Phoebus defensive end Mark Wilson has had a change of heart. Wilson committed to Old Dominion University in August as one of the latest Phantoms to feed the ODU football program. After an in-home visit on Wednesday, the Monarchs lost a top recruit.
In his junior season, Menchville place kicker Dillon Christopher was best known as the player that set the State Record with a 60-yard field goal. Christopher was getting recruiting attention from schools like Virginia Tech and Wisconsin, but scholarships are tough to come by for specialists. College interest ebbed and flowed, but Dillon had to continue to work.
Phoebus cornerback Robbie Robinson had a phenomenal freshman season for the Phantoms. The cornerback position is like being put out on an island sometimes, but the young man lived up to the challenge. His play got him selected for the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl that pits the best ninth graders from the USA against a ninth grade Canadian National Team.
For the second time in two days, a Western Branch senior has committed to play his college ball at Alderson-Broaddus. Daquan Pittman was a transfer from Oscar Smith who fit well into the system at Western Branch and had an opportunity to shine. Now Pittman will be taking his game to the college level.
Gray Television Charlottesville reported earlier Monday that Bayside running back and UVA commit Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell was arrested early Sunday morning by a Charlottesville Police officer. Mizzell is now facing one charge of underage possession of alcohol.
Last season, while running back Josh Marriner was piling up yards, Donte Shepard played a support role. Both Bruin backs were productive, but Marriner got the majority of the carries and bolted downfield to a 2000+ yard rushing season. Shepard blocked when he had to, carried the ball when he had to, starred on defense, and supported his teammates every way he could.
It took a trip to the NSU campus to convince Cox lineman Gabe Hollins. Hollins camped all over last summer, including camps for James Madison, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Old Dominion. Gabe was the stud of the Falcons’ line in 2012, and the big man is staying close to home.
Green Run Athletic Director Ryan O’Meara didn’t have to go far when it came to hiring a new football coach. Shawn Wilson stepped down at the end of the season. Wilson had guided the Stallions to several playoff appearances and a 37-25 record over six seasons. Green Run’s new head coach will be Jeff McGowan, who most recently was the head coach at Kempsville until the end of the 2006 season.
The Christopher Newport football program continues to build and grow, right in our own back yard. The 2012 recruiting class was a huge one for CNU, and several athletes from The 757 had huge freshman campaigns. The freshmen weren’t the only locals to star. The staff at CNU reminds us with a smartly produced highlight package from last season.
Bayside Head Coach Darnell Moore stepped down in December. The Marlins have been looking high and low for a head coach since then. There were over 100 applicants for the open position, but Bayside brass didn’t have to look far. Their ultimate hire was there all along.