Private, small schools previews
in alphabetical order
Benedictine
Coach: Greg Lilly2008 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.).
Defense: There are some holes left by the graduation of Will Swoope and others that the Cadets must fill. T Nigel Williams (6-3, 240, So.), LB Michael Pilot 5-11, 175 Sr.) and DE Eric Meyer (6-1, 175, Sr.) will anchor the front seven. S Kevin Gill (6-0, 180 Sr.) and S RJ Price (6-0, 180 Jr.) lead the secondary.
Outlook: The Cadets made the VIS, Div. I playoffs last year, but with their schedule, duplicating last year's 9-2 record will be difficult. The Petrohoviches should make one of the better pass-catch duos in the area. Greg Lilly takes over as head coach after four years as an assistant.
Blessed Sacrament
HuguenotCoach: Mike Henderson
2008 records: 6-0 VCC, 12-1
Offense: The Knights return veteran QB Austin Wingfield (5-9, 185, Sr.), who threw for 1,400 yards and 20 TDs, but will turn focus on the running game with backs Deon Watts (5-11, 185, Jr.), John Moore (5-11, 205, Jr.) and Chris Howard (5-9, 157, Sr.) leading the way. WR Trevor Gilliam (5-9, 134, Jr.) shows potential, but another wide out needs to step up. The offensive line is strong, but inexperienced and lacking depth. The Knights make up for that depth at running back, where they have six viable options.
Defense: Strong linebackers highlight the "D." The Knights return all five LBs from last year's defense that set school records for sacks, tackles for loss, takeaways and defensive TDs. Defensive ends T.J. Dobrucky (6-0, 207, So.) and David Lewis (5-8, 162, So.) are young, but senior Josh Price (6-5, 238) plugs the middle.
Outlook: The Knights lost in the VIS, Division III championship game. This team has top end talent, especially at running back and linebacker, but little depth. Moore, Watts, Howard and Wingfield must stay healthy for the team to be competitive. The Knights could be in the middle of the pack or compete for the title again.
Collegiate
Coach: Mark Palyo2008 records: 3-1 Prep League, 9-1
Offense: Among the six returning starters on offense is UR-bound senior QB Jake McGee. McGee will be the team's starter for the third straight year. He also plays defense as a safety. Trei Kelley and Alex Newsome bring experience and skill to the receiving corps. Andrew ter (6-5, 205, Sr.), Ben Bruni (6-1, 205, Sr.) and Peter Rossetti (6-4, 215, Jr.) add experience to the line.
Defense: Five starters return on defense. Third-year starters Jake Ragsdale, a 6-5, 215 defensive end, and Alex Newsome, a 5-9, 180 safety, will lead an overall inexperienced defense. McGee is the team's top returning tackler. Defense will be supported by returning starters Tyler Holly (6-1, 200) and Trei Kelley (6-0, 175).
Outlook : Cougars are reigning VIS, Div. I champions. Collegiate starts a veteran squad with nine seniors on offense and nine on defense. McGee is the catalyst on both sides of the ball and will be a key performer. With experience and talent, Collegiate is expected to challenge for another title.
Central Va. Homeschool
Coach: Dave Hollis2008 records: 11-2
Offense: Five veteran starters have departed, leaving the offense in the hands of a lot of sophomores and freshmen. QB Ben Moreland (5-11, 185) is a junior. The Disciples have been a running team in the past, and those duties fall to holdovers Manny McClure, who ran for two TDs and threw for another in last week's season opening victory, Jared Simmons (5-11, 195, Sr.) and Thomas Gresham (5-9, 175, Jr.). The line is a mix of three sophomores and seniors Mathew Hayman (5-11, 250, T) and Zack Ratliff (5-10, 180, Sr., C).
Defense: Hayman (DE); Adrian Gill (6-0, 220, Jr.); Augie Conte (6-5, 250, So.); Simmons and Gresham are two-way starters. What the unit lacks in experience will be made up with an aggressive, attacking style. It shutout Central Maryland in the opener. Sophomore Casey Stephens handles the place kicking and punting.
Outlook: The Disciples play good football and will be in the chase for their league championship.
Goochland
Coach: Joe Fowler2008 records: 4-1 James River, 6-5
Offense: Ten players return, including eight seniors and several three-year starters. The looming question is who will win the QB spot? B.J. Clark, Matthew Henley and Ryan Crouch are the candidates. Returning RBs Willie Ezell, Desmond Athey and Dustin Plummer contributed to the more than 1,600 yards from this position last year.
Defense: The defense lost five starters, and as many as four sophomores could be on the field at one time. How quickly the younger players adjust is key. Only two returning players will be at the same position, so this year's defense will have a much different look.
Outlook: The Bulldogs were the 2006 Group A, Division 2 champion. This season, they move up to Group AA, Division 3 and join the Jefferson District. Goochland has several returning players with experience. Expect the athleticism of senior Willie Ezell and junior BJ Clark to be a strong point. The Bulldogs likely will hover around the .500 mark in their inaugural year at AA.
King William
Coach: Zach Just2008 records: 4-1 Tidewater, 6-5
Offense: Junior QB Lewis Redman is a possible DI prospect who will rely on seniors Devonte Temple (RB) and Daryl Powell (WR) - both of whom also are prospects - to lead a consistent offense. Eight players return to the line.
Defense: Inexperience will be the Cavs' biggest challenge. Only four players return to the defense, but five others are seniors.
Outlook: The Cavaliers have 18 consecutive winning seasons and 16 playoff appearances during that span. Second-year head coach Just lost only three starters on offense, but the defense graduated eight and will need its new players to step up. Don't be surprised if Redman, Powell and Temple have breakout seasons. Look for the Cavaliers to be one of the teams to beat in the Tidewater District.
Louisa
Coach: Mark Fischer2008 records: 4-2 Jefferson, 7-3
Offense: Size and speed are average on offense. Senior QB Dillon Hollins proved last season that he can move the chains but will need his young line to find ways to provide good pass protection.
Defense: Compared to the offense, the defense is experienced with five returning seniors. Youngster Andre Mealy looks to have another standout season.
Outlook: Louisa enters play with a squad that is fairly young but experienced. For example, sophomore Andre Mealy (RB/LB) returns as a developing college prospect. If Hollins continues the successes he had last season (1,083 yards passing in eight games), Louisa may be able to improve upon its third-place finish.
New Kent
Coach: Dan Rounds2008 records: 1-8 Bay Rivers, 2-8
Offense: Senior QB Everett Christian is new to the squad and will play his first season under center. He takes the place of junior T.J. Mason, who moved to linebacker.
Defense: New Kent has some experience on defense with seniors E.J. Gray and Miles Foley on the line and Paul Robinson, Paul Kearney and Tyler Walters in the defensive backfield. T.J. Higgins is a senior linebacker.
Outlook: The Trojans have revamped their offensive line in hopes of recovering from last season's 1-8 record. Second-year coach Dan Rounds thinks the new-look offense will be an improvement. Everett Christian is one of four New Kent basketball players (RB Justin Williams, DB Paul Kearney and K Steven Allen) who help round out the Trojans' roster.
Powhatan
Coach: Jim Woodson2008 records: 6-0 Southside, 10-2
Offense: The Indians will build around their big, strong offensive line led by senior guards Collin Christovich (6-3, 286) and G Josh Mills (6-1, 284) and senior center Patrick Purrington (6-4, 295). Christovich's brother Andrew (6-1, 235, So.) is one of the tackles. QB Shawn Minor (5-9, 165, Sr.) is one of the area's premier players. Landen Bradley (5-11, 192, So.) will carry on Powhatan's tradition of star RBs. Ellis Moore can provide points as the place kicker.
Defense: C. Christovich, Purrington, Mills and Joey Bianco (6-0, 238, Sr., DE/RB) make up a formidable line. The LBs, led by senior Josh Morris (5-10, 175, Sr.) aren't big, but they're fast. Minor (CB) and Phillip Schoeffel (6-2, 175, Jr., S) lead the secondary.
Outlook: A perennial power, Powhatan lost in the region final last year after winning three Division 4 titles in a row. Powhatan has plenty to get back to another championship game and beyond. The Indians have an additional Southside District game this year with Southampton moving over from the Bay Rivers District.
St. Christopher's
Coach: Michael Turner2008 records: 1-3 Prep League, 3-6
Offense: Kurt Fleming, the Saints' best player and one of the area's best, is injured and out for the season. Juniors man the skill positions. Rob Vozenilek (6-0, 175) is the QB. Brody Hingst (5-11, 185) and Thompson Brown (6-3, 225) are the RBs. All three are returnees as is Seth Wagner (5-9, 160, Sr.) at WR. Center Mark Burlee (6-0, 230, Sr.), guards Pat Delaney (6-0, 230, Sr.) and Chris Delaney (6-0, 265, Sr.) and Ben Thompson (5-8, 265, Jr.) have size and experience.
Defense: Ivy League and other D-I schools have made offers to DE/TE Kyle Whitenauer (6-4, 235, Sr.). He's a standout on a seasoned unit that is the Saints' strength. Ted Gottwald (5-8, 190, Sr.) anchors the LBs. Burlee, Hingst and Wagner are two-way players. The secondary veterans are Hunter Johnson (5-10, 175, Sr., CB) and Peter Partee (5-8, 160, Sr., S). Place kicker/punter Alec Vozenilek, the All-Metro punter last year, has caught the attention of college recruiters.
Outlook: Fleming's injury was a tough blow, but first-year coach Turner has moved forward. He and the players have to learn about each other. The secondary will be tested right away by Trinity Episcopal QB Will White.
Trinity Episcopal
Coach: Eric Gobble2008 records: 0-3 Old Dominion AC, 2-8
Offense: Three-year starting QB Will White (6-0, 161, Sr.) threw for 1,846 yards and 18 TDs last year. His career numbers are 4,048 yards and 39 touchdowns. WRs Nick Almond (6-3, 181, Sr.) and Andrew Sarlo (6-1, 173, Sr.) are still among his targets. Tackle Jack Miller (6-3, 220, Sr.) anchors a young line.
Defense: Miller moves to and is one of seven returning starters. He started at LB his first three years but is moving as the Titans shift to a four-man front. Last year's leading tackler, Kyle Marron (6-0, 168, Sr., LB), is back. Safety Sarlo had four interceptions last season.
Outlook: The Titans have moved out of the Old Dominion Football Conference and will play as an independent. It's part of the program's phased move into a full Prep League schedule. Football returned to Trinity five years ago, and the Titans face St. Christopher's and Collegiate (the first two games) for the first time.
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