As the Raiders are now well underway with practice, they have a hearty goal for themselves. “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t win another state championship” said Dale Marks as he spoke with his team during a break in practice caused by a thunderstorm. Marks graduated two starters and lost another to transfer after last year’s undefeated season. That hasn’t dimmed his outlook for this year.
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The positive side of having youth on a football team is getting the kids prepared and understanding the system not only this year but many more to come. “The goal is to get my guys to play at a high level.” said the coach. The task will have to be done quickly due to the fact that the Grizzlies will face a very tough dark horse in Maury in their opener. “Maury has a very athletic team, but we are ready for them,” Coach Asprey says of Maury. No matter who Grassfield faces, look for the Grizzlies to compete and show a lot of people that age is just a number.
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The Princess Anne Cavaliers hit their peak in September last year. They broke a 42 game winless streak early in the season, but never found the magic again after that. PA will look to build on that high point, and they have some key players that are in position to carry the team.
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In year two, Head Coach Alonzo Coley is looking for Kecoughtan to hit its stride. The former Phoebus Assistant spent last year installing his system, getting his personnel straight, and getting himself settled into the job. Now, the Warriors should be ready to run.
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The Beach District has always provided a gauntlet for the teams to run. Because the eleven schools all play each other and only each other, some prosper while others falter. Kempsville last made the playoffs in 2009 and hasn’t finished the season with a winning record since 2005. Head Coach Jamaine Paddyfoot has been trying to right the ship for three years. Will the team break through this season?
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Several enter 2013 FBS competition (or former FBS competition) as the only former 757 player at his school. Some are freshmen, some are veterans with different paths. We’ll spotlight those who have gone off to college on a path less traveled. We’re calling them the lone wolves, attending school with no other players from The 757 and blazing their own trail.
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The Warwick Raiders have had a bumpy offseason. 2012 was the first year in the last six where Warwick didn’t make the playoffs. The squad graduated several star seniors, including running back Cardon Johnson and athlete Josh Butler. Head Coach Juan Jackson didn’t survive the offseason, getting dismissed after his team finished 4-6 last year. New Head Coach Bernard Griffin is breathing life into the program after a dark spring. He’s approaching 2013 with cautious optimism.
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James Madison University head football coach Mickey Matthews begins his 15th season in Harrisonburg during changing times. In six years of the prior 14, the Dukes reached the 1-AA playoffs (now “FCS”) pinnacled by a national championship in 2004. However, they failed to reach the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.
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Old Dominion is continuing their pursuit of the hottest local prospects. Green Run athlete Anthony Scott is a burner. Not only that, but he’s skilled on both sides of the ball. That’s what makes him very attractive to college coaches. Scott holds several offers, including James Madison, East Carolina, West Virginia, and Hampton University. His ODU offer is important, not only because of where he wants to play college ball, but also where he wants to play on the field.
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First Colonial Football has a rich history. Since the school’s opening in 1966, the Patriots have produced some notable football talent and sport a 309-170 win-loss record. Unfortunately, it’s been a number of years since they were a dominant program. In 1991, FC finished 11-1. They haven’t had a playoff year since 1998. That’s bound to change this year.
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