Richard Quittenton passed for 135 yards and two TDs to lead Fork Union Prep (1-0, 1-0) past Norfolk Academy (0-1, 0-1) in Prep League action. Lewis Litkett returned a punt for 55 yards and tallied 37 yards rushing, and Nick Naimool hauled in three receptions for 56 yards and a TD for FUMA. Fork Union Military Acad.————————————- 6 14 20 0—40
Norfolk Academy————————————- 0 0 0 0—0

Lyndon Garner threw for four touchdowns and ran for another to lead Essex over King William last night. Garner connected with John Ellis on a 40-yard score, and with Eeon Hammond on passes of 21, 19 and 12 yards, respectively. Garner also ran for a 3-yard score. James Hence ran for 7and 12-yard TDs for the Trojans (1-0), who totaled 434 yards.

in predicted order of finish   2008 records: 6-1 Central, 6-4
  Offense: Williams lost nine starters and figures it will take time to get the unit to gel. The line will be a good starting point, with all-district guard Greg Gallop (6-2, 306 pounds) and tackle Spencer Randolph (6-3, 298) leading the way. They’ll be joined by center Josh Childress, guard Adam White, tackle Sam Hartman and tight end Mike Dudley. Airek Green is a prospect at running back with senior Demitrius Campbell at quarterback.

2008 records: 7-0 Colonial, 8-3
  Offense: Inexperience is the key word. Nine starters have departed. RB Easton Gordon (5-9, 170, Sr.) and center Josh Dolin (5-11, 235, Sr.) are the only holdovers. Gordon should be one of the region’s top running backs. Brendon Riddick (5-11, 175, Jr.) takes over at QB. He has a superb target in Derrick Britt (5-9, 170, Sr.). The line has good size with all the projected starters weighing 230 or more. Three of them are juniors.

in predicted order of finish   2008 records: 8-0 Dominion, 9-2
  Offense: A talented offensive line, anchored by a pair of 290-pound tackles (senior Allen Spurlock and sophomore Tyler Fisher) should make life sweet for whomever carries the ball. Lionel Williams (6-0, 170, Fr.) might be first in line for that duty. Senior RB Stephen Lee will add backfield depth.

T-D PRESEASON
TOP 10
1Varina (12-1): Reigning region Division 6 champions have enough firepower and defense to successfully defend. 2Highland Springs (6-4): Springers have enough firepower and defense to stay on Varina’s heels. 3L.C. Bird (9-2): An 11th consecutive Dominion District title and another playoff berth is there for the taking. 4Hermitage (8-3): The Colonial District favorite plays a brutal four-game stretch to open the season. 5Thomas Dale (6-4): Knights’ defense can get Dale back to the top in the Central District, but their first three games are against ranked teams. 6Meadowbrook (9-3): New Monarchs coach Troy Taylor has Andre Coble and many new faces in a solid program. 7Dinwiddie (12-2): The question facing the reigning region Division 5 champs is how will the Generals be without Adam Morgan? 8Manchester (8-2): If the Lancers can get some key holes filled, perhaps they can end L.C. Bird’s dominance. 9Cosby (6-4): The Titans’ growing program moves up to Division 6 and into a challenger’s position. 10Hanover (8-4): The Division 5 Hawks are good even though they too are filling a number of prominent holes.

in predicted order of finish   2008 records: 6-0 Capital, 12-1
  Offense: The Blue Devils averaged 29 points a game last season behind Trey Johnson (5-10, 170), who rushed for 1,969 yards and 21 TDs, and Hermon Norrell (5-10, 170), who threw for 1,491 and 21 TDs. They return for their senior season with speedy and talented Jerel Harrison becoming the primary WR. Marquis Wallace (6-4, 290, Sr.) stands out on a young line. Finding a place kicker to replace Cory Gay is the toughest task.

Varina at Hermitage, Sept. 25: T-D Top 10 powers are the favorites in their respective districts. The fact to remember is that the winner of this game the past two years has gone on to win the Central Region, Division 6 crown.
  Highland Springs at Hanover/Varina at Lee-Davis, Oct. 2: District play begins in the Capital with the top four teams playing each other. Hanover has come close but has never beaten Highland Springs. Lee-Davis challenged the Blue Devils last year and could do so again.

(Listed alphabetically) Matt Arkema, Midlothian, 6-3, 290-pound senior, OG/DT: Hard-hitting as a blocker and tackler, Arkema gives the Trojans an anchor on both lines. He works relentlessly in the weight room and was first-team all-Dominion District on offense last year. Has given a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech. . . .

in alphabetical order   2008 records: 9-2 (Independent)
  Offense: Benedictine has a strong receiving corps led by senior Drew Petrohovich (6-5, 185, Sr.). His twin brother, QB Greg Petrohovich (6-5, 195, Sr.), leads the offense again this year. Both are in the top 20 players to watch. The offense will be young in spots with a few sophomores seeing action, including WR Charley Meyer (6-1, 190, So.) and TE Nigel Williams (6-3, 240, So.).

A championship season is the result of talent, skill, preparation, dedication and a bit of luck. Even the best teams have seen championship hopes derailed when the wrong player suffered an injury at the wrong time. And some teams, perhaps not the most talented, had players who made the right moves at the right times in the right games.

Petersburg High School quarterback Eric McGruder rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 187 yards and two scores to lead the Crimson Wave to a 38-7 victory over visiting Halifax County (0-1) last night. McGruder hooked up with receiver Keith Johnson for touchdown passes of 75 and 55 yards in the first quarter. McGruder sandwiched scoring runs of 55 and 40 yards around a 29-yard touchdown run by DeMonte Gregory to give Petersburg (1-0) control of the game.

Petersburg High School quarterback Eric McGruder rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 187 yards and two scores to lead the Crimson Wave to a 38-7 victory over visiting Halifax County (0-1) last night. McGruder hooked up with receiver Keith Johnson for touchdown passes of 75 and 55 yards in the first quarter. McGruder sandwiched scoring runs of 55 and 40 yards around a 29-yard touchdown run by DeMonte Gregory to give Petersburg (1-0) control of the game.

Manny McClure ran for two touchdowns, and threw for another to lead the Central Virginia Disciples past Central Maryland. McClure connected with Thomas Gresham for a TD, and also had five interceptions. Jerome Wright, Ben Mooreland and Sam Kulenek each added a touchdown.

Aaron Roanes ran for two touchdowns, and brother Antonio contributed to two more in leading West Point over Chincoteague. Aaron had eight carries for 121 yards, including TD runs of 55 and 36 yards, while Aaron (eight carries, 188 yards) ran for a 36-yard touchdown. He also threw a 45-yard pass to Josh Ammons for a TD. Lavonte Brown started things off with a 20-yard run for a score in the first quarter, finishing with nine carries for 100 yards for the Pointers (1-0).