Salem Sundevils
LAST POST: August 22, 2008Phantoms Look To Finish Business In 2008
As Phoebus gears up for another run at the top of Virginia's football ranks this season, its players have one thing on their mind, and one slogan imprinted on the back of their practice uniforms: "Unfinished Business."
It may seem strange that a team that took the state title in 2006 and went undefeated in the Peninsula District last season could consider its work incomplete, but then again, Phoebus isn't the typical football team. That's why last year's loss to Stone Bridge in the state semifinal game left Tajh Boyd and his Phantom teammates feeling unfulfilled.
"That was the worst feeling in the world," the All-State quarterback said of his team's defeat. "The only thing that really means something (this year) is to win the state championship. If you work this hard, you feel that anything else is a failure."
Hence the reason that coach Bill Dee still operates under the "If it's not broken, don't fix it" axiom - with his team, his season, and even his sayings.
"We go one game at a time," said Dee, whose squad takes the field Aug. 29 at Maury (Phoebus is ranked 37th in the nation by ESPN in its preseason rankings). "I know that's an old cliché, but that's how we do it. I never expect an easy outing. I have a great group of kids, and we're going to keep doing the fundamentals that we've always stressed."
Aside from All-State receiver Reid Evans, Phoebus is pretty intact from last year.
"We have our running backs back," Dee said, "and defensively, we've got eight starters back, so that should be a bright spot for us."
Linebacker Dominik Davenport, who followed Boyd to the All-State ranks last season and will follow him to West Virginia University next year, hopes to be an especially luminous attraction.
"We're committed players, but we have to finish what's here," Davenport said. "We're focusing on moving forward. The defensive line is probably the backbone on our team. It's our anchor."
But not so very far away, another PD team has some unfinished business of its own.
Two seasons ago, Bethel came off a 4-6 season, and few saw them as any threat to the upper echelon of the district.
That was OK - there was someone who believed.
Armed only with a few years of coaching experience from across Virginia and North Carolina, Jeff Nelson showed up last fall to run Bethel's gridiron gang.
"It was amazing," said Jontel Evans. "Coach Nelson came in and changed all of our attitudes. We ran with it, and had success."
The team bolted to its first defeat of Hampton since 1992, and scared Phoebus, which escaped with a last-second field goal in a 30-27 win.
In the playoffs for the first time since 1996, Bethel beat Ocean Lakes, then narrowly fell 9-3 to Oscar Smith. Now the Bruins want to make 2008 the first season since 2000 that Hampton or Phoebus doesn't win the district title.
"The offense was 50/50 passing," said Evans, who still managed to take third in the district with 132.4 rushing yards per game. "That really helped us out; when you have a balanced offense, it keeps the (opposing) defense honest because they don't know whether to play the pass or the run. That's what makes us dangerous."
Aris McGlone-English's 98.5 yards per game ranked him the third-highest passer in the league (two spots behind Boyd).
"Right now, we're just focusing on our offensive line," he said. "They're blocking hard, key to the offense, can't do anything without them. I'm hoping we come out strong. We're going to play the hardest we can play, and hope we come out on top." The team opens its season Aug. 28 at home against Granby.
"The kids bought into the program, and from there, it just flourished," Nelson said. "We've got kids that have been in the system and the off-season for a year. The kids know what to expect from us, and we've got some good athletes that are bringing us together.
Of course, there's still Hampton, the New York Yankees of the Peninsula District. Though they fell to Phoebus and Bethel last season and took a big hit from graduation last summer, the Crabbers, like the Big Apple baseball squad, can never be counted out.
"A lot of people think we're going to be a slouch team," said All-State running back Tron Martinez, who rushed for 1,400 yards last season, "but I think we'll come out of it fine. We've got to improve ourselves. We're a little young, but we can work with that and be good."
All-Region defensive end Tyrell Wilson knows that Hampton's challenge will come before the season starts Aug. 28 at Gloucester.
"It's a new team this year, but we'll be running the same defense and the same program," Wilson said. "It's the same thing, just different people. The biggest goal would be winning state; that's my biggest goal all-around."
Such an accomplishment would probably get coach Mike Smith the nine wins he needs to reach 400 in his career.
"We lost some people, some good football players, but we'll be all right," Smith said. "I know it's going to be a challenge, because we're young and not very big, but I think these guys are going to show up."
"Unfinished Business" could be a mantra for several of the region's top teams this season. After charging through the Eastern District with a 10-0 record, Lake Taylor saw its extra season end early with a loss to Indian River in the first round of the playoffs.
Like Phoebus, the Titans have a large load back; 15 players who started on offense and/or defense last season are back for more, including All-State linebacker Mike Privott, the district's top defensive player of 2007-08. He'll be helped on defense by Travis Williams, Danny Paiva, and Joe Salone (among others) while Jarred Battle takes over the full-time quarterbacking reins for the first time, though he started three games last year. Boogie McCray's ready to dance to glory in his senior year at running back, while receivers like Trevor Adams make up one of the district's top receiving cavalries.
That's why Hank Sawyer's looking for his boys to extend the 12-game winning streak it has carved out in district competition over the past two years.
"This team is up there with one of the best I've ever coached," said the head Titan, in his tenth year of leading the squad. "Our main goal is to win the state championship, but our first goal is to get back to the playoffs. Right now, we're just thinking about Aug. 29." That's when his team opens its season at home against, ironically, Indian River.
One day before, one of Taylor's competitors (the last team to beat the Titans before the streak) opens its season at home against Phoebus. John Quinerly, who carried the ball for Maury in his high school days, now kicks off his Commodore coaching career, leading up the other district playoff representative (after a 6-5 season, the Commodores fell to Salem in the first round).
"I've seen leadership on our defense," Quinerly said. "There's a lot of tough guys that can hopefully lead us to a heck of a season this year."
Seniors Laroy Reynolds and Dorian Jackson will be catching the ball from both sides, each playing wide receiver and free safety, while Mark Halik - all 6'5", 300 pounds of him, will try to make Friday night a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
"I really expect a big year from Charles Humphrey, our tailback" Quinerly said. "He'll be one of the premier backs in the region." Darrell Waters, who transferred from Oscar Smith, will battle Keenan Lambert for the starting quarterback position - and the right to throw to Lambert's brother Kreighton at wide receiver.
"There's pressure," Quinerly said. "But I've been here; I've had a taste of the tradition here, and I've been with the kids since February. Basically, we're just ready to play right now. I think we'll have a better season."
Kevon Newsome, who transferred over from Western Branch, hopes to provide stability at tight end for a Churchland team who took a big hit from graduation last season. Norcom's Deandre Lamb overcame his lack of size - 5'9", 155 - to throw for over 1,100 yards in his sophomore year last season, and he's one of several youngsters looking to keep up the rebuilding that began with last year's 4-6 record.
Like Phoebus, Oscar Smith rolled through its respective district undefeated - but also like the Phantoms, the Southeastern fell short a game from the state title contest. Therefore, despite gunning for nearly 1,900 yards last season, Phillip Sims wants to end his career in another form of blazed glory and live up to the #16 national ranking that ESPN awarded his school.
He's got the weaponry; Tim Smith looks to take over the catching duties full-time for 2007-08, while Perry Jones and newcomer Jaston George will be carrying it. Jones will be dishing out the punishment on the other side of the ball as well - at linebacker, he was named last season's top defensive player in the district, and he, Jerod Askew, and Jarmara Gray head up one of the area's meanest defenses.
While many of the Tigers are back, several of the district's other top teams are forced to fill their respective holes quickly. Great Bridge's Brad Hudson is the district's answer to Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, thrown into the unenviable task of replacing Casey Turner, arguably the most formidable passer in district history. Still, he's got Logan Heastie - a favorite target of Turner - to throw to, and Trey Bray hopes to give new life to a rushing game that was underused last season.
Indian River's in an even tougher position, as its top two running backs graduated, and quarterback Frank Hamrock is new to the varsity level. However, receivers Antonio Brown and Andre White are back, and the Brave defense is strong.
That's one more piece of bad news for perennial powerhouse Western Branch, which lost two of its offensive centerpiece, quarterback Kevin Newsome (transferred to Hargrave Military Institute) and running back Hykeem Brodie (graduated), as well as a multitude of defenders. Last season's 10-2 playoff season might be tough to repeat.
Finally, there's the Beach District - and if Green Run has its way, there will be at least one changing of the guard this fall. After winning five games in eight seasons, the Stallions shocked the state last year with a 10-2 record that they rode straight to the playoffs (though they, like Lake Taylor, fell to Indian River there).
Everywhere Stallion fans look this season, they'll see a Simmons: Jerroud's at quarterback, and Dejor and Antonio are looking to carry the ball. D'Shawn Dozier's looking to rack up some yardage of his own, and Jerroud's got Tavon Gatlin and Patrick Young to throw to. Add a defense that held opposing offenses to less than two touchdowns a game last season, and the Stallions are ready to gallop. Their first chance comes tonight against Tallwood, whom they defeated 40-14 in last year's season opener.
Salem hasn't lost a district game in two seasons, but that could end as early as tonight, when the Sun Devils open their season against a Landstown team that's anxious to reclaim the glory it hasn't felt since making it to the 2005 state title game. Along with all-time district running champ Kevin Whaley, Salem graduated all but a handful of starters. Tyvonte Lawton and Mike Jeffrey will try to pick things up for the rushing game, but Lawton's also expected to be a leader on defense. The Sun Devils have to mature fast to contend.
They weren't the only district squad to lose a leader last season - Bayside's got to replace All-American quarterback E.J. Manuel. Jaquan Glover's the new man behind center, but he's got Brandon Stanton and Jeremy Majette to hand off to. The Marlin defense was one of the district's top last year, and many returners look to make it the best.
PREVIOUS ARTICLES
:: Best of the Beach District - April 09, 2007:: "Best of the Beach? Don't Ask Richard Barbee" - February 26, 2007
:: Hogan Ends Sundevils Season - December 06, 2006
:: Sundevils Appear Headed For Magical Title Run - November 28, 2006
:: Tigers, Sundevils Highlight Beach Battles - November 23, 2006
:: Salem, Oscar Smith, Phoebus win Easily - November 18, 2006
:: Sundevils unstoppable? Titans sleeping giant? - November 15, 2006
:: Whaley sets All Time Season Scoring Record - November 10, 2006
:: Whaley's 3TD's Leads Salem To Beach Title - November 05, 2006
:: Kevin Whaley; Quickness, Instinct and Raw Speed - October 21, 2006
:: Whaley Watch - Still #1 in Region - October 09, 2006
:: Eagles Win 5th Straight, Sets Sights on Salem - October 09, 2006
:: Hampton Roads Recap - Week #4 - September 27, 2006
:: Whaley and Kresinske Put Salem on Top - September 22, 2006
:: Salem Posts Big Win Over Cox - September 16, 2006
:: Gameday Names Hampton Roads Top 13 - September 13, 2006
:: Gameday Game Balls Awarded Week #2 - September 11, 2006
:: Cox Falcons Fall Hard to Ocean Lakes in Opener - September 11, 2006
:: Whaley and Boone score 3 TDs each in Big Win - September 04, 2006
:: Salem Football Preview - August 15, 2006
:: Mark Maliniak – Staying power and a Strong Will to Win! - June 06, 2006
:: Beach District Regional Quarterfinals in Tennis - May 23, 2006
:: First Colonial/Princess Anne Dominate in Playoffs - May 21, 2006
:: 757 Market Remains Hot for College Recruiters - May 11, 2006
:: Woods Gets 15 strike-outs in Two Hitter for Cavs - May 06, 2006
:: Softball's Top Teams Stumble in Hampton Roads - May 03, 2006
:: Gloshen Leads Knights to Another Victory - April 22, 2006
:: Neisha Eure; Salem’s Premier Base Stealer - April 18, 2006
:: Beach teams Big Winners at Beach Blast - April 13, 2006
:: Robby Newman - an extremely versatile athlete - March 30, 2006
:: Coming soon - December 15, 2003