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Capital District preview

By Staff Reports
Published: September 3, 2009
Updated: September 3, 2009

in predicted order of finish

Varina

Coach: Stu Brown
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.
Defense: Several stars graduated and left holes that have to be filled. That rarely is a problem in this program. Brandon Wells (5-8, 243, Sr., DT) returns on the line. Addonis Robinson (5-10, 210, Sr.) and Jonathon Jones (6-1, 178, Sr.) are solid at LB. Nick Taylor (5-10, 172, Sr., DB) provides experience in the secondary.
Outlook: Varina is the reigning Central Region, Division 6 champion. The Blue Devils aren't shoo-ins to repeat, but the offense is good enough to take them to the top again. They will get a substantial challenge in the district from Highland Springs and Lee-Davis. The tough out-of-district schedule includes Div. 6 region contenders Hermitage and Thomas Dale, and the Devils open with defending Region 5 champ Dinwiddie.

Highland Springs

Coach: Loren Johnson
2008 records: 5-1, 6-4
Offense: Starting QB JaQuan Burchette (6-0, 209, Sr.), who probably will play DB in college, is tough on defenses because he can pass and run. RB John Saunders rushed for 960 yards. WRs Marcellus Carter (5-8,150, Jr.) and Wyatt Johnson (6-0, 184, Sr.) are excellent targets. Derrick Hopkins (6-1, 288, Sr., G), Suliman Fareed (6-0, 240, Sr., T), Alex Mosley (6-2, 258, Jr., T) and Wayne Pugh (6-2, 200, Sr., TE) are experienced linemen.
Defense: Opposing offenses have to deal with Hopkins, a two-time All-Metro defender bound for Virginia Tech, up front along with Rashad Winston (6-1, 248, Sr.) who can play both ways and has committed to the University of Richmond. Then there's James Turner (5-11, 240, Sr.) and DeShawn Holmes (5-10, 184, Sr., committed to UR) at LB. Holmes is playing some RB as well. The secondary is inexperienced despite seniors Saunders and Doug Yancey.
Outlook: The Springers and Coach Johnson have had a year to get to know each other. Two forfeits ended Highland Springs' playoff hopes last year. Look for the Springers to be back in the chase. They, like Varina, can't look past Lee-Davis or Hanover to the traditional regular-season finale. The Springers open with region Div. 6 runner-up Meadowbrook.

Hanover

Coach: Josh Just
2008 records: 4-2, 8-4
Offense: The Hawks are without four-year starting QB Josh Wells. There's competition for the spot between former WR Tre Facison (5-11, 185, Jr.) and freshman Sam Rogers (5-11, 195). Deane Cheatham (6-0, 210, Jr.) is a proven RB and pass catcher. Chris Lee (5-9, 165, Sr., RB) had some good games last year, and Kenny Morris (5-8, 160, Jr.) is in the mix at RB. Jeremy Yorke (5-11, 170, Sr.) and Danny Trsic (6-2, 170, Sr.) are top targets for whoever is QB. The line returns: Alex Brown (6-1, 240, Sr., G) and Kyle Williams 6-0, 260, Sr., T).
Defense: Two-time All-Metro LB Kenny Fryman left a hole, but Blake Jones (6-0, 215, Sr.), an outstanding lineman the past two years, moves seamlessly into the spot. Jones has committed to Ohio University. Seven other returning players join Jones to give Hanover a formidable unit. The entire secondary is back and only Patrick Roche is a senior. Aaron Phillips (6-0, 185, Sr.) and Matt Pocta (6-0, 220, Sr.) anchor the line.
Outlook : Hanover won the Central Region Division 5 title in 2007. It played for the title last year and suffered its only Div. 5 loss to Dinwiddie. The Hawks' schedule is difficult again, and they still are looking for that first win over Highland Springs and Varina, but there is no reason to think the Hawks won't be in the playoffs again.

Lee-Davis

Coach: Jason Meade
2008 records: 3-3, 4-6
Offense: Leading rusher Tucker Walton (5-8, 195, Sr.) can run, catch and block. QBs Phil Gardner and William Coalson have Justin Becker, Will Connerley and Chance Stone to catch passes. Matt Doty (5-11, 225, Sr., G) and scrappy Dylan Harvey (5-10, 185, Sr., T) anchor a young line.
Defense: The linebackers and secondary are the strengths. Connerley (S) and Brandon Angus (CB) are among the Confederates' most versatile players. Angus punts and returns punts and kicks. Connerley also returns kicks. He logged 81 tackles last year. LB Brandon Robinson had 68 tackles. Calvin Davis (5-10, 226, DE, Jr.) is the lone starter returning on a line that needs to develop depth.
Outlook: Second-year coach Meade experienced success as an assistant at Highland Springs. He has the Confederates, who have missed the playoffs for nine years, back on the path to the top of the district. To be a playoff team, the Confederates will have to beat playoff-caliber teams. All those games, including the 50th Tomato Bowl with Patrick Henry, are on the road except for Varina.

Henrico

Coach: Roger Brookes
2008 records: 2-4, 3-7
Offense: A major rebuilding project after the loss of 10 starters from last year. Junior Treyvon Robinson (5-10, 160) will direct the unit. Two Browns, Delvin (5-9, 190, Sr.) and Timone (5-11, 170, Sr.), are scheduled to start at RB. Seniors Carrington Clark and Jordan Doggett are at WR and could see plenty of action if the Warriors go to the spread. The largest lineman is Andre Redmond (6-3, 270, So., T). The other tackle is college prospect Victor Ripley (6-4, 225, Sr.).
Defense: There's more experience on this side of the ball. The secondary is small but very fast. CB DreQuan Hoskey (6-0, 170) has committed to the University of Richmond. Clark (5-8, 165, Sr.) and Timone Brown are the safeties. None of the starting LBs weighs more than 190 pounds, but they are mobile. Ripley is the middle man in the 3-4 front.
Outlook: The Warriors are looking to improve on last year's first season under Brookes, one of the winningest coaches in the state while at King William. Doing so in the Capital isn't easy. The offense is starting from scratch and needs time to mesh. The defense needs to play well immediately. The Warriors have a chance to be 4-1 before hitting a four-game stretch of Highland Springs, Varina, Lee-Davis and Hanover.

Atlee

Coach: Roscoe Johnson
2008 records: 1-5, 2-8
Offense: Experience is a strength. Eight starters are back. QB Dylan Garthright (6-2, 180, Sr.) is a three-year starter. He has returning WRs Micah Spears (5-11, 170, Sr.), Shaq Williams (6-3, 190, So.) and Stephen Kontra (6-2, 160, Sr.) as targets. RB Trevor Elie (5-6, 156, Jr.) can hide behind guards Kyle Willemin (6-1, 245, Sr.) and Jake Harris (6-4, 235, Sr.) and tackle Ryan Miller (6-7, 250, Jr.). Jordan Boothe gives the Raiders excellent place kicking.
Defense: LB Josh Doggett (6-1, 220, Sr.) is the heart and soul of a unit that lost just three starters. He is around the ball all the time. Fellow LBs Hunter Brooks (6-2, 210, Sr.) and David Ratchford (6-0, 180, Sr.) are seasoned starters. Sean O'Connor (5-11, 170, Sr., CB) and Adam Murphy (6-1, 160, Sr., S) lead the secondary. Returning tackle Cole Stout (6-2, 255, Sr.) is the largest of the linemen.
Outlook: The Raiders need to pick up the offensive production. They scored only 103 points a year ago. Doggett is one of the region's best players, but the defense needs to tighten up, too (gave up an average of 26.6 points). Many of the players have experienced play in this tough district.

Armstrong

Coach: Mark Robinson
2008 records: 0-6, 2-8
Offense: The Wildcats are young and untested after the loss of nine starters. Xavia Gary (5-7, 185, Sr.) fills the QB vacancy left by Mark Robinson Jr. Tyler McCoy (5-10, 200, Jr.) and Tyee Williams (6-0, 180, Sr.) are the RBs. WR Dewayne Burnett (6-3, 180, Sr.) is one of the two returnees along with guard Willie Parker (6-0, 240, Sr.).
Defense: There are many holes to fill on this side of the ball, too. Parker spearheads the LBs along with senior Terrance Diggs (5-9, 210). DE/OT Christian Brooks (6-1, 270, Sr.) and junior Travis Miles (5-10, 245, C/DT) bring some size to both fronts. Williams is a returning starter at safety, and he handles the punting.
Outlook: The Wildcats split their first four games a year ago but didn't win a district game. Even with an inexperienced crew, they could pick up a couple wins early again then see how they compete with Atlee, Henrico and new opponent, Midlothian.