Bruton High School is a small school wonder in the Bay Rivers District. With a VHSL enrollment figured at 670, Bruton is a little more than half the size of some of their biggest district opponents like Grafton, Jamestown, Smithfield and Tabb, who nearly reach 1300 students. Coach Tracy Harrod led the Panthers to a 5-5 record, one season removed from an 8-2 season. Bruton lost in the State Championship game by only three points in 2009. Are they ready to rise again?
Just a few years off of five straight TCIS Championships, Norfolk Academy is rebuilding. The Bulldogs reeled off five championship seasons in a row from 2004 to 2008, but have been oddly quiet since. Head Coach Steve Monninger has been brought in to change that.
Old Dominion continues to be proactive when it comes to recruiting Hampton Roads. The latest offer from the Monarchs goes out to an ex-Beach District star who’s decided to go the private school route this year.
First Colonial took a big step forward last year under new Head Coach Sam Scarborough. Actually, it’s his second stint with the Patriots, but in 2011 they managed to finish with a winning record and they finished the season with a win over rival Cox. What’s in store for this year?
Local teams are prepping for the season and so is recruit757! We have the week captured in pictures, from practices at Deep Creek, Churchland, Hampton, Warwick, Lakeland, and many more to the scrimmages between Booker T. and Ocean Lakes, Hickory and Churchland, Norcom and Bayside… the list goes on.
The Grassfield Grizzlies found themselves in the Division 6 playoffs once again last year. It’s been five years since the founding of the school and the start of the program. In the first year, Grassfield failed to win a game. In every year since, they’ve been in the playoffs.
Portsmouth Christian football is a relatively new program. They get a new start this fall under new Head Coach Marcus Cutler. The Patriots were in the VISAA Division 3 playoffs just two years ago, and they’re looking to get back there quickly.
Hampton Crabbers Coach Mike Smith has been around the block a few times. He’s coached the Crabbers for 40 years. With that comes an approach that some might call “old school” and others would call “cynical”, Smith has a traditional approach to preparing for the season. His team is expected to win. That being said, he’s not offering up any bulletin board material for his opponents.
Warwick Running Back Cardon Johnson continues to be a hot commodity for colleges recruiting The 757. He hasn’t quite broken through and gotten that big Division I offer yet, but Johnson added a new offer from Division I FBS start up Charlotte. The 49ers are agressively diving into the local market of recruits.
For the Maury Commodores, 2011 was a fresh start. It was the first year of the Chris Fraser era as a head coach, and there were growing pains to go along with that. Coach Fraser expected a few bumps along the way. He also expects steadier ride for 2012.