Bethel product Rutland returns to Peninsula
Indian River lost a lot of talent to graduation
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
Team: Indian River (Chesapeake, VA)
Classification/Conference – 5A/9
– 11-3 (state semifinal loss to Highland Springs, 35-10)
Head Coach – Glenwood Ferebee
Mascot – Braves (Navy Blue, Carolina Blue, White)
2015 was the year for Indian River to take a huge leap forward and they did. Under Coach Glenwood Ferebee’s guidance, the Braves moved from 1-9 in 2013 (before Ferebee’s arrival) to 8-4 in 2014, to 11-3 in 2015. They lost to Highland Springs in the 5A South Semifinal and Highland Springs went on to win it all.
Now, quarterback Tyre Givers-Wilson has graduated and moved on to NSU. Linebackers Tavante Beckett (Virginia Tech) and Jaquan Yulee (Marshall) have graduated. Lineman Kevin Staton (Norfolk State) and running back Tyain Smith (VMI) are gone as well. High school football is about evolution and reloading. This is a reloading project and not a rebuild, right?
“We pride ourselves on getting the ball to our athletes in space and letting them work,” said Ferebee after a recent scrimmage with Ocean Lakes and Heritage. “I know we lost Tyre Givers-Wilson, which is a huge blow for us, we lost Tyain, but now we have a quarterback that can run, and a couple of running backs that can run. It’s a surprise for people to see Devon (Hunter) back (in the backfield) and I think he’s going to have a huge year.”
Devon Hunter (SR FS/ATH 6-1 205) is one of the highest rated players in the state. He found himself with the pressure off of him the past few years after doing everything as a freshman at Indian River. In 2013, he played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, returned kicks and punts… he did it all. With so many stars moving on, Ferebee will put a little more weight on Hunter’s shoulders.
“Our offense should be explosive,” said the coach. “In addition to Hunter and (Keyshawn) Brown (SR QB 5-10 170) we have D’Jon Askew (SR DB/WR 5-11 160) Germeek Knight (SR WR/DB 5-10 165) and Demetrius Green (SO RB/DB 5-10 175) that will supply a lot of speed on the offensive side of the ball.”
As for the defense, Ferebee has them pegged as “young, fast, and aggressive.”
They’ve spent all spring and summer maturing with Devon Hunter as the leader of the defense. Sophomore linebacker Ahshawn Moore (SO MLB 6-2 225) has already received scholarship offers from Marshall, Auburn and Virginia Tech, before logging any serious time with the varsity squad. He played behind Jaquan Yulee last year. Moore’s size, length, and reputation as a fierce presence earned him early offers.
Second Team All-State selection Bruce Boone (SR OL/DL 6-2 315) will anchor the line on both sides of the ball as Indian River regroups and looks to make a state title run. Hampton, Nansemond River, Norview and perhaps ultimately Highland Springs, stand in the way of a title run.
“We expect to compete for state title, that’s always the expectation,” Ferebee stated. “We were one game away last year.”
The memory of a narrow loss to Oscar Smith and a playoff loss to Highland Springs keeps the players and the coaches motivated. They’re not expected to be perfect, but the players certainly have a better understanding of what it takes to get to the promised land. Nothing’s guaranteed. All of it is earned, and they hope they’ve paid their dues in the preseason so that their season ends in December with a victory.
Others to watch: Keenan Moore (SR OL/DL 6-3 245), Isaiah Hyman (JR DB 5-11 160), Laquan Bryant (SO DB 5-11 170), Charles Dixon (SO DE 6-0 235), Dejon Yearling (SR RB/LB 5-10 200)
– Andy Hilton
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