November 19, 2009
Minor’s injuries part of season of adversity at Michigan
The season has not been everything Brandon Minor hoped, nor has his college career. But his lifelong dream was to go to the University of Michigan. “I’m still happy,“ he said. “This has been a good experience. College life is good. Everyone should go through it.“
November 15, 2009
Highland Springs knocks off Varina for district title
Chalk up another victory for defense and special teams in a meaningful football game. Highland Springs blocked two field goal attempts by Varina, one at the end of the first half and the other with 18 seconds remaining, to edge the Blue Devils 17-16 yesterday afternoon before a crowd of about 4,000 at Highland Springs. The victory set off a joyful celebration for the Springers and their fans. Sixth-ranked in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, Highland Springs (6-0, 9-1) won the Capital District title and a guaranteed berth in the Central Region Division 6 playoffs next Saturday.
November 14, 2009
High school football: Highland Springs 17, Varina 16
John Saunders scored on a 14-yard run and Oscar Portillo kicked the extra point with five minutes left in the game to give Highland Springs a 17-16 lead over Varina, and the Springers’ defense blocked its second field goal attempt of the day with 18 seconds remaining to preserve the Capital District victory that qualified Highland Springs for the Central Region Division 6 playoffs.
November 13, 2009
It’s all or nothing
Offseason workouts began in January. Eleven months later, the Highland Springs and Varina football seasons boil down to 48 minutes on a rain-soaked field at Highland Springs. The anticipation has been there all season. So has the pressure. “It’s a rivalry like no other,“ Varina coach Stu Brown said. While other Group AAA regions in the commonwealth begin playoffs this weekend, Varina and Highland Springs are playing for the Capital District title and the huge reward that goes to the winner: a berth in the four-team Central Region Division 6 playoffs.
November 06, 2009
Football: Varina 62, Armstrong 20
Varina ran away from Armstorng—literally. The Blue Devils amassed 578 yards on the ground in their victory over the Wildcats. Trey Johnson rushed for 266 yards on 11 carries and scored four times as Varina remain undefeated in the Capital District at 5-0. The Blue Devils improved to 8-1 for the season. Breon Jones had six tackles (three for loss) as Varina scored on five of its first seven plays from scrimmage.
October 29, 2009
Girls volleyball: Henrico 3, Varina 0
Varina————————————- 23 18 24
Henrico————————————- 25 25 26
Highlights: Brittany Edwards (V) 4 digs; Tierra Bell (V) 5 kills, 3 digs; Allison Morris (V) 4 kills 2 digs; Ciara Alexander (H) 2 kills; Keri Gray (H) 4 digs; Jessica Hendrick (H) 34 sets; Mariellyn Hagy (H) 9 kills
October 23, 2009
Football: Varina 42, Henrico 7
Varina’s Tre Johnson’s 95-yard touchdown run was part of his 292 yard output against Henrico. Johnson also scored three times as the Blue Devils improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Capital District. De’Chavon Hayes had three carries for 66 yards and score. The Blue Devils were paced on defense by Addonis Robinson’s 11 tackles and a sack, Nick Taylor’s seven tackles and Dondrey Pegeas’ two interceptions and two tackles.
October 22, 2009
Girls volleyball: Hanover 3, Varina 0
Hanover————————————- 25 25 25
Varina————————————- 18 16 21
Highlights: Kayla Millner (H) 4 aces, 4 digs; Logan Majewski (H) 8 kills, 3 blocks, 3 aces; Mallory Moore (H) 14 assists; Jazmine Brown (V) 5 kills, 2 blocks, 6 digs; Stequita Cooper (V) 3 kills, 10 assists, 2 digs; Allison Morris (V) 3 digs
High school football notes
A healthier Trey Johnson ran his way into the Varina football record book last week against Atlee. Johnson, a 5-10, 175-pounder who led the Central Region in rushing last year as a junior, logged 330 yards on 19 carries in the Blue Devils’ 35-12 victory. The previous mark was 272 by Lamont Abrams in the Central Region, Division 6 championship game in 1999.
October 21, 2009
Field hockey: Atlee 6, Varina 0
Varina————————————- 0 0—0
Atlee————————————- 2 4—6
A: Leitch 2, Dietrick, Berry, Jackson, Murphy
Saves: Rawlings (V) 11; Lassiter (A) 0 Records: Varina 2-8 Capital, 2-9-1; Atlee 8-0-1, 13-1-1
Field hockey: Henrico 3, Varina 0
Henrico————————————- 0 2—2
Varina————————————- 0 0—0 H: Nardi 2 Saves: Phillips (H) 0; Aheimer (V) 3 Records: Henrico 5-4 Capital, 6-6-1; Varina 2-7, 2-10-1
October 20, 2009
Boys volleyball: Highland Springs 3, Varina 0
Highland Springs————————————- 25 25 25
Varina————————————- 18 15 14
Highlights: Bryan Williams (HS) 7 kills; James Whitaker (HS) 5 kills, 2 blocks, 3 aces; Deshaun Johnson (HS) 11 digs; Dylan Carlton (V) 6 digs; Cory Matheny (V) 2 blocks, 2 kills
Records: Highland Springs 7-1 Capital, 13-3; Varina 3-7, 4-14
October 16, 2009
Football: No. 4 Varina 35, Atlee 12
Varina running back Trey Johnson rushed 19 times for 330 yards and four touchdowns as No. 4 Varina routed Atlee. On defense, Varina’s Josh Doggett recorded 16 tackles, 1 assist and a sack. Atlee’s Drew Ferguson completed five of 15 pass attempts for 64 yards. Shaquille Williams had all 5 receptions, amassing 43 yards and Atlee’s only two touchdowns.
October 15, 2009
Boys volleyball: Atlee 3, Varina 0
Atlee 25 25 25
Varina 8 13 21
Highlights: Justin Crane (A) 5 kills, 10 assists, 7 digs; Jonathan Sperlazza (A) 16 digs, 3 kills; Kody Tingler (A) 5 blocks; Nick Poh (V) 5 kills, 7 blocks; Andrew Grainer (V) 13 assists; Steve Adams (V) 5 kills
Records: Atlee 7-1 Capital, 13-2; Varina 3-6, 4-13
October 13, 2009
Girls volleyball: Lee-Davis 3, Varina 1
Lee-Davis 18 25 25 25
Varina 25 15 22 20
Highlights: Jamie Bombardier (L-D) 10 kills, 7 digs, block; Jessie Cappello (L-D) 5 aces, 30 digs; Shelby Simmons (L-D) 2 aces, 3 kills, 8 digs; Jazmine Brown 6 digs, 3 aces, 9 blocks, 4 kills; Stequita Cooper (V) 3 aces, 15 assists, Allison Morris (V) 4 digs, 4 kills
