together and how much depth is created in those positions

We’re in a situation where our kids have worked and developed their skill set to the point and put in the effort that it takes to put themselves in the position to compete every week. And when you can compete every week, you’ve got a chance to win.

Head Coach Bruce Carroll

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

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PREVIEWING COLONIAL HEIGHTS

COACH

LOOKS FORWARD to ‘exciting year’ for Colonials

▲ Colonial Heights last season broke their winless streak dating back to 2011; with newfound depth this year, the Colonials could be gearing up for a resurgent season. PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN FAISON.

New depth could aid team’s bid for playoffs

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

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OLONIAL HEIGHTS - “It’s going to be an exciting year for us.”

The words were confident and to-the-point. They came from

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Remus James, the head coach of the Colonial Heights varsity football team that finished last season with two wins, eight losses, and zero playoff game appearances.

But if you know the Colonials and what they’ve gone through the past three years, last year’s 2-8 season was a huge victory in

many respects.

For starters, they won games - something they hadn’t done prior to 2014 since beating Armstrong/Kennedy 14-12 on Sept. 26, 2011.

They were able to send off Brian Gwaltney, who started for the Colonials all four

”

We’ll be able to finish, and that’s because of the depth that we have; at the end of games, sometimes the natural fatigue set in, whereas, this year, with us being able to plug some guys in and out, we’re going to be a lot better being able to finish this year.

Head Coach Remus James

years, as a varsity football game winner.

And with their victories, they’ve built up momentum heading into what could be another improved, if not playoff-type season, for Colonial Heights Football.

There’s also a special ingredient available to the Colonials this year.

They’ve got depth.

“We’ll be able to finish, and that’s because of the depth that we have; at the end of games, sometimes the natural fatigue set in,” James said, “whereas, this year, with us being able to plug some guys in and out, we’re going to be a lot better being able to finish this year.”

Having those additional players to bring in on both sides of the ball could play a major factor in how the year plays out.

Yes, they’re still faced with the challenge of replacing all-conference player Brian Gwaltney as well as Tyriq Anderson. Yes, they’re still facing bigger teams such as Dinwiddie, Prince George,

2015 Schedule (Home Location:CHHS Athletic Stadium - Football Field, 500 Conduit Road, Colonial Heights, VA 23834) Week 1:Thursday, Sep. 3: Away at New Kent, 7 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 11: Away at Park View, 7 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 18: HOME vs. Southampton, 7 p.m.

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: HOME vs. Thomas Dale, 7 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: Away at Meadowbrook, 7 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: HOME vs. Prince George, 7 p.m. (HOMECOMING) Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: Away at Hopewell, 7:30 p.m.

Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: HOME vs. Dinwiddie, 7 p.m.

Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: Away at Matoaca, 7 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: HOME vs. Petersburg, 7 p.m.

Team Rundown 2014 record: 2-8, did not make playoffs Key starters lost: Brian Gwaltney (CB/WR/QB/FS), Tyriq Anderson (RB, SB) Key returners: DeQuawn Pyer (Sr., G/NG), Ramon Ares (Sr., G, DT), Colin Mott (So., T/DE), Javoreon Winston (Sr., T/DE/DT), Jared Morgan (Sr., WR/LB), James Faison (Sr., WR/CB) Strengths: New depth, able to finish out games Weaknesses/Challenges: Replacing last year’s key players, inexperienced starting quarterback

Matoaca and Thomas Dale in the old Central District. And yes, this will only be senior Jackson Cox’s first (and only) full year as a starting quarterback on varsity.

But they’re bringing back four of their five offensive linemen from last year - DeQuawn Pyer, Ramon Ares, Collin Mott and Javoreon Winston - and James and his staff expect big things out of that group. James Faison and all-conference receiver Jared Morgan also return to the 2015 edition of the Colonials. Several of the players have been working out since December in getting ready for this year’s campaign. And in spite of the size of their opponents, James reminds his players that they can only put 11 on the field at one time.

“If we beat that 11, then we should be okay,” he

said.

The Colonials hope to approach this season with a balanced and unpredictable offensive attack that keeps the defense on its heels. They’ll also embrace an aggressive style of defense - “but so does everyone else,” James added with a laugh.

The Colonials are healthy at this point and aim to stay that way heading into the regular season.

Ultimately, the head coach wants to prepare his athletes to take that next step in life - James is proud of the fact that his athletes go to school every year, be it D1, D2 or D3 - but in honing in on this season, Colonial Heights really wants to make the playoffs.

“We feel like this is the team that can make the playoffs,” James said.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

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PREVIEWING THOMAS DALE

CHANGING of the guard

▲ Thomas Dale hopes to keep injuries away in 2015 as they follow up on last season’s 9 9-3 3 outing outing. PHOTO COURTESY CANDID COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY.

New leadership, experienced defense to head Knights in 2015

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

HESTER - Regular season pains couldn’t keep them out of the playoffs.

Thomas Dale Football overcame their share of injuries to take a senior-heavy team into the 2014 postseason

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where they fiercely battled Riverbend in Round 1 and came out the victor, 45-42, in triple-overtime.

Their tremendous run came to an end against Colonial Forge in a 38-28 second round defeat after having held the lead at halftime. The loss marked a tough end for the Knights, and not just because it signaled the conclusion of their bid for the state

championship. At the end of the season, they had to say goodbye to a very talented group of seniors that included tight end/defensive lineman Marco Carrabotta (Army), running back Eric Finney, quarterback Khalid Morris, Keith Anderson (Morehouse College) and Darvin Taylor II (Florida State).

But senior leadership will step up in a big way again this year. They’ll be bringing back

nine returners on defense. Three-year starter very well together.

Sam Stark, who has attracted interest from the “I think they have the mentality that if one man likes of Virginia Tech and other schools, returns goes down, the next man’s up,” Tucker said. “If at Middle Linebacker; another three-year player, they continue to gel, I think we’ll be perfect.”

Robert Snead, will continue his post on the offenWhile Thomas Dale will contend with differsive line. University of Richmond commit Trent ent teams in the conference, including the forces Williams will come back as safety and anchor a of Cosby, Manchester and James River. As far young offense in the tailback position. as facing their rivals in the old Central District, The team also returns Tucker sees Dinwiddie Brian Bullock Jr. at wide and Hopewell as the receiver, Kyle Alexander teams to beat. at corner, Alonzie Carter In their effort to at strong safety and Sharealize their playoff juan Phillips at defensive chances, the Knights back, J.C. Coy at defenhope to avoid the injury sive line and Traquan bug while overcoming Booker at linebacker and some early scrapes in fullback.

2015. Over the last four With the returning years, they’ve endured senior-led nucleus, head around three or four coach Kevin Tucker and ACL tears on varsity a his staff feel the Knights year, as well as a horrific will showcase a tough broken ankle last season defensive unit that can with Phillips. Two-year match up well against starter, offensive guard anyone.

Trevor Reed, continues On the other side of to recover from a sepathe ball, the Knights rated shoulder with the will feature a youthful team still uncertain as offensive unit as they to how long he’ll have to return just five playsit out. ers with experience.

Tucker said his playOnly two players will be ers put in the work in returning starters. The the offseason, in the starting O-line will likely weight room to try and include three to four strengthen up knees, sophomores. shoulders — those “Having Trent back at muscle groups with tailback helps us out a which they were having lot, having Brian back trouble. at wide receiver helps “We feel like we’ve us out a lot, but it’s how done that,” he said.

Head Coach Kevin Tucker early will the line gel in “Hopefully this year, we order for us to make a can get through a season good little run during the without any many injuseason,” Tucker said. ries and be able to make a run in the playoffs.”

There remained two candidates for the startThomas Dale emerged from their Highland ing quarterback position during camp. Battling Springs scrimmage virtually unscathed. In that for the spot were juniors Matt Lawton and Gabe scrimmage, the Knights faced off against a squad McCollum. Tucker said both athletes are “very that they believe will stand out one of the top smart, athletic (and) throw the ball well.” He three teams in the region. The Knights’ first team added that the starter would be the one who had defense held the opponent to a 7-7 tie. the better camp.

“We were excited about that,” Tucker said while Special teams will see the return of three-year adding, “We’ve got a lot of room to improve and player and kicker Plato Eliades, who nailed the get better … I think by the time we get to midgame-winning field goal to earn his Knights the season, we’ll be a very mature ball club that can first-round playoff victory over Riverbend. play with anybody in the region and hopefully Tucker said that, as a whole, his athletes work anybody in the state.”

”

“We’ve got a lot of room to improve and get better … I think by the time we get to mid-season, we’ll be a very mature ball club that can play with anybody in the region and hopefully anybody in the state.”

Team Rundown 2014 record: 9-3, advanced to second round of playoffs Key starters lost: Khalid Morris (QB), Eric Finney (RB), Marco Carrabotta (TE/DE), Darvin Taylor II (DT), Keith Anderson (LB), Justin Amagoh (DE), Bryce Sizemore (OL), Corey Leonard Key returners: Sam Stark (Sr., LB/TE), Robert Snead (Sr., DL/OL) Trent Williams (Sr., DB/RB), Brian Bullock Jr. (Sr., WR/DB), Traquan Booker (Sr., LB/RB), Kyle Alexander (Sr., DB/WR), Alonzie Carter (Sr., DB/WR) and Shajaun Phillips (Sr., DB/RB), J.C. Coy (Sr., DL/RB), Plato Eliades (Sr., K/P) Possible key returner: Trevor Reed (Sr., DL/OL; injured/shoulder) Strengths: Experienced defense, teamwork Weaknesses/Challenges: Overcoming and avoiding injuries

2015 Schedule (Home Location: Thomas Dale High School, 3626 W Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23831) Week 1: Friday, Aug, 28: HOME vs.

Cosby, 7 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 4: HOME v. Lloyd C. Bird, 7 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 11: Away at Varina, 7 p.m.

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: Away at Colonial Heights, 7 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: Away at Prince George, 7:30 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: HOME vs. Dinwiddie, 7 p.m.

Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: Away at Petersburg, 7:30 p.m.

Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: HOME vs.

Meadowbrook, 7 p.m. (HOMECOMING) Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: HOME vs.

Hopewell, 7 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: Away at Matoaca, 7 p.m.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

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Hopewell’s Matthew Trevillian (2) races away from his defenders during a 2014 game at Colonial Heights. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO.

Matoaca High School’s Samuel Shook (1) runs the ball against the Hopewell defense during a home game in 2014. Matoaca won 73-13. PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO

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Colonial Heights’ Brian Gwaltney (7) rushes the ball against Hopewell during Friday night’s game at CHHS. Gwaltney was among the key starters that Colonial Heights lost at the end of 2014. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESSINDEX FILE PHOTO

Matoaca High School’s Shedrick McCall (4) runs the ball against the Hopewell defense during a 2014 home game. FILE PHOTO

Colonial Heights teammates celebrate a turnover during a 2014 game hosting Hopewell.

PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO

Hopewell plays Grafton during a prep football game in 2014 at Hopewell High School. RACHAEL QUICK/PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO.

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Monacan’s Khalik Hamlin is tackled by Dinwid Dinwiddie defense during a 2014 prep game at Dinwiddie High School. RACHAEL QUICK/PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO. Dinwiddie’s Travaughn Cooper runs with the ball during a 2014 game against Caroline. Cooper returns to the fold in 2015. RACHAEL QUICK/PROGRESSINDEX FILE PHOTO.

The Colonials take the field against Hopewell during Colonial Heights High School’s homecoming game Friday, Oct. 10. PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

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PREVIEWING DINWIDDIE

Back in

FULL FORCE

▲ Dinwiddie Football, with its focus on leadership and team chemistry, hopes to out-do their 9-3 2014 season. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.

Generals in position to contend with strength at several positions

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

INWIDDIE—Make no mistake.

The Generals are still a team to fear. Young and talented on offense, quick on defense and heavy on team depth, the Dinwiddie varsity football team remains a force to be reckoned with as they pursue their second state championship in three years. The 2013 state champions are focused on bouncing back from getting knocked out of the second round of the playoffs last year, and this time around, the captains feel like they have improved in many respects.“I think this year, we’re a lot closer as a family than we were last year,” senior Reggie Williams said. “I think we

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worked harder — we took the offseason more seriously.”

“I feel like everyone’s bought into the team this year,” quarterback Bryce Witt said.

“Everybody’s playing for each other, not playing for [individual] stats,” senior Ethan Eubank said.

“If you’re selfish, you just won’t fit into this team,” senior Cecil Parham said. “And you won’t play.”

“There’s a lot more competition for the positions — it’s not the sense of entitlement like it has been last year, especially,” senior Dakota Hansen said. “We don’t feel as entitled, I don’t think, because we know that there’s people that can jump into a position and play and do it very well.”

“Offense and defense are both evenly matched,

so it’s a lot of competition between each other,” senior Canaan Mills said. “Neither of us wants to lose.”

Dinwiddie recovered from a rough start last year when they lost to Monacan 18-13 in their season opener. But then, the 2013 state champions took off, winning seven straight games with their opponents losing by 30 points or more in the first five. Their only other loss of the regular season against Thomas Dale, 20-13. In the postseason, Dinwiddie put together a dominant showing against I.C. Norcom (35-9) before seeing their bid for the 4A title come to an end against eventual state champions Lake Taylor (42-14).

Dinwiddie head coach Billy Mills said of their run through the season, “We started playing

really good defense; [we had] a young offense that had some growing pains.”

“I can look back to every loss — except for the Lake Taylor loss the last game — our turnovers had a big, big part of that.

We’re going in to score the winning touchdown against Thomas Dale in the closing minutes, and we fumble the football,” Mills said. “That’s been a big focus of ours this offseason and preseason.”

This past year, the Generals said goodbye to first-team all-state free safety Denzel Williams—who has a chance to play this year for Old Dominion— two-time all-state defensive end John Branch—but a lot of power on both sides of the ball will be coming back in 2015.

Returning forces on the offensive line includes: Virginiapreps.com all-state underclassmen offensive lineman Trevon Wilkerson, left tackle Miles Scott, who is a three-year starter; and center/offensive lineman Canaan Mills, who’s also a threetime state qualifier on the wrestling side.

Bryce Witt — who as a sophomore started all 12 games in 2014, threw for 1757 yards and 18 touchdowns and also added 339 rushing yards and five TD’s on the ground — takes command of the starting quarterback position once again.

Tye Freeland, who was ranked number 25 player in state of Virginia by Rivals. com for the class of 2017 and was also named to the Virginiapreps.com all state underclassmen team, comes back at wide receiver/running back. Freeland, a junior, had 14 touchdowns last season with 1,300 all purpose yards. Already he has offers from UVA and Wake Forest.

K’Vaughan Pope, who last year caught 30 balls for 480 yards and two touchdowns and was named to the Virginiapreps.com all state underclassmen team, resumes his post at tight end/wide receiver. The sophomore holds offers from UVA and N.C. State.

Four-year starter Dakarai Wilson also comes back at wide receiver/running back. The senior amassed 20 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns, 282 yards on 62 carries and six touchdowns and 183 yards in punt and kick returns.

Also returning on offense: senior Donavan McCrea, who caught six for 133 yards and three touchdowns; Travaughn Cooper, who carried 56 for 444 yards and four touchdowns, caught four for 13 yards and traveled 192 yards on kick returns; and running back James Lyons, who had 115 carries for 653 yards and six

Team Rundown 2014 record: 9-3, advanced to second round of playoffs Key starters lost: Denzel Williams (FS), John Branch (DE) Key returners: Bryce Witt (Jr., QB), Tye Freeland (Jr., WR/RB), K’Vaughan Pope (So., WR/TE), Dakarai Wilson (Sr., WR/RB), Donavan McCrea (Sr., WR), Travaughn Cooper (Jr., RB), James Lyons (Sr., RB), Canaan Mills (Sr., C), Trevon

Wilkerson (Jr., LG), Miles Scott (Jr., LT), Zachary Staton (Sr., PK), Dakota Hansen (Sr., DL/RB/P), Jequan Tucker (Sr., DE), DaVon Clayton (Jr., DT), Cecil Parham (Sr., LB/RB) Also returning/Stepping up: Kyi Rhodes (So., WR), Tassir Scott (So., RB), Deon Jordan (Sr., RG), Treyvon Johnson (So., RG), Shamon Gholson (So., RG), Jordan Foster (Sr., RT), Daron Brown (Sr., DE), Timmy Fields (Jr., DE), Donzell Patterson (Sr., DL/

2015 Schedule (Home Location: Dinwiddie High School, 11501 Boisseau Rd, Dinwiddie, VA 23841) Week 1: Friday, Aug, 28: HOME vs. James Monroe, 7 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 4: HOME vs. Hanover, 7 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 11: Away at Caroline, 7 p.m. touchdowns and also six receptions for 79 yards.

Defensive starters feature: leading tackler Cecil Parham, who had over 140 tackles and comes back as linebacker; safeties Tyler Evans, Derrick Jones and Reggie Williams; Jequan Tucker, who tackled five, blocked a punt and scored a defensive touchdown; and DaVon Clayton, who last year had 65 total tackles (including 35 solos), 18 tackles for a loss, two quarterback hurries, three sacks, and one fumble recovery.

Mills pointed to the strength of this year’s running back core, the improvements and competition on the O-Line (“they’re a whole lot better than they were a year ago,” he said), the overall depth of this year’s team, and to the sheer speed and ability of the defense.

He also thought the defensive line would be the team’s biggest weakness, but he was really pleased with how strong they looked in an early scrimmage.

He noted of his defensive ends, “the more they get to learn the position, the scarier they’re going to be because they’re just so fast.”

Mills emphasized the importance of his players maintaining the big picture and know they’re not going to get 17 touches every night.

“They’re trying to get to the 15th game, and the way we do that is making people

OL), Ethan Eubank (Sr., DL/RB) Strengths: Most skilled group of athletes, depth on offense, running backs, fast defense Weaknesses/Challenges: reducing turnovers, new positions having to learn plenty of information in a short period of time, finding balance on offense and getting QB more comfortable with reads, continue gelling on offensive line, maintaining the big picture

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: HOME vs. Hopewell, 7 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: HOME vs. Matoaca, 7 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: Away at Thomas Dale, 7 p.m.

Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: HOME v. Prince George, 7 p.m.

(HOMECOMING) Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: Away at Colonial Heights, 7 p.m.

Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: Away at Petersburg, 7:30 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: HOME v. Meadowbrook, 7 p.m.

worry about all five of them—or all six of them if you count the quarterback,” Mills said. “It puts a big stress on the defense.

We’ve got the talent to do that, as long as they keep playing for each other and sticking to our goal.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

15

PREVIEWING MATOACA

New coach to lead

WARRIORS SQUAD

▲ The 2015 Matoaca Varsity Football Team has depth, individual talent, and a two-platoon focus that the coaches and players hope will lead to big things in 2015. NICHOLAS VANDELOECHT/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO

Individual talent could come together for big results

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

HESTERFIELD - With new head coach Derrick L. Johnson taking command of the Warriors varsity football team, he, his coaching staff and their student-athletes will work to resurrect what was once the rich tradition of Matoaca football.

“We’ve been doing this thing since March.

Kids have been working hard; a lot of kids have been committed,” Johnson said.

Matoaca will return about six returners

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each on offense and defense. As it stands, the team is built on speed - they have a state triple jumper in Anthony Warner at wide receiver and about six track runners on the team.

“We’re not mighty and meaty, but we’re going to counter with speed,” Johnson said.

While the head coach noted his players’ talent and athleticism, he said the team’s overall knowledge of the game is a little bit lacking.

“Right now we almost have a blank canvas with these young men. They’re athletic; we’ve just got to teach them the game of

football,” Johnson said. “Our job is just to coach them up and increase their knowledge in the weight room and on the football field as well.”

He pointed out runningback Jamison Harrison’s influential role last year and expects him to carry on that role again in 2015.

The junior showcased his explosiveness for the first time midway through last year when he rushed for 235 yards, scored three touchdowns on the ground and made three catches for 55 yards - all this coming against Class 4A Dinwiddie, who were the defending VHSL state champions at that time.

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Right now we almost have a blank canvas with these young men. They’re athletic; we’ve just got to teach them the game of football.

Our job is just to coach them up and increase their knowledge in the weight room and on the football ďŹ eld as well.

Coach Derrick L. Johnson Terrence WhitďŹ eld, a basketball player standing over 6’3â€? tall, will help out at wide receiver. Junior Justin Ford, who was the JV quarterback and also a baseball player, will step into the varsity QB position. Two-time state heavyweight wrestler Shan Helm holds a spot as defensive tackle. Offensive Tackle/ Defensive End Elijah Rivers has been highly recruited by schools including Appalachian State, James Madison University, Virginia Military Institute and Delaware State.

All-state punter John Gardiner and all-state kicker Justin Dyke - both of them seniors and soccer players - come back to Matoaca football for one ďŹ nal season. Gardiner is being considered by VMI and other places. “We’ve got some kids on both sides of the ball who are really going to help us out,â€? Johnson said. “We have some individual talent - we’ve just got to put this thing together.â€?

Matoaca will go for a two-platoon approach this season. “We’re looking at maybe about three or four guys who are actually going both ways,� Johnson said. “But for the most part, we’re going to have a separate offense and defense just because ... we really don’t want to tire our guys out, so we’ll try twoplatoon as much as possible.�

When it comes to the teams to beat in 2015, Johnson offered one word: “Dale.â€? “Not that we’re overlooking anybody, but just from this region ‌ you’ve got to beat Thomas Dale, you’ve got to beat Dinwiddie.â€?

Matoaca will also look to exact revenge on Manchester, who blew them out 43-7 last year. Johnson said there will be no slouches on the schedule.

Whether or not Johnson’s 2015 Warriors advance to the postseason, let alone reach states, the ďŹ rst-time head coach said he would like to see a majority of his seniors have the opportunity to play college ball. “Every little thing we do, it’s going to be a success,â€? Johnson said. “We’ve got 10 goals per week ‌ if we attain 70 to 80 percent of our goals, we win a ball game.â€?

Johnson, originally from Long Beach, CA, went to a junior college, was a Prop 48 kid in the 1980s, went to community college and transferred to Kent State University in Ohio, started coaching in the area in 1994 at James River High School, was with the staff when their team went on to win the Dominion district champions in 2000, relocated to Ohio in 2001 where he ďŹ rst became a head coach, wrapped up his last coaching stint in 2008, moved back to Virginia in 2011, and was a principal at an alternative school for the last few years and traded in the administrative role to come back to the classroom and coach the students. “And I love it,â€? he said. “With this Matoaca job coming up, this is one of the top programs in the area in my opinion. Athletically, facilities, staff and a community that loves football - you can’t beat Matoaca.â€?

2015 Schedule (Home Location: Matoaca High School, 17700 Longhouse Ln, ChesterďŹ eld, VA ) Week 1: Friday, Aug, 28: HOME vs. Manchester, 7 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 4: Away at Cosby, 7:30 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 11: HOME vs. Clover Hill, 7 p.m.

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: HOME vs. Prince George, 7 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: Away at Dinwiddie, 7 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: Away at Petersburg, 7:30 p.m.

Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: HOME vs. Meadowbrook, 7 p.m.

(HOMECOMING) Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: Away at Hopewell, 7:30 p.m.

Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: HOME vs. Colonial Heights, 7 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: HOME v. Thomas Dale, 7 p.m.

Team Rundown 2014 record: 4-6 Strengths: Speed Weaknesses/Challenges: Increasing football IQ

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

17

PREVIEWING HOPEWELL

BLUE DEVILS

explosive offense,

EXPECTATION: fast defense

▲ The 2015 Hopewell Varsity Football Team has depth and plenty of weapons on their side as they hone in on another potential playoff run. NICHOLAS VANDELOECHT/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO.

Tough schedule projected to benefit 3A squad in bid for postseason run

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

OPEWELL - Speedy. Experienced.

Leadership-heavy.

Blue Devils Football has several weapons in place to shoot for another playoff berth.

This time around in 2015, they’ll be playing without the athletic Darrell Taylor, who graduated this June and will play college

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football for Tennessee.

But Head Coach Ricky Irby feels they have a good group coming back with multiple starters on both sides of the ball.

“I feel like we’ve got a lot of experience, a lot of depth and I’m looking forward to a good year,” he said, adding, “We’ve got a great senior class here that really holds everybody accountable at practice, and with everything we do - weight lifting and so forth - in the offseason, we have a great

group of kids that really worked hard to get themselves in a situation where they can succeed.”

They’re ready to go with a solid quarterback in high school junior Cameren Hill, who will also be playing safety on the Blue Devils’ defense.

“Last year, we were breaking in a kid and we were breaking in running backs and had a lot of new kids in new positions,” Irby said.

“This year, we’re pretty much a little more set

in stone on who’s what and what we’ve got.”

Three-year starters Victor Figueroa and Ronnie Monroe and linebacker Maurice Green return to the lineup, and the coaching staff has its eye on three running backs who can deliver a strong ground game. Senior Anthony Crawford is coming back into the fold, sophomore Ronnie Walker has looked promising and junior Notorious Smith captured various camp awards in the spring.

“Ideally, we want to run the football - that’s our goal,” Irby said. “I think if you can establish a running game, it can really demoralize the other team, and so we want to establish the run, but we certainly feel like we can move the ball in the air if we have to.”

Hopewell has four starters back on the line, and the newcomer from junior varsity has put in the work in getting ready for his starting role, according to Irby. Lineman Lavon Cottemond (senior) has generated college interested based on his own springtime performance.

”

Ideally, we want to run the football - that’s our goal. I think if you can establish a running game, it can really demoralize the other team, and so we want to establish the run, but we certainly feel like we can move the ball in the air if we have to.

Coach Ricky Irby

Team Rundown 2014 record: 5-7, advanced to second round of playoffs Key starters lost: Darrell Taylor (DE/WR) Key returners: Victor Figueroa (Sr., WR/FS), Ronnie Monroe (Sr., WR/CB), Maurice Green (Sr., MLB/WR), Anthony Crawford (Sr., RB/LB), Lavon Cottemond (Sr., C/T), Cameren Hill (Jr., QB/FS) Strengths: Depth, experience, leadership, promising running game Weaknesses/Challenges: Small/undersized, tough schedule with bigger opponents With Hopewell’s mix of heavy senior leadership and rising stars, Irby sees his team taking a balanced approach on both sides of the ball this year.

“I really think we’ll be explosive offensively, but I think we’ll be very fast on defense,” Irby said. “We’ll be undersized at both. We won’t be really big on defense, but we’ll be really fast and we’ll be able to run the football.”

The Blue Devils seek to remain committed to building character and helping their student-athletes advance to the college level.

“We feel like winning football games will come as long as you’re doing those two,” Irby said. “We preach work ethic, hard work, commitment, dedication. We ask these kids to give up a lot and they do it for us, and we want to reward them by helping them become better men.”

Hopewell is gearing up for another tough regular season, facing the likes of 4A, 5A and 6A teams in Prince George, Dinwiddie, Matoca, Meadowbrook and Thomas Dale. But Irby noted that the experience of facing those teams will help them in going against teams their own size in the postseason. Beating other teams in Hopewell’s 3A conference - Petersburg, Colonial Heights and the like - in the regular season will remain a central goal for the Blue Devils. “Playing that tough regular season schedule definitely gets us battle-tested and ready for the playoffs,” Irby said, adding, “We feel like we’re going to go in and compete every game and see what happens.”

Overall, Hopewell’s taking the schedule one

2015 Schedule (Home Location:Merner Field, 103 North 12th Ave, Hopewell, VA 23860) Week 1:Thursday, Sep. 3: Away at Tabb, 7 p.m.

Week 2: Friday, Sep. 11: HOME vs. Powhatan, 7:30 p.m.

Week 3: Friday, Sep. 18: HOME vs. Hanover, 7:30 p.m.

Week 4: Friday, Sep. 25: Away at Dinwiddie, 7 p.m.

Week 5: Friday, Oct. 2: HOME vs. Petersburg, 7:30 p.m.

Week 6: Friday, Oct. 9: Away at Meadowbrook, 7 p.m.

Week 7: Friday, Oct. 16: HOME vs. Colonial Heights, 7:30 p.m. (HOMECOMING) Week 8: Friday, Oct. 23: HOME vs. Matoaca, 7:30 p.m.

Week 9: Friday, Oct. 30: Away at Thomas Dale, 7 p.m.

Week 10: Friday, Nov. 6: Away at Prince George, 7:30 p.m. game at a time. But their focus right now is on preparing to try and beat a good Tabb football team (Thursday, September 3) to kick off what they hope will be a strong 2015 season.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW | Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

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