Nathan Epstein of the WAVY/WVBT Sportswrap and I talked about the expectations for the coming season. Who’s on the rise? Who’s expected to finish on top? Who might surprise? Here’s some insight, and of course, you can check out the video interview for more.
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Green Run’s Shaun James came out of practically nowhere into prominence this offseason because of his build and his upside. James played well for last year’s 2-8 Stallions, and this year the team is poised to make a big leap forward with him at defensive end and new Head Coach Jeff McGowan at the helm. All that upside, and offseason camp performances, led to college offers for James. Shaun looked at his options, made a verbal commitment, and can now move on to focusing on the season.
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We’re headed into the football season, and it’s the first year with the new classification system set up by the VHSL. Coaches around the region are at varying levels of understanding regarding the implications of the new set up, and that’s created plenty of confusion. Scheduling was the first hurdle to jump, and the new playoffs have created questions as well. Coach Chris Fraser at Maury High School ran into scheduling problems of his own, and brings up yet more areas of uncertainly when it comes to the new plan.
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A 1990 graduate of Granby High School, Delton Cotton has always been around the game of football. From a great career at East Carolina University to coaching at Old Dominion, Cotton knows his way around the football field. But now his mission is much different. He has been asked to bring some stability to Norview High School and that’s not an easy mission. Cotton is the fifth head coach at Norview in the past four years.
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The All-757 Watch List starts here. In putting this together, I had an eye on the players that should ultimately have a shot at earning first, second, or third team honors this year. You’ll see some honorable mention candidates in the list as well, who with a stellar season, could skyrocket to the top.
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Football season is officially here! The camp season is over and Hampton Roads’ finest get to put on their helmets and pads for LIVE ACTION! We made a trip out to Lake Taylor’s first day of practice to get a glimpse at what the team is working on for the Fall and how it feels to return as State Champions.
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In early August, the heat was blistering and the sweat was rolling, yet Nansemond River was still practicing harder than ever. The Warriors were a bubble team for the VHSL playoffs last year and quite frankly, they want in and want to earn a chance to win a state title. Coach Tracey Parker even said, “It is time we get the playoff monkey off our backs.” A 5-5 season last year has the Warriors prepared to slingshot into a playoff appearance in 2013. Nansemond River is a Division 4 school, but for the time being, they’ll continue their Southeastern District schedule of the past. Playing teams like Oscar Smith, Western Branch, and Grassfield should show the true merit of this Warriors team.
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Lakeland High School graduate Zach Super had a tumultous high school career, and he’s had a tumultuous recruitment. The strongman quarterback from Suffolk started his career at King’s Fork, but transferred out after his freshman year. Issues arose and he had to sit out his sophomore season. His junior year was short lived due to injury, but his senior season was prosperous at the helm of Lakeland’s offense. Now his college plans have taken a new turn.
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Every year, it seems that Danny Dodson knows how to get his team to the playoffs. 2013 will be no exception. The Wolverines return a lot of key players, and their big game experience will serve them well this time around. Division 6 is notoriously difficult. Don’t expect Dodson’s team to be intimidated.
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The Matoaca Warriors started the preseason with a bang this year. Approximately 1,200 parents, fans, students, and curious spectators watched the Warriors’ First Annual Red-White Scrimmage. Brainchild of Coaches Pat Manuel and Fred Stoots, the Matoaca Warriors’ Red White Scrimmage is a team scrimmage, focusing on the base offensive and defensive calls established in the first week of practice. The event also allowed the coaching staff to meet the parents and fans to discuss football. Parents and fans had unprecedented access to the field, coaches, and players during the scrimmage. The event was also a fundraiser for money used to buy football equipment, enhance the weight room, and purchase new player uniforms.
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