Gameday Media Day 2007 Highlights & Recap
STERLING, VA - Local football coaches from Loudoun, Fairfax, Winchester, and Fauquier Counties arrived at Joe's Pizzaria in Sterling, Virginia with excitement and optimism. The first annual Gameday Media Day 2007 luncheon showcased head coaches from several of the best football programs in the state. Each coach had 15 minutes to discuss his team's 2007 outlook and answer questions from the local media. Below is a recap of the day's events and some impressions of some of the press conferences.
Tom Verbanic - Westfield Bulldogs
In the morning session Westfield head coach Tom Verbanic spoke about his team's work ethic and experience entering the 2007 season. Verbanic emphasized that despite being tabbed by several media outlets as the favorite to win it all in Division 6, his team only needed to remember how their 2006 season ended to keep their focus.
Mickey Thompson - Stone Bridge Bulldogs
Stone Bridge's Mickey Thompson took the stage and discussed his team's personnel changes entering the 2007 season. Thompson said he was pleased with how his kids have prepared and said right now, they were a 5-5 team, but that when it was all said and done, they could be a really good football team if they took care of business. Thompson showed a quiet confidence in his statements, and provided the local media with every belief that his Bulldogs will once again be the team to beat in Division 5 this fall.
Andy Hill - Park View Patriots
Park View's Andy Hill followed Thompson and addressed many of the questions that the media had about how his team will respond this season after losing several key players from a year ago. Despite entering camp as last year's Dulles District champion, the Patriots appear to have more to prove than other teams in the district, and that didn't seem to bother Hill.
Joe Thompson - Oakton Cougars
Oakton head coach Joe Thompson spoke about how his team enters the season as an underdog in the Concorde District, a role he said that he and his staff enjoys. Oakton is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and Thompson expressed his excitement to get started. The Cougars finished 6-5 last year and made the playoffs, but it was clear to see that Thompson is expecting bigger things in 2007.
Mike Lalli - Chantilly Chargers
Mike Lalli took the stage after Thompson and explained to the media that the Chargers should be in the mix again this fall, as they return several key members from last year's state runner-up squad. Chantilly has one of the toughest schedules in the state and Lalli was quick to note that he was very concerned about that. Lalli also explained to the media the difference entering this year as a contender as opposed to last year, when his team was basically an unknown commodity in the Concorde District.
Bruce Sheppard - Loudoun Valley
Loudoun Valley head coach Bruce Sheppard stepped to the podium and expressed his optimism about joining the Cedar Run district. Sheppard was asked about how it has felt to have to change districts several times in recent years and he answered it simply by saying, "That is really not in my control so we don't spend a lot time worrying about it." Valley returns several talented players and Sheppard was confident his group will be as competitive as anyone in their new district.
Recap:
In total, 14 coaches spoke at the first annual Gameday Media Day hosted by TCC Sports. Every press conference was filmed for GamedayTV by TCC Sports and will be posted online at GamedayMagazine.com throughout the next two weeks as Gameday's training camp tour begins.
Check back for continuing coverage of the 2007 Gameday Media Day as we will be posting more stories shortly.
