Training Camp Day 11: Loudoun County
LEESBURG, VA - Coaches often speak of learning how to overcome adversity, how to persevere, and how to get up when you get knocked down. Last year's Loudoun County Raider team knows all about this kind of coach speak after finishing a miserable 0-10. At the conclusion of the season, former head coach Pat McManus stepped down, and athletic director Ken Wright aggressively looked for the type of coach that could revive his tradition rich football program.
In came Todd Hill, a successful former head football coach who was acting athletic director at Handley High School. Hill has been out of coaching for 6 years after some bad knee injuries forced him from the sidelines at Handley to the administrative offices. Just before practice started this August, we noticed that Hill had a little extra hop in his step at our Gameday Media Day. Hill was beaming like a kid who just got his first bike on christmas morning when asked how he felt about his return to coaching.
"I haven't slept a whole lot in the last few weeks because I've been so excited," Hill said.
Hill's first challenge was to change the mindset at Loudoun County after a winless season last fall.
"The first thing we needed to do was teach the kids to believe they could be successful," Hill said. "The second thing we had to do was instill discipline in the kids. They had to make sure they followed the rules and met our expectations. We told them that if they did those two things, good things would happen for them."
So far the enthusiasm and attitude of the football team at Loudoun County has been impressive. The Raiders put the time in the weight room in the off-season with over 45 players showing up for workouts every day. That work ethic has Hill excited about what might transpire this fall on the field.
"We have some kids that are willing to work hard, and they have done a great job to this point," Hill said. "We are ready to put the helmets on and see what we can do this year."
With the start of the 2007 season less than two weeks away, the Raiders are hungry to restore the pride and tradition that their program has enjoyed over the years. Hill however wants to take things slow and do the little things necessary for long term success.
"We are going to be extremely young, but our kids are energetic and hard working," Hill said. "We are trying to take baby steps and set short term goals, and make sure we are working hard. So far it has gone very well."
The Raiders will be more competitive this year and will most likely grab that much needed first win in two years early in the season. However, if the Raiders are going to contend for more, they must answer the following questions.
Can Reimers Carry The Raider Offense?
Senior Kelly Reimers returns at the quarterback position this season after posting some impressive stats a year ago as a junior. Reimers is a good running quarterback but has struggled in the past throwing the football. With Hill's new offensive scheme set to spread the field and feature a passing attack, much of Loudoun County's potential this season will hinge on how well Reimers runs the offense. He will have some much needed help with the addition of Chase Williams moving to the tight end position. Williams, the son of Redskin defensive coordinator Greg Williams, is 6'2, 220lbs, and his speed and athletic ability should provide Reimers with a great target down the field. Reimers will also be helped out by his offensive line, which will average 240lbs.
Who Will Make Plays For This Team?
Every team needs a playmaker or two to step up and win ballgames with a big play here and there. Right now, the Raiders don't appear to have many on offense outside of Williams at the tight end position. Senior D.J Lane could emerge as a deep threat with his size (6'2), but the jury is still out. Lane looked impressive in camp and was clearly the biggest of the Raider receivers. Speed will be the question mark for County as they will need to develop a few of their younger athletes to become playmakers.
Can The Raiders Get Off To A Good Start?
Loudoun County opens with Musselman, WV, which appears to be a winnable game. But after the Applemen come to town, Loudoun County will face Handley, James Wood, Park View, Potomac Falls, Briar Woods, and Broad Run in consecutive weeks. It is very possible that this year's Loudoun County team will be much improved, but their record may not indicate it after the first seven games. A win or two in the first four weeks could be all this team needs to gain the confidence needed to surprise some of the better teams in the Dulles District. The Raiders round out the season with Freedom, Dominion, and Heritage, three teams that Loudoun County should be very capable of beating if they play their best football.
Will The Raiders Have Enough Depth?
When you go 0-10, it can be hard to get kids to come to play. However, Loudoun County should have 75 players on the roster this fall, which is a higher number of kids than in years past. The rising sophomores in the program were very successful last year playing freshman football, and they are the class to keep an eye on. While depth could prove to be an obstacle this fall, it shouldn't be a problem in the coming years. Loudoun County is probably one season away from contending in the Dulles District, but depth won't be the reason they don't contend this year.
Can Hill Teach The Raiders To Win?
The answer to this question is an absolute Yes! Hill is a soft spoken man, but he is demanding. After watching him at practice, it is easy to see why he has been successful. Hill pays attention to the smallest details and his players are starting to catch onto that approach. The difference between winning programs and losing programs is often 4 or 5 plays in each game. Those 4 or 5 plays are usually made or busted based on details and mental mistakes. Hill is teaching the Raiders how to do the little things in practice so they can do bigger things on Friday nights this fall. The philosophy will work and it will show signs of working this season. Hill is definitely the right guy for this job and that will be evident after the season.
Extra Point:
Loudoun County plays Hill's former employer, Handley High School in the second week of the season. Hill will probably tell you that the game is just another game for the Raiders, but don't think for a second that Hill wouldn't love to send shockwaves through the region with a big upset of his former team. The Judges have one of the most explosive players in the state in quarterback J.J. Dorsey, and this game should be a great test to see how competitive the Raiders will be in 2007.
Quotable:"We want to win football games, but in the long term, we want to build the foundation of fundamentally sound good technique, and have kids that are willing to run through a wall for us. If we can do that, the wins will take care of themselves." - Todd Hill
