PA’s Tim Montgomery shines at VWC Team Camp
Last year’s run by Highland Springs has Hermitage coach Patrick Kane scheming
by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757
Team: Hermitage (Richmond, VA)
Classification/Conference – 5A/11
– 12-1 (third round playoff loss to Highland Springs, 42-35)
Head Coach – Patrick Kane
Mascot – Panthers (Red, Blue, White)
Hermitage opened their season with a win over Highland Springs, dealing the Springers their only loss on the year. Hermitage’s season ended in the playoff with a loss to Highland Springs, dealing the Panthers their only loss on the year.
You can always count on Hermitage to be grouped with only a few teams at the top of the 5A class. Last season it was clear that Hermitage came into the year on a mission. Whatever chip they had on their shoulder from the 2014-2015 was quite evident when they knocked off Highland Springs week one. This gave the Panthers more than just drive, it gave them life. Their effort was sustained throughout the entire season knocking off Douglas Freeman, Manchester, and J.R. Tucker in route to a playoff berth. The Panthers finished the regular season 10-0 and appeared to never look back. After taking out Henrico with ease, Hermitage ran into a stiff L.C. Bird team before a rematch with Highland Springs. 48 minutes later, the Panthers were heading back home trying to figure out how they could lose to a team they took out earlier in the season.
Somehow Highland Springs found a way to prevail, leaving Coach Patrick Kane and the Panthers to get back to the drawing board. Hermitage is no stranger to success as it has made the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons. They’ve compiled a playoff record of 13-9 over that particular time span and look to make it to the playoffs for a tenth consecutive season. The Panthers are heading into the season a little light after losing at least season and are in need of production from new faces. Changes will be a necessary on both sides of the ball; however, it’s the offense that returns the most leadership.
There was no team that outscored Hermitage last season from a total offense standpoint in the Colonial District. The Panthers averaged team to that number was Douglas Freeman. The Rebels were only able to average 26 points per game. In 9-of- season the Panthers were able to put up at least 34 points in those outings. We shouldn’t expect anything different out of Hermitage on offense this season as they return at least seven seniors.
Woody Winborne (SR QB 5-11 170) assumes control of the offense from the quarterback position. The Division I prospect will lean on a trio of tall wide outs in Christian Velasquez (SR WR 6-2 180), Nasir Hines (SR WR 5-0 175), and Percey Mayers (JR WR 6-0 185) to handle matters through the air. Velasquez and Mayers are also Division I prospects who are looking to have breakout seasons with Winborne behind center. Winborne will be protected by Khari Edmundson (SR OG 6-3 315), Malik Lewis (SR OT 5-10 260) Marquise Jones (JR OT 6-3 270). Edmundson is a returning starter on the offensive line and is another strong Division I prospect along with Jones. Jordan Hall (SR RB 5-10 190) highlights the offensive bunch and is another returning starter for his talented group of men.
Defensively, the Panthers had another strong season in the Colonial District. Hermitage only allowed slightly less than 13 points per game as it was only overshadowed by Douglas Freeman in the total defense department. The Panthers were able to blank three teams on the season and ironically Douglas Freeman was one of the teams. Needless to say Hermitage had its best defensive outing since the 2012-2013 season. In contrast to the offense, the defensive unit looks to only return two starters at this point.
Landon Jones (JR DL 5-10 225), Jahmal Robinson (JR DL 6-2 220), and Mitch Jackson (SR DL 6-0 180) are projected to be the starters across the defensive line. No one from the defensive line started on a consistent basis last season as the line will need to bond on the hop. Mateo Jackson (JR LB 6-2 215), Saraan Goffe (SR LB 5-11 175), and Kahlil Fingers (SO LB 5-10 170) make up the linebackers on the second level. Jackson and Fingers come into the season as highly scouted Division I prospects and Jackson is the only returning starter for the linebackers. Shammond Fox (JR DB 5-11 180) heads into the season as the only returning starter for the defensive backs. Fox is another highly talented Division I prospect who adds experience to the secondary.
Player(s) to watch: “If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.” Khari Edmundson posted those words in a Twitter post back in May. Standing six-foot-three and 315 pounds Edmundson is a massive man. The rising senior is entering his final season at Hermitage and is positioning himself to make a major impact on the offensive line. “Snacks” appears to be getting interest from at least five college programs; however, is yet to receive an offer yet. Everyone always raves over the skill positions but Edmundson is a man that flattens most defenders he comes in contact with. He’s definitely a player that needs to be game planned for.
Overall, Hermitage has been in this same exact position before. Seeing as though they’ve made it to the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons we expect the Panthers to be in the mix this season. VHSL Reference has Hermitage ranked 11th in its preseason rankings and the top ranked team in the Colonial District. The Panthers lost a lot of fire power this past season, but that’s never stopped them before. They open up the season against Highland Springs, but then hold a favorable schedule throughout the rest of the season. It’ll be interesting to see if Hermitage can consistently play at a high level or if they’ll end up playing down to the level of their competition. Only time will tell.
– Brandon Mitchell
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