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COLONIALS
CENTRAL DISTRICT
COLONIAL HEIGHTS
2
Colonials experience a call to arms — Mears BY THOMAS C. DOZIER
T
SPORTS EDITOR
here is always strength in numbers. The more individuals that you can rally to your cause, the better. There are plenty of old sayings, which often apply to football, to explain the benefit of numbers. One such says: “It’s about creating strength in numbers, finding common ground and supporting each other.” But Colonial Heights High School does not possess the numbers, therefore the Colonials will have to rely on their quality to put their stamp on a successful 2011 Central District season. However, the best saying to describe Colonials Heights’ quality came from William Foster in his book, Igniting the Spirit at Work: Daily Reflections. “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” The Colonials key returning players include quarterback Derek Mears, a senior who
threw for more than 1,500 yards last season, and senior running back Mario Smith, who amassed 650 rushing yards last year. Mears is a gifted three-sport athlete, who also excels on the baseball field and basketball court, but the 6-2, 185pounder can be a difference-maker MEARS for the Colonials. He is a three-year starter who can make all the appropriate throws. Also the Colonials expect to get major contributions from senior center/linebacker Trevor Schoot, senior wide receiver Austin Emerson, who hauled in 24 receptions last year and junior defensive lineman Hayden Zinn. The Colonial Heights line, which includes both offensive and defensive line, will get a major boost from two newcomers Deonte Jenkins, a 6-3, 230pound senior, and Deanthony Babers, a 6-4, 265-pound sophomore. Also, Robert Dubberly, a 5-11, 160-pound junior, will make an
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appearance on both sides of the field at wide receiver and defensive back. The focus for Colonial Heights fourth-year coach Bert Krupp is up front. “We will go as far as our offensive and defensive lines progress will take SMITH us,” Krupp said. “In the [Central] district, the top four of Dinwiddie, Meadowbrook, Thomas Dale and Matoaca can all beat each other on any given night. “Petersburg is right on the edge of that and Prince George and Hopewell had some of the best young talent in the district last year.” Needless to say, Krupp thinks things are wide open, but finds his greatest pleasure on the sidelines “seeing our kids play hard and battle each week.” As a legitimate NCAA Division 1 recruit, or at the very least a I-AA, Mears will get an assist in the backfield from Smith, who according to his coach, has D-II, and D-III college
capability. Emerson will certainly be seeing a lot of attention from Mears at his wide-receiver spot. If the Colonials, who went 0-7 in the district and 2-8 overall last season, want to find success they must allow Mears the time to see his peers. “We have to protect our quarterback Derek Mears,” Krupp explained. “So he can get the ball to players like Austin Emerson and Mario Smith in space. So that they can use their [playing-making] abilities.” The remaining seniors on Colonial Heights roster besides Emerson, Jenkins, Mears and Smith on the roster are Ta’quan Davis, Devin Miles, Andrew Gaskin, Raffi Simon-Khachekian, Manny Jimenez, Kris Dunlap, Peter Baik and Quinton Drumright. Their senior leadership will be called upon often as the 12members of the senior class will be instrumental in the development of the other players, which include 11 juniors, four sophomores and one freshman. The Colonials open their season at home on Sept. 3 against Thomas Jefferson.
PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS
CENTRAL DISTRICT
2011 Colonial Heights High School football team.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS KEY RETURNERS
COACH
KEY RETURNERS: Senior QB Derek Mears, senior WR Austin Emerson, senior RB Mario Smith. OTHER RETRUNING PLAYERS: Junior LB Trevor Schoot, Junior DL Hayden Zinn. KEY LOSSES: Mark Negron-Boyle, Matt Mumford, Robert Johnson, Mack Krupp, Jesse Vaughan. TOP NEWCOMERS: Senior Deonte Jenkins, 6-3, 230, OL/DL; sophomore Deanthony Babers, 6-4, 265, OL/DL; junior Robert Dubberly, 5-11, 160, WR/DB. TEAM STRENGTHS: Senior quarterback Derek Mears, who is a three-year starter, can make all the throws and get the ball to the skill positions — especially Mario Smith and Austin Emerson. TEAM WEAKNESSES: Offensive and Defensive line must replace four three-year starters. And depth at every position.
Name: Bert Krupp, third year Age: 51 (fourth year as head coach, 29 years of coaching experience) Family: Wife Allison; Sons Kyle 22, Dylan 20, Mack 16. College: University of Virginia
KRUPP
Greatest moment in coaching last season: “Seeing our kids play hard and battle each week.” — Bert Krupp
The Schedule 2010 record: 0-7 Central District, 2-8 Overall 2011 schedule (all games at 7:00 p.m., unless noted) Friday, Sept. 3 THOMAS JEFFERSON Friday, Sept. 16 at Park View (SOUTH HILL) Friday, Sept. 23 ARMSTRONG Friday, Sept. 30 at Petersburg Friday, Oct. 7 at Matoaca Friday, Oct.14 HOPEWELL Friday, Oct.21 at Dinwiddie Friday, Oct.28 PRINCE GEORGE Friday, Nov. 4 MEADOWBROOK Friday, Nov. 11 at Thomas Dale
7:00 7:30 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00
Big games: Before entering Central District play, the Colonials have three winable games to help develop confidence and allow the young players to grow before entering the tough district slate. After that, the final seven games, Colonial Heights will look to improve upon its winless district record of last season.
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3
KNIGHTS THOMAS DALE The Schedule
F
BY COURT WILLS SPORTS WRITER
or second year Thomas Dale football coach Kevin Tucker this season is about getting back to the team’s roots — playing in-your-face power-I football. But in order to carry out that mission, changes would have to be made over the summer. Those changes involved going to the weight room consistently and getting faster. “The job was FIELDS something that I always wanted but I kind of went into it blind. There were a lot of responsibilities,” Tucker said. “We were very young and inexperienced and I think a lot of that came from a lack of prep time in the weight room during the prime time that we needed to be preparing.” Tucker took over after longtime Knights coach Vic Williams lost 4
his battle to cancer after having won the Group AAA Division 6 championship in 2009. Coming into last season, Thomas Dale had graduated 33 seniors leaving only 10 seniors, that included five players that had some varsity experience. The rest were in the beginning stages of being on a higher varsity level. “Coach Williams had definitely left us with a system that we knew how to prepare for, we were just very young and only had about FRYE 10 guys that knew that system,” Tucker said. But what a difference a year has made for the Knights football team, as many of the players have taken ownership and leadership, causing their teammates to be in the weight room. “We got re-energized and had about 50 kids a week coming to the weight room to get stronger
and better. It was a complete turnaround in which our strength is much improved which I think will help us to be able to win more tight ball games,” Tucker said. From working out four days a week from Monday to Thursday or gathering different groups of players to the local parks to lift rocks or run particular plays, the Knights were hungry to get back what they had always been before — winners. “Our biggest strength is our speed. We want to run more of that power run game of Thomas Dale. We want to get back to those roots,” Tucker said. With the exception of three players playing both ways on the football field, everyone else will be having one job to fulfill which is a valuable plus in terms of staying healthy and fit. Three players that Tucker is excited to take leadership of the Knights football team is Lorenzo Fields who will be sharing time with their featured backs along
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Please see KNIGHTS, Page 12
THOMAS DALE CAPSULE Key Returners: Lorenzo Fields, RB/CB; 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, a three-year starter. Quinton Taylor, QB/DB; 6-foot-1, 188 pounds. Desmond Frye, WR/DB; 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, who has committed to Virginia Tech. Anthony Prevost, K; 5-foot-6, 165 pounds. Aaron Green, LB; 5-foot-1, 185 pounds. Darius Spruill, LB; 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Zach Rhodes, OT; 6-foot-5, 270 pounds. Darius McKeeny C/WR. DJ Reid RB/athlete. Other returning members: Transfer David Robinson, a senior wide receiver: Brandon Bowe, senior C/LB. Key Losses: Sam Hartman, Demetrick Jackson, Ryan Nolan. Promising Newcomers: Freshman Darvis Taylor 6-2 280-pound fast and powerful freshman will play a lot on the defensive line; Junior Chris Bright 6-3, 250-pound tight end with great hands; Sophomore CJ Revis, a 6-1, 185-pounder; and sophomore Lamar Webster, a 6-0, 190-pound linebacker. Both will start on defense and both already have D-1 schools looking at them.
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Knights appear to have shining armor
2010 record: 4-3 Central District, 5-5 Overall 2011 schedule Sept. 9 at L.C. Bird 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Varina 7:00 p.m. Sept. 23 PETERSBURG 7:00 p.m. Sept. 30 MATOACA 7:00 p.m. Oct. 7 at Hopewell 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Dinwiddie 7:00 p.m. Oct. 21 PRINCE GEORGE 7:00 p.m. Oct. 28 at Meadowbrook 7:00 p.m. Nov. 4 L. C. BIRD 7:00 p.m. No. 12 COLONIAL HEIGHTS 7:00 p.m. Big games; The first five games — L.C. Bird, Varina, Petersburg, Matoaca and Hopewell — will provide tough competition for the Knights both outside the Central District and the games against the Crimson Wave and Warriors will go along way to determing district frontrunners.
CENTRAL DISTRICT
GENERALS
DINWIDDIE
HARVELL
Generals focus on accountability BY THOMAS C. DOZIER
T
SPORTS EDITOR
he Dinwiddie football team and its coaches do not like use the word rebuilding when it comes to an upcoming season. It is more in the area of reloading and retooling that will bring the ultimate rewards. The sad fact facing the Generals, on the surface, is this year’s team faces many challenges of the 2009 season. Both teams are coming into the season after the previous team claimed the Central District and Central Region title. In fact, last year’s team added to that mix Dinwiddie’s first unbeaten regular season. However, that 2009 team following the state runner-up team from 2008, finished the season with a 6-4 record and earned a region berth. But the amount of losses, the attitude and the way the team went out in the playoffs, still leaves the program with a black eye from the insider’s view. “The theme this year is to not repeat that season,” Dinwiddie coach Billy Mills said. “We will not do that again for a couple of reasons. I told this year’s team just the other day we
have just as much talent as that 2009 [team] but we also have just as much talent as the 2010 and 2008 teams. “The biggest difference in those good years is leadership – who is leading and who is following.” In 2009, Mills acknowledged that his quality juniors did not take on a leadership role until late in the season or waited until the following season to be heard. Another big plus, with the limited Dinwiddie roster (35 varsity players), is to use players both ways. “It is tough to run a two-platoon system when you have 35 varsity players and 20 of them are juniors “So we have to play guys both ways and we feel like we have great coaches on both sides of the ball to keep them pointed in the right direction. “I am really excited about the prospects of the upcoming season.” Drakar Harvell, an all-state defensive back, broke onto the Dinwiddie scene during his freshman year when he intercepted two passes from Tajh Boyd in the Group AAA Division 5 championship game at Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium. The 6-0, 195pounder has been making plays ever
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CENTRAL DISTRICT
GENERALS
6
DINWIDDIE
DINWIDDIE Continued from Page 5
since, on both sides of the ball, and will be asked to do more this season. You could say he is a big fan of the Generals program too. “It feels great to be a part of a great football program,” Harvell explained. “It not only gets you ready for football, but it gets you ready for life. The hard work that we put in pays off in the games and it leads to winning football games. But the best part is we have become a family.” Mills stated Harvell will line up on either side of the offensive line and will be asked to catch the ball in traffic. The other FINNEY receivers include Darius Hawkins and Sadarius Williams, who both had several breakout games late in the season last year, and Wesley Reed, who possesses Trey-Gardner like stature and will also be asked to go over the middle. Johnathan Sprucebank, the fastest player on the team, is currently nursing an injury but will be in the receiver fray as soon as he is cleared to play. It will be interesting to see what this team learns and carries over from that season and how they will implement that with this year’s team to avoid the pratfalls of 2009 and have the season they want to have. Or more importantly, a season they are capable of having.
“The biggest mistake that we made in 2009 was trying to do things the same way we did in 2008.” Mills, who is in his seventh year, said. “It was an honest mistake because we did go to the state championship game, but each team is different and must be handled differently to a certain extent. “We scrapped the two-platoon system which was not feasible because I had to split my coaching staff to do so. As a result we’ve got some twoway players that have helped us on both sides of the ball since making the switch. “This year like last, we have some youth, the difference this year is they are starting out in front on the depth chart instead of working them in mid-year like we did in the 2009 season when it became evident that our GOODWYN seniors were not getting it done. This will help us in bringing our younger players along and will help us down the road. “Don’t get me wrong, we’ve got some seniors starting, but the junior reserves from a year ago, who are now seniors, have had to battle all through pre-season to take an underclass player’s place and some haven’t been able to do this. “We have great effort and talent but we are making a lot of mistakes right now, we’ve got to go to work everyday to get better and so far these kids have shown that.” The Generals are still working through the mistakes of their first scrimmage against Bethel. One of the things Dinwiddie implemented to
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great success last season was a running game. The diminutive Andre Thweatt blew up with 1,206 rushing yards, not to mention him becoming the leading tackler in school history, and quarterback Chris Hall added 1,056 yards. Senior Bryan Finney, a 6-2, 190-pounder, will take over the signal-caller duties while a trio of running backs — Williams (5-10, 200-pound sophomore), Darius Johnson (5-11, 226-pound junior), Rashard Hicks (5-10, 175-pound sophomore) and Rashaad Goodwyn (6-1, 190-pound sophomore) will carry the load on the ground. Johnson will get most of the downhill carries while the others will become more off-tackle slashers. If all goes well they can duplicate the Hall-Thweatt numbers, which in turn could exhibit the strength of the Dinwiddie proWILLIAMS gram. The Generals’ six-player Unity Council — Finney, Harvell, Kates, Yoshi Monroe, Ronald Kearney and Elijah Harris — agree that the roles are interchangeable as long as everyone is in agreement of putting the work in and making the adjustments along the way. Dinwiddie is not always about a winning season, it is more about building a winning program. “It feels great to be a part of this program,” said the sophomore Harris. “It’s just a great experience and an honor to be taught by these coaches. We keep it going by our work ethic. Please see DINWIDDIE, Page 7
GENERALS
DINWIDDIE
CENTRAL DISTRICT
DINWIDDIE Continued from Page 6
“Even when people leave we do what we have to do like getting in the weight room and getting after it. “It’s a lot of work and really intense but its worth it and that we are as good as we are.” In 2009, the Generals were coming off a Central District championship, a Central Region crown and Group AAA, Division 5 runner-up finish. They made the playoffs but it wasn’t enough to go 6-4 and make the region playoffs. “You can learn a lot from different year’s teams,” said the senior Kates, who was a part of that team. “As a team, we could learn from what that team did wrong and what they did right. As a team, we could fix those little details in which made them unsuccessful. “In order to eliminate those mistakes, we have to study and pay close attention to those small details. So we are not heading in the wrong direction. “We have to keep sight on what to do and the goal ahead. Sometimes you need years like that in order for it to be a blessing or a crucial stepping stone later.” Monroe echoed the thoughts of Kates, since he too, was a member of that team. “To learn from the 2009 season, it starts with the off-season leadership,” Monroe said. “It is a huge difference from the leadership from the 2009 season and last year’s season. Both seasons had equal talent. Things we did as we learned from 2009, we got our teammates dedicated to football and made losing not an option. “We compete more to get our guys not to accept losing as in 2009 when some
guys thought it was OK. third year as a starter. But also the Gento detail. ‘This year we eliminated individual erals have experienced players like MonIn summary, Dinwiddie loses a ton of players and ones who threatened to roe, a senior with plenty of minutes football talent but returns just enough bring down our program or who didn’t logged over the past two seasons, Ronald experienced players to make a go of it. want to win. Cunningham, Jacory Fitzgerald and Furthermore, there are some promising “None of our teammates want anothToddric Bugg. athletes†that will join the fray, and the er 2009 season and that’s why we have On defense, Monroe will cement the tough early season schedule, which been busting our hind line and defense that includes non-district games against ends off since Januhas taken on a “run Monacan, Varina and Highland Springs. ary to the present.” to the ball” motto. The tough foes should prepare for reignLast season, the The 6-0, 250-pounder ing district and region champions for Generals entered the will take over the the always-tough Central District camseason with a handful aggressive role left by paign. of NCAA Division 1 Corey Marshall, a “Our goal is to win all 10 games,” prospects and the preformer three-year Mills said. “But we put together a tough season favorite of disstarter who is playschedule to prepare us for the district. trict offensive and ing at Virginia Tech. We don’t want to be shocked when we MONROE KATES defensive player of the Fitzgerald and Kelplay our first district game. And then we year. That is not true vin Weaver will join can go after trying to win the district this season. How will they cope? several of the players that will go both title.” ‘The guys that left from last year will ways on the three-man defensive front. It Harvell said the formula is much like be missed are greatly appreciated,” said was often if you found Marshall in the last year. Dinwiddie senior quarterback Finney. backfield last season, Monroe was right “It is simple we just have to take it one “But we won’t dwell in the past. We have behind him and vice versa. game at a time,” Harvell explained. “And a lot of young talent and couple of “I feel the offensive and defensive line take it step by step. We all have to dediseniors that know how to get the job have the potential to be just as good as cate ourselves to the program and come done, so we won’t miss a beat this year, last year’s,” Kearney added. “Because of together as a team.” we have just enough talent, if not more, their athleticism and experience.” In essence, get ready for the Monacan than we had in the past years.” Not to mention the collective attention game. Now it will just be a matter of going out and showing it. Over the past three years, the defense but more importantly the As the mother of four children who were active year-round in high school sports. I know the offensive line have gotten increasexcitement that goes with the competition on the field. But I also know all the great lessons that ing better. Both may be the keys in come from being a part of the team—hard work toward goals, teamwork, and sportsmanship. helping Finney settle in to†his new role. Best of luck to all the players, coaches, parents, and fans during the upcoming season. “Our offensive line is very talRE-ELECT REPUBLICAN ented and four out of the five are very experienced,” said the sophomore Kearney. “Our defensive line Chesterfield County • Board of Supervisors • Bermuda District is great too. Our defensive ends 804-748-4364 are fast and aggressive. Our nose www.dorothyjaeckle.com • dorothy@dorothyjaeckle.com guard has great size. The offensive line will be led by Paid for and authorized by Jaeckle for Supervisor senior center Kates, who is in his
Ready for Some Football
Dorothy Jaeckle
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2011 Hopewell High School football team 8
PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS
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BLUE DEVILS HOPEWELL The Schedule
Blue Devils have plans to surprise BY THOMAS C. DOZIER
H
SPORTS EDITOR
opewell is one of the few schools in the Central District that can claim it has a state title on its decade 2000s resume. So the Blue Devils know a thing or two about high school playoff-caliber football teams. This year as the post-season arrives, Hopewell might not be one of those teams looking from the outside in, with some improved play, a little luck, and riding the strength of its returning players, the Blue Devils might be in the middle of the playoff fray at the end of the season. Hopewell, which finished 4-6 overall (3-4 Central District) last season but had a spectacular win over Thomas Dale, returns nine players on the offensive side of the ball. That includes all-Central District running back Dashon Bowen, who at 5-6, 165-pounds, showed signs of electricity last year. Bowen will be joined in the one-back backfield by senior quarterback Quanta Gholson, who is on the verge of having a breakout season. But what be the real 10
and Ray Paden and center Tony Chambers. Brian Brantley, a 6-1, 185-pounder, will hold down the all-important tight end spot while the trio of Tabyus Taylor, Dequante Taylor and Juwaine Massenburg will be the three-fold targets of Gholson at wide receiver. According to Hopewell second-year coach Ricky Irby, the running game will be the focal point. “The running game should be a strength,” Irby said. “With all-district running back Dashon Bowen returning behind an experienced offensive line while dual threat quarterback Quanta Gholson looks to have a breakout year.” Eight returning players that include seniors Dequante Taylor, Deonte Taylor, Reggie Jackson, Nick Dunbar, Lamar Perry, Markus Adams, Fuequon Claiborne, OJ Daniel and Darius Priest will lead the defense. In fact, 10 of the 11 players on the defensive unit are seniors, the other one is Bowen who will be joined by the lone youngster sophomore Tyler Smith (6-2,
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TEAM CAPSULE KEY RETURNERS: Senior Lamar Perry, LB,; Senior Fuequon Claiborne LB, Senior Dashon Bowen RB/CB, Senor Reggie Jackson DE, Senior Darius Priest FS, Senior Juwaine Massenburg WR, Senior Kyle Mays, tackle. OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS: Dequante Taylor, WR; Brian Brantley, TE; Tony Chambers, center; Jacob Roark, G; Howard Warren, T; Nick Dunbar, kicker; Markus Adams, LB; OJ Danile, CB. PROMISSING NEWCOMERS: Tyler Smith, DT; Tabyus Taylor, WR; Octavious Taylor, QB/ROVER; Ray Paden, OL; Donovan Ennis, WR. OUTLOOK: Offense — Running game should be a strength with All-District RB Dashon Bowen returning behind an experienced offensive line. Dual Threat QB Quanta Gholson looks to have a breakout tear. Defense — Our linebackers will lead the way as all 3 of them will be 3 year starters led by D1 recruits Lamar Perry and Fuequon Claiborne. Manning the secondary will be All-district free safety Darius Priest. Soph. Tyler Smith Is a name to remember as he has had an excellent off-season and is poised to have a breakout year.
250-pound tackle). A player that the coaching staff says “is worth keeping an eye on.” The linebackers are key to stopping the prolific offenses in the Central District. The trio of Perry, a 6-2, 185-pounder; Adams, a 5-11, 175-pounder; and Claiborne, a 5-11, 180-pounder will be filling the holes faster than
Spackle on a drywall. “Our linebackers will lead the way,” Irby explained about the defense. “As all three of them will be three-year starters led by NCAA Division 1 recruits Lamar Perry and Fuequon Claiborne while manning the secondary will be all-district free safety Darius Priest.”
CENTRAL DISTRICT
2010 record: 3-4 Central District, 4-6 Overall 2011 schedule Sept. 9 at Cosby 7:30 PM Sept. 16 at Lee-Davis 7:00 PM Sept. 23 BRUNSWICK 7:00 PM Sept. 30 MEADOWBROOK 7:00 PM Oct. 7 at Thomas Dale 7:30 PM Oct. 14 at Colonial Heights 7:00 PM Oct. 21 MATOACA 7:30 PM Oct. 28 at Petersburg 7:30 PM strength of this unit is the offensive line Nov. 4 at Dinwiddie 7:00 PM that consists of tackles Kyle Mays and Nov. 11 PRINCE GEORGE 7:30 PM Howard Warren, guards Jacob Roark
CENTRAL DISTRICT
WARRIORS
MATOACA
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Warriors experienced at the skill positions BY COURT WILLS
F
SPORTS WRITER
or the Matoaca football team, there is unfinished business. After a hard but positive down the stretch loss against Central District rival Thomas Dale, the Warriors are ready to finish where they left out. On top that is. With the return of a healthy and stronger Michael Birdsong at quarterback, Matoaca wants to take the Central District by storm. “Without a doubt they are learning. Down the stretch we had such a tough schedule and these things played strong against some undefeated teams,” said Matoaca football coach Pat Manuel. “This is a very quiet and business-like team that wants to win and like to play football.” Prior to last year’s football season, a then rising junior in Birdsong, fractured his fibiula on his left knee causing him to have surgery and miss quite a few games for the Warriors. It was a hard lesson to learn for the now senior as he focused hard over the summer going to camp after camp to improve his skills as one of best quarterbacks in the district. “He’s definitely bigger and stronger at 6-4, 225 pounds, he lifts like an offensive lineman and
MICHAEL BIRDSONG
bench presses above what he needs to do,” Manuel said. “He’s got all the real intangibles as a great quarterback would have. He likes that desire to compete.” One of Birdsong’s greatest strengths if not his physical mechanics but his ability to crumble under pressure if adversity arises. “He’s an accurate passer but he doesn’t get rattled very easily. His big thing that we wanted to get better was his throwing time and he’s done that above and beyond in going to mini-camp after mini-camp every weekend.” With the way that the season ended last year, Matoaca was beginning to come together in ways that could be valuable in the long run - meaning now in the 2011 season. “After the end of last year’s season I promised myself that I needed to get strong and bring Matoaca football back to the school the way it used to be,” Birdsong said. “My doctors didn’t think that I could come back that quickly, but my dad and I worked hard and put together the right mindset.” For Birdsong, that Matoaca glory is “hard hitting football with the crowd showing up yelling and screaming for that old Matoaca tradition of football.” “We have unfinished business. After that Thomas Dale game all we wanted to do was get
TEVIN JOHNSON
back to the grind and be ready to strike back,” Birdsong said. By the leadership and dedication Birdsong, many other Matoaca players started to gather the force with the value of getting stronger as a cohesive unit. “By the end of July we all were in the weight room getting stronger and practicing in the parks running plays,” Birdsong said. Not only will there be Birdsong at the top of the helm, the running game of Matoaca will be much improved. With the likes of DeQuante King, Khalil Coleman and SeQuan Franklin-Scott, there is good variety for the Warriors to pick up sound yardage. “The key to coaching is to take what you have and have them work together to the best of their ability and this is a talented group,” Manuel said. “We are all on the same page.” Come the first game of the season next Thursday against Cosby, Matoaca wants to get off to a good start. “We always say that you have to win the right seven games because of us being in Division 6 of the Central District, but we want to win every game or at least try to become one of the best,” Manuel said.
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THOMAS DALE HEAD COACH
Name: Kevin Tucker Age: 31 Family: Wife Ashley, daughter Sydney. College: Hampden Sydney College 2002
THOMAS DALE OUTLOOK
Team strengths: The line and running backs love to play old-school football — 4 yards and a cloud of dust. They are big and powerful. The defense is a fast as it has ever been. The Knights return a kicker (Anthony Prevost) that is good from 47 yards out which is a big scoring threat. The overall team chemistry is great. According to coach Tucker, “these kids all work hard for one an other.” Team weaknesses: The depth of the defense. After the Thomas Dale starting line, it only has two or three players who can back them up. Tucker pointed out, knowing how to win in the second half will be important. “Last year we played with everyone until the third quarter then we fell
apart,” Tucker said. “So until we prove we can play four quarters that is a weakness.” Overall Season Outlook, including a glimpse at the Central District by Coach Tucker. “I think we are the team to beat this year. in the Central District,” Tucker said. “Hopewell is the surprise team to watch because they could be the playoff team in Division 5. “Meadowbrook and Dinwiddie are also tough and will play us to the wire every time we play. “Petersburg is young but very fast. Colonial Heights and Prince George will be much improved from last year. From top to bottom. it will be the toughest district in the region.”
KNIGHTS Continued from Page 4
with quarterback responsibilities; second is Tres Humphrey who both on and off the field has been impressive switching from the center to guard position at 270 pounds as well as improving his speed to a 4.9; lastly is Desmond Frye ,who by his actions on the field, will be able to make a lot of plays for the team. “Last year I had a lot of juniors and sophomores and I did more than I wanted to change. I had to spread people out because of what I had,” Tucker said. One of the biggest things that Tucker has taken from his late mentor is how to be the tough coach. “Coach Williams would always tell us assistant coaches let me be the bad guy. During the whole time that I played under Vic I thought that he had hated my guts but it was just that he wanted me and all of us to be the best that we could be,” Tucker said. “He would chew players whereas I 12
was being more lenient and I needed to be the disciplinary coach. I am understanding how to be that kind of coach, one that is a teaching and holding his team accountable.” Plus while many outsiders thought that Tucker might have been changing too much last year, that was not true. “I was just using the plays that we had never used out of the 10 main formations that we had developed with Coach Williams. We only maybe had used three of those plays during the time he was coach but really I hadn’t designed any new plays,” Tucker said. “I was trying to see if they would work with the team.” With those 10 formations Tucker plans on continuing some of those formations but wants to mainly focus on what has defined Thomas Dale football for many years — hard-nosed powerful running and strength. “Our pass-and-run protection will be much better. We want to be able to run and throw the ball and be very strong upfront which I think that we have improved a great deal,” Tucker said.
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Greatest moment in coaching last season: “I think the last win of the year vs. Matoaca — the seniors and coaching staff were having a rough year,” Tucker explained. “I had talked to coach [Vic] Williams the night before and knew it would probably be the last game he would probably be able to listen too. So we dedicated the game to him and went out and won the game Coach Williams style, run the iso/power run game and won a hard-fought battle between to tough teams. We sent the game ball to him after the game and it brought a big smile to him to know how much those kids loved and missed him.”
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CENTRAL DISTRICT
KNIGHTS THOMAS DALE
Another change that has been made to this season for Thomas Dale is playing its biggest out-of-district rival in L.C. Bird twice in the Battle of Chester. Once in the beginning and once at the end of the season. These two teams are about six miles apart and draw an overwhelming amount of people causing a great football atmosphere. “We are always trying to find competitive games before the district season starts. It gives us a good gauge on what to get ready for in our tough district,” Tucker said. But when that Central District season starts, it will be a shootout this year to see who will be on top with many teams regrouping. “We want to take pride in ourselves and with that we know that every week is a playoff game for us because of the caliber of teams we have in the district,” Tucker said. “Anyone can sneak up on anybody like Hopewell did against us last year. You have to be able to win Division 6 in order to go to the playoffs.”
PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO
2011 Petersburgh High School football team
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CRIMSON WAVE PETERSBURG The Schedule
2010 record: 5-2 Central District, 7-3 Overall, Central Region semifinalist 2011 schedule Friday, Aug. 26 Friday, Sept. 9 Friday, Sept. 16 Friday, Sept. 23 Friday, Sept. 30 Friday, Oct. 7 Friday, Oct. 14 Friday, Oct. 21 Friday, Oct. 28 Friday, Nov. 11
CENTRAL DISTRICT
KEY RETURNERS
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Quardrick Barnes, OT/DL; 6-foot-2, 305 pounds. Darcell Whitaker, OT; 6-foot-4, 305 pounds. Ahmod Pair, WR/LB; 6-foot-0, 185 pounds. Desmond Harris, OG; 6-foot-2, 285 pounds. Ray Prosise, DL; 6-foot-0, 245 pounds. OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS: Quadree Walker, LB; 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. Devondre Pollard, DB/WR; 5-foot-10, 175 pounds. Marion Harris, DB/RB; 5-foot-10, 165 pounds. KEY LOSSES: Kevin Green, Keith Johnson, Demonte Gregory, Damond McGlaughlin.
PROSISE
Big games: The Crimson Wave opened the season with a 34-33 win over GW Danville. The tough stretch will come next with three road games in September before they finish the season with consecutive games against Meadowbook (on road) and Hopewell and Dinwiddie at home.
Crimson Wave has surprises in store BY COURT WILLS
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SPORTS WRITER
here is already that notion that maybe the Petersburg football team won’t be as good this year without the likes of University of Virginia’s Kevin Green. Think again. Change is a good thing. But so is tradition with the back-to-back trips to the Central Region playoffs. With the graduation of 13 players and the return of 34 players, the Crimson Wave football team is rearing to go. This will be the last of the first group that fourth year Petersburg football coach Mike Scott had when he first took the job. “They are my pioneers. I can tell you that my workload is less because they understand what I want to have done and are able to police each other,” Scott said. “I love coaching this team.” One thing that is hard for a coach to teach his players is for them to understand the imminence of the now. That this is your team. “This year my returning players learned the difference of working harder than before. They know we
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PAIR
GW Danville Win HUGUENOT 7:00 p.m. at Garfield 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Dale 7:30 p.m. COLONIAL HEIGHTS 7:00 p.m. at Prince George 7:30 p.m. MATOACA 7:00 p.m. at Meadowbrook 7 p.m. HOPEWELL 7 p.m. DINWIDDIE 7 p.m.
lost a lot of talent and that you cannot replace a player like Kevin Green or a Keith Johnson, but that you can be your own team that will be great,” Scott said. “They are a more disciplined and accountable team.” Scott loves the fact that many of his players challenged themselves to play another sport with that sport being track and field. “We are very fast and the biggest reason for that is because my guys run track and field. We are much stronger in the skill positions and on the offensive line we have more experience,” Scott said. “Defensively there isn’t as much talent but we are much better tacklers.” Performing well at the skill positions however has not really been much of an issue for the Crimson Wave due to their natural athleticism, but being a little faster and a little stronger doesn’t hurt. One of those athletes being Ahmod Pair who last year was a versatile player and the back-up quarterback to Green. Scott expects big things from the rising senior. “It’s clear to see that Ahmod is one of the leaders on this football team. He is the type of player that you always need to have on the football field no matter
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what,” Scott said. “There will be no one like Kevin Green, he is a dime a dozen, but Kevin made sure to teach him how to become a leader and you can see that.” Similar to Green, Pair will have an athletic back-up quarterback in sophomore Levey Jones who went 14 of 15 in the last scrimmage Petersburg had. Besides two good quarterbacks, Petersburg will have a plethora of running backs in Mardell Abrams and Marion Harris who are both seniors. “Mardell and Marion are good complements to each other. They each do different things that are good at different times in the game,” Scott said. However, defensively and special teams will have to continue to get better along the way for the Crimson Wave. “This defense kind of is lacking experience but they are slowly finding ways to gel. We are smaller but definitely are quick,” Scott said. “With Ray Procise and James Dugler a transfer from Benedictine,we have two great leaders in those two.” But needless to say Petersburg will be ready to compete for the third consecutive trip to the Central Region playoffs.
ROYALS
PRINCE GEORGE
The Schedule 2010 record: 5-2 Central District, 7-3 Overall 2011 schedule Friday, Sept. 9 Friday, Sept. 16 Friday, Sept. 23 Friday, Sept. 30 Friday, Oct. 7 Friday, Oct. 14 Friday, Oct. 21 Friday, Oct. 28 Friday, Nov. 4 Friday, Nov. 11
at Clover Hill THOM. JEFFERSON JOHN MARSHALL at Dinwiddie PETERSBURG MEADOWBROOK at Thomas Dale at Colonial Heights MATOACA at Hopewell
7:-30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
CENTRAL DISTRICT
TEAM CAPSULES KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Caleb Johnson, LB; 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. Daquon Chapman, RB; 6-foot-0, 205 pounds. John Ford, QB; 5-foot-11, 185 pounds. Travis Barglof, OT; 6-foot-2, 255 pounds. Conner Stevenson, RB; 5-foot-9, 205 pounds. Keith Jefferson, WR; 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. Travis Taylor, K/P; 5-foot-9, 155 pounds. KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Joseph Purnell, Darius Dawsey. Dominique Walker, Josh Slavenhoupt (CHECK THESE) KEY LOSSES: Lawrence Taylor, Albert Williams, Thomas Miller, Jon Williams, Dominique Washington, Anthony Grant.
TO SEE MORE FOOTBALL TEAM PHOTOS SEE B SECTION OF SPORTS SECTION. PATRICK KANE/STAFF PHOTO
JOHN FORD
PATRICK KANE/STAFF PHOTO
CALEB JOHNSON
Royals continue on upward trek BY THOMAS C. DOZIER
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SPORTS EDITOR
he past week has presented the area with plenty weather developments and that is never more so than at Prince George High School and the Royals football team. The Prince George team, with some key elements in place, appears to be a storm in the horizon that can strike at anytime. As Andy Warhol once said: “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” The Royals have plans to change things themselves. The team will start the 2011 with 16-year veteran coach – Bruce Carroll – who came over from Windsor and is now in his third-year coach-
ing the Royals. Also, back is junior quarterback John Ford, who once he found his way under center in the Prince George offense last season as a sophomore, good things started to happen. The Royals team, which was 1-9 in Carroll’s first season, improved to 37 last season and one a few early-season games before faltering down the stretch. Prince George lost its final five games, all Central District contest. However, the offensive backfield, which lines up in a spread offense, should be the key to hold district opponents at bay. It starts with Ford, a 5-11, 185-pounder, along with two stout running backs Daquon Chapman and Conner Stevenson. However, in the spread option the key will be efficiency – meaning no turnovers and converting first downs.
Ford has an able wide receiver to throw to in Keith Jefferson, WR; 5foot-9, 185-pounder, who will receiver many of the throws from the junior QB. And the biggest mainstay on the offensive line is Travis Barglof, 6-2, 255-pound tackle who will provide blocking and protection. The good news is the team returned two key players – Caleb Johnson on defense and Travis Taylor, who will handle all kicking chores. Johnson, a 6-2, 20-5-pound senior junior, was an all-district performer last season at linebacker while Taylor, a 5-5, 155-pounder, has the ability to put points on the board and drop the opposition deep into their own territory. “We must be an opportunistic club that does not make mistakes,” Coach Carroll told virginiapreps.com. “Being tough on defense, great on
special teams, and effective on offense are the ingredients to our success.” The good news for the young squad is the team doesn’t start the season until Sept. 9 but the bad news is the Royals will face one of the best teams in the Dominion District on the road, Clover Hill, and there highly recruited QB Joel Caleb. However, they play two straight home games that could produce a winning record before entering district play. The most difficult point again this season for Prince George, is the district is very tough, and it plays three straight games against the meat of the district – Dinwiddie, Petersburg, Meadowbrook, and Thomas Dale to open the Royals district campaign.
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