Atlee Raiders
Coach: Matt Gray
2018: 7-4
Offense: There are eight returning starters for the Raiders, seven of them seniors, including sophomore quarterback Tyler Warren (6-6, 240), in his fourth year in the starting role. Warren, who decommitted from Virginia Tech in the spring, then gave a verbal commitment to Penn State in early July, has good talent surrounding him, beginning with wide receiver Alex Oliver, who has an offer from VMI. Kyle Beck, at 6-2, 235, has a chance to give Warren a consistent target in the middle, opening Oliver to stretch the field. Sophomore Keith Green and senior Carter Nash take over running back duties full time with the graduation of Tucker Bratton. The offensive line is also senior laden, led by John Brockmeier (5-11, 265), Tanner Moore (5-10, 245) and new starter Conner Ball (6-5, 255). If the line can open holes for Green, Nash and Warren, the Raiders could pile up rushing yardage, and in turn, time of possession.
Defense: Gray is looking to his linebacking corps to lead the way as the Raiders hope to improve on their 23.1 points per game allowed in 2018. Beck and junior Joseph Slade return, joined by Hanover transfer Eric Rankin (6-3, 220). Rankin, who saw significant playing time as a running back for the Hawks, could be key, using his athleticism to both chase down tailbacks and provide tight pass coverage. Ball will go both ways in the trenches, starting on a defensive line that is still in flux. Finding personnel answers there is of the highest priority.
Outlook: The Raiders used a three-game sweep of fellow Class 5, Region B foes in non-district play to begin 2018 at 5-0. Then reality set in, losing to both Highland Springs and Varina in shutout fashion. Their 7-3 record helped earn them the fourth seed in Class 5, Region B, but they fell to Glen Allen in the first round. For all the talent of this senior class, they’ve never experienced a playoff victory. With the region expanding to 17 teams, including the arrival of Class 6 state champion Manchester, and rising programs Midlothian and Clover Hill, making the postseason will be difficult. That’s why another 3-0 start is, if not essential, certainly critical to gain footing in the playoff race. Atlee opens with back-to-back home games (Deep Run and Mills Godwin) followed by a trip to Douglas Freeman, a stretch promising to give Atlee a good barometer on its postseason hopes. October is highlighted by trips to Henrico and Highland Springs, and home dates with rivals Patrick Henry and Lee-Davis.
Clover Hill Cavaliers
Coach: Bryan Jennings 2018: 5-5
Offense: There are four guys vying for the starting quarterback job: senior Quin Mehl (the incumbent), sophomore Eric Webster, junior K.J. Patterson, an L.C. Bird transfer, and sophomore Reece Hamilton, who started last year as a freshman at James River. Altogether, Clover Hill could have eight starters back, and there are several seniors among them. The entire starting line is back, it’s gotten bigger and stronger, and it adds senior T Ben Fantell (6-6, 275) and sophomore John Parker (6-0, 260). RB Kendall Cross (6-2, 220) becomes the starting tailback, replacing Chris Houston, who ate up big chunks of yardage last year. Senior Jaden Lee can play running back and receiver. Sophomore Bryson Jennings (6-6, 215) is a Division I prospect and can block and catch. WR Jaden Johnson also is back for his senior season. Clover Hill averaged just 15 points last year, and as a whole, the offense needs to improve.
Defense: Six starters are back, including the team’s leading tackler, senior LB Dalton Collins (6-0, 225). He’s got experience next to him with Cross and OLB Logan Livermon, making the linebacking corps a strength of the defense. There’s good depth all across the defense. Jennings is developing into one of the top defensive ends in the area. He’s got Xavier Bervine on the line with him as a returning starter. New starter Andrew Blanton (6-2, 275) brings some size to the line. There’s less experience in the secondary, where Johnsson is the only returning starter. Jaden Lee and Javah Eppes are juniors and new starters. The defense allowed 14 points per game last year.
Outlook: Look out for Clover Hill. This could be a big season for the Cavaliers. Coach Bryan Jennings improved each year at his old school, Huguenot. Last year, he came to Clover Hill, inherited a team that had gone 2-8 the year before and went 5-5 in his first season. Close, low-scoring losses to Cosby, Bird and Midlothian kept Clover Hill from having a fantastic season. This year likely will be defined by what Clover Hill does in games 2-6, when it will face Midlothian, Manchester, Powhatan and L.C. Bird. Those are four games the Cavaliers could win or lose. If Clover Hill’s offense can excel at the level of its defense last year, it will be a really good team. And considering how much talent is back from last year, there’s reason for hope. Here’s the bad news: Clover Hill’s move from Class 6 to Class 5 means it enters a more competitive playoff field. There are a lot of good teams, including Manchester and Bird, vying for those playoff spots, and winning a playoff game in this region isn’t easy.
Deep Run Wildcats
Coach: Chad Hornik
2018: 5-5
Offense: The offense is junior heavy, with possibly nine of them among the starting 11. And there’s decent experience — five starters are back, including QB Bo Kite (6-2, 215), who’s a physical ball carrier. He averaged 55 rushing yards last year in Deep Run’s triple option and has worked to improve his passing ability. The triple option will be tweaked some this year, with no pre-snap motions, a pistol formation and some run-pass option mixed in. Alva Rose, a junior, is the starting running back and will be a big part of the ground game. Slotback Miles Ellis is explosive. Gabe Henderson (6-4, 200) and Carter Foy lead the receiving corps. There are two starters back on the line: guards Sam Lynch (6-2, 250) and Sam Blankenship (6-5, 290).
Defense: There’s a lot of experience on the defense with nine starters back. Deep Run switches to a 3-4 set with no starter listed above 210 pounds. The three linemen are all returning starters, including senior DE Tim Monica and DE Jason Johnson. LB Garrett Keeney (6-0, 200) is back for his junior year. He was Deep Run’s leading tackler and defensive player of the year as a sophomore. He’s got Richard Florence and Sam Hutchinson lining up beside him. The cornerbacks aren’t terribly tall, but Ellis and Kyle Gensone are fast and cover a lot of ground. Henderson and Daniel Thomas are the safeties. Depth is a concern, and staying healthy is paramount to the unit’s success.
Outlook: Deep Run’s defense struggled at times last year, giving up 59 points in a loss to Henrico and 34 in a loss to Glen Allen. But with so many starters back on the defense, there’s reason to expect improvement from them. Bo Kite is a player to watch. He’s tall, physical, and a strong player to have calling the shots of the offense. John Marshall has been dropped from the schedule, and Deep Run will face Lee-Davis, Atlee, Henrico and Patrick Henry in its out-of-district slate of games. Freeman and Glen Allen have new coaches and are opportunities to win games it didn’t last year. If Deep Run plays to its potential, it will win a lot of games.
Douglas Freeman Rebels
Coach: George Bland
2018: 7-4
Offense: Bland, who takes over for Mike Henderson, will run a similar system but has installed some differences, so there may be a bit of a learning curve. He has some building blocks with junior quarterback Andrew Bland, his son, and senior receiver Thomas Laughlin (6-4, 185). Bland and Laughlin split time at quarterback last season. Laughlin is joined by receivers Seamus Moore (junior) and Jahrell Horne (sophomore). Bland likes his depth in the backfield with juniors Charlie Martin, Jackson Fellows and Caleb Lindsay. Senior center Cole Holtz (6-2, 250), senior tackle Will Reid (6-4, 290) and senior tackle Joseph Shibley (6-3, 230) return up front, joined by senior guard John Lafoon and junior guard Damian Balsom. Depth could be an issue.
Defense: Bland expects senior end Caleb Jacoby, senior linebacker Jake Liberatore and senior linebacker Connor Speidell to be the leaders. Senior tackle A.J. Sunkins (6-3, 295) and junior tackle Micaiah Hartzog (6-3, 285) provide some roadblocks in the middle. Sophomore Sherrod Carrington (6-1, 195) is the other end. Martin does double duty as a linebacker. The secondary has two-way players with Horne and Moore at the corners and Laughlin at safety. Sophomore Bradley Perkins and junior Luke Shourds also are safeties.
Outlook: Bland, a former football and baseball player at Randolph-Macon, was an assistant at Freeman the past three seasons. He inherits a program that went 53-24 under Henderson and frequently made the playoffs. With key starters returning on both sides and a schedule that isn’t daunting, the Rebels should be one of several teams in the mix for the last few Class 5, Region B playoff spots. Key games likely will be against Atlee (Week 4), Deep Run (Week 7) and Glen Allen (final week).
Glen Allen Jaguars
Coach: Perry Jones
2018: 9-3
Offense: One of the biggest reasons for the success of the Jaguars a season ago was the ability to not completely rely on the rushing game of now senior Devin Flowers. With a quality passing attack, and Flowers also spending time on defense, Glen Allen found a balance that helped carry the Jaguars to their first winning season and first playoff win. Thus, a key this fall to their success lies in the hands of new junior quarterback Jordan Greenhow, who is a dual threat signal caller like predecessor Donovan Riddick. If Greenhow can manage games well and help senior receivers Quenton Pines and Kaleb Brown become outside targets, it will allow Flowers to flourish yet again. A healthy Flowers will finish with some of the best statistics a Central Region running back has ever posted. To do that, he needs help from the offensive line, led by two seniors, tackle Solomon Dozier, a Howard University commit, and guard Nate Morris, plus juniors Scott Fellin and J.T. Kelley and sophomore Zach Chambers.
Defense: The strength for Glen Allen this season, at least by experience. This group is led by both Flowers and fellow senior Caleb Vernon, the team’s leading tackler in 2018. Dozier and fellow senior Tyler Johnson anchor the defensive line, joined by junior returnee Jake Toomy as well as Chambers. The secondary, which was impressive in 2018, gets three starters back: Greenhow, senior Gavin Valentine, and junior Drew Morris. Two seniors who will help, especially in nickel coverages, are Eli Guerrero and Nehemiah Bartley.
Outlook: Glen Allen’s Achilles heel, historically, was defense. But last season, they finally turned it around. Now, in order to make it back-to-back postseason appearances, the Jaguars need the experience of their defense to carry them through a schedule filled with fellow Class 5, Region B rivals. Jones, a former standout running back at both Oscar Smith High School and UVA, has to be salivating at the thought of what Flowers can do in his final season for the Jaguars. But balance offensively must be a strength. The season begins with new region foe Midlothian, a program on the rise, on the road. A bye week and a trip to Patrick Henry means the Jaguars don’t open at home until Sept. 20 against Lee-Davis. Five of the Jaguars’ last six opponents are in their region. Come November, when the Jaguars welcome in Deep Run and Douglas Freeman in successive weeks, both games may be “winner in, loser out.”
Hermitage Panthers
Coach: x-David Bedwell
Record: 1-9
Offense: It’s hard to believe the Panthers scored just 62 points in 2018, ending a streak of six consecutive seasons with 400 or more points. Six starters return, but everyone projected to start had some playing time last year. With the new direction offered by Bedwell, improvement should be seen quickly. The quarterback battle is down to the wire between junior Brock Schaeffer and sophomore Malik Myers. The one who picks up the offense the best may win out. The key to immediate improvement begins along the line, with junior center Billy Gough (6-2, 255), junior tackle Gabe Clayton (6-3, 255) and junior guard Rashad Seaborne (5-10, 270) key to the Panthers’ success. Gough is considered the leader by the coach. Creating holes for tailback Nigel James will be critical. Bedwell sees James as a possible breakout rusher. While wide receivers Jordan Neville, Marvin Simpson and Alhaji Kamara look to find their footing, watch for tight end Jasper Lewis to help bring along whoever is passing the football.
Defense: Six starters return, hungry to erase the memories of a season ago, and the group is led by two seniors: linebacker Emmanuel Torres and defensive back Al Quoron Williams. They’re learning a new system, but Bedwell says he’ll have depth at all three levels. Up front, there’s good size with juniors Carlos Alexander (6-0, 260), Gabe Clayton (6-3, 255) and Rashad Venable (6-2, 260). Jasper Lewis and Josiah Robinson join Torres at linebacker, a group that will rely on speed to the ball to maximize their potential. Watch for freshman Jeremiah Coney, who joins Neville, Kamara and Seaborne in a young, but athletic, secondary.
Outlook: Highland Springs is no longer the opening team on the schedule, replaced by the Richard Wright Public Charter School of Washington, D.C.. That begins a five-game homestand which includes Henrico, Thomas Dale, Varina and Deep Run. Trips to Maury and Glen Allen begin October. A final record of .500 or better, even if it doesn’t produce a playoff bid in the difficult Class 5, Region B, would be a huge step forward for a program that, just nine months ago, was in total disarray.
Highland Springs Springers
Coach: Loren Johnson 2018: 15-0
Offense: As good as the Springers’ skill players are, watch the line. Four starters return from a group that scored less than 40 points just three times. Senior Suirad Ware (6-1, 260) was All-Metro. Senior Evan Robinson (6-1, 270) was all-region. Senior Jason Wright is 6-3, 320, and senior D’Onte Griggs is 6-1, 245. Senior Jestdon Mckenzie is 6-1, 280. The new quarterbacks are juniors Jamareeh Jones (multiple big offers) and Juwan Dent. Senior receiver Kerry King is the only returning skill player, but fellow wideouts LaQuan Veney (5-11, 170 senior), Jamel Johnson (5-10, 150 senior) and Michael Hodge (6-1, 190 sophomore, D-I offers) will make plenty of plays. Backs Jordan Jackson (5-9, 180 junior) and Kalii Bradford (5-10, 177 senior) are breakaway threats.
Defense: Seven starters return from a unit that gave up an average of seven points last season. The defensive line of all-region end Ware, all-region tackle Robinson, junior tackle Payton Jackson (5-11, 250), junior end Kelvin Gilliam Jr. (6-3, 240, multiple big offers) and senior tackle Jamaree Moyer (6-0, 280) is dominant. The secondary is elite with All-Metro senior Malcolm Greene (multiple big offers), all-region senior David Laney (committed to East Carolina), junior Damond Harmon (multiple big offers), senior Daytoine Smith, Jabari Parker, JyShawn Jackson and Jayden Thurman. Senior linebacker Tavarus Short (5-11, 170) was an all-region pick and has help from senior Cameron Morris (6-1, 215) and senior D.J. Goodwyn (5-10, 200).
Outlook: What do the Springers do for an encore after winning four consecutive state titles? Win a VHSL record fifth. They’re not lacking much. Just about everybody in the starting lineup has college offers, including several with big-name schools in pursuit. A lot of talented skill players graduated from a team that had only one opponent stay within 21 points, but talented replacements have been waiting for their chance. With offensive and defensive lines that are scary, this team may be even better than the previous four that combined for a 57-3 record. The potential pitfalls? A brutal schedule and having to play games on the road when construction starts on a new school.
Henrico Warriors
Coach: Gerald Glasco 2018: 10-2
Offense: Eric McDaniels (6-1, 235) is one of the top running backs in the area and one of the top recruits in the Class of 2021. Last year he rushed for 106 yards per game and 17 touchdowns. Expect him to be the focal point of the offense in 2019. Three of the linemen in front of him are returning starters, including Tyshawn Wyatt (6-4, 315), a Division I recruit. There’s good size on the line, as all five projected starters are 6 feet and 250 pounds or more. With QB Jalon Jones graduated, senior Hayden Vozar becomes the starter. He got some playing time in Jones’ absence last year. Justin Goode and Fred Jones are back at receiver, and Goode was a solid element of the offense last year.
Defense: The unit is young and inexperienced. Only two starters are back — NG Jermaine Fleming (6-3, 325) and S Torryn Carey-Jarrell. There could be four sophomores and freshmen in the starting lineup. Junior Caleb Bullock steps into the role of defensive end. There are three seniors on the linebacking corps — Raevon Atkins, Robert Peeebles and Julian Lawson. There are two good young cornerbacks who are just sophomores: Shaquan Morris and Kamaree Wells.
Outlook: Last year, Henrico went 10-2, lost both games to Highland Springs and reached the region final. There are a lot of question marks about the team returning for 2019. We know the Warriors can run the ball with McDaniels in the backfield. What else can they do? Can Vozar and Goode add a pass-and-catch element to the attack? The middle of Henrico’s schedule will be the most telling — that’s when it plays Hopewell, Highland Springs, Atlee and Varina. How well Henrico fares against those four teams will tell us how good the squad is this year. In the hypercompetitive Class 5, Region B, there’s not much difference between the second best team and the sixth best. Expect Henrico to be somewhere in that mix.
J.R. Tucker Tigers
Coach: George Earle
2018: 0-9
Offense: The Tigers scored more than 21 points in a game once in 2018. Losing seven starters from that unit, for Earle, it is a reboot on the offensive side of the ball. That reboot will begin with senior quarterback Kendrick Thomas (6-0, 180), who should be able to generate yardage both through the air and on the ground. His biggest target will be junior wideout Raheem Mitchell (6-4, 195), who will need to exploit his height against smaller defenders. Senior Nasir Shelton joins Mitchell on the outside, while junior Diego Martinez looks to use his speed in the slot position. Also key to scoring more points is a consistent rushing attack. Sophomore Jayvin Johnson will get the chance to own the backfield for the Tigers, aided by Thomas. To kickstart the attack, the offensive line must improve. Junior tackle Dony Alexander (5-10, 260) provides size, but the rest of the line is 220 pounds and under. Elijah Fuentes, Mark Banburger, Kyle Jungeers and Tripp Mims must have excellent technique as, more often than not, they’ll battle bigger defenders in the trenches.
Defense: The Tigers allowed more than 21 points in eight of nine games last year, but injuries played a role in hampering J.R. Tucker’s performance. Eight starters return, and Earle is hopeful this unit will be the one that helps return the Tigers to playoff contention. Both senior safeties, Carter Applewhite and Darrien Cox, and senior linebacker Daniel Walker, all return from injury-shortened junior campaigns. Johnson joins Applewhite, Cox and senior Dirince Poneys in the secondary, while Daniel reunites with younger brother David, a junior, in the linebacking corps. Earle sees that tandem providing improved pressure in the middle of the defense. He also believes his defensive line is the Tigers’ biggest strength. Senior ends Cam Pleasant (5-11, 250) and Quincy Bradley (6-0, 230) surround fellow senior nose tackle Dom Barton (5-10, 225). Earle singled out four-year starter Chris Mitchell, who makes the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, as a smart, physical player who could flourish from the change.
Outlook: After just missing a Class 5, Region B playoff berth on the final night of the 2017 regular season, the Tigers collapsed in 2018. The rebuild begins, and defense must lead the way. J.R. Tucker must also avoid the injury bug that was a big reason for the 0-9 season. It’s tougher than ever to make the postseason in the now 17-team region, with defending Class 6 state champion Manchester included. If the Tigers can grab early wins over Caroline and region foes Prince George and Matoaca, it would give the Tigers legitimate hope when, on the back half of the schedule, they have to travel to Douglas Freeman, Mills Godwin, Deep Run, Thomas Jefferson and Hermitage. A new campus on the horizon in 2021 is doing J.R. Tucker no favors in 2019.
L.C. Bird Skyhawks
Coach: Troy Taylor 2018: 9-3
Offense: The Skyhawks have to replace a whopping 10 starters, including All-Metro running back Tre Mason, who transferred to Life Christian. He ran for 1,860 yards last year. Bird seems to have an assembly line of highly productive running backs, though, and prospects Ramon Brown (5-11, 190 sophomore) and senior Chris Barfield (5-11, 190 senior) should step in. Taylor is waiting for a quarterback to emerge. Senior Elijah Rivers (5-11, 175) and junior Daylan Gregory (5-10, 160) are the wideouts. The line is young, with center Savion Parham (5-9, 185) the only senior. Juniors Keyshawn Williams (6-2, 270) and C.J. Edmonds (5-10, 300) are the guards, with juniors Bryce Benson (6-2, 240) and K.J. Irvin (6-1, 265) at tackle.
Defense: Bird lost a lot on this side of the ball, too, but has returning talent to build around. Senior Tyson Pledger, an end who doubles as a tight end on offense, is 6-2, 215 and a college prospect. Linebackers Mike Allen (5-11, 210 sophomore) and Barfield, along with cornerback Rivers, have next-level potential. Three juniors join Pledger on the line: Kris Trinidad (6-4, 215), Tyreak Reid (6-3, 230) and Khali Carter (6-0, 230). Junior Dom Gray (6-0, 190) is the other linebacker. In the secondary are seniors Shaun Allen and Quentin Elliott, and junior Jordyn Bentley.
Outlook: The Skyhawks always are a team you have to go through to win the region. They have lost more than three games in a season just twice since 1998, a span that includes three state titles from 2012-14. Opponents have narrowed the gap the past two seasons, and this is an inexperienced group in a region where Highland Springs, Manchester and Varina are the teams to beat. Bird’s formula of pounding the ball on the ground and playing good defense has been highly successful for years, and that isn’t likely to change despite the youth. The opening game against rival Thomas Dale may tell a lot.
Lee-Davis Confederates
Coach: Ryan Turnage
2018: 1-9
Offense: Confederates fans may do a double take when they see their quarterback hit the field. Sophomore Mike Joyce has a lot in common with the now graduated Zach Lass (Richmond), including size, skill, as well as baseball talents. Joyce has impressed Turnage during camp, improving his touch on passes and showing an ability to read the field. Joyce will have a host of returning receivers to help him settle into the role. Wideout Austin Moody, at 6-4, provides height, sophomore Dallas Hairfield brings speed, and senior tight ends Micah Rice and Harry Henderson, though not big, both bring experience. It will be running back by committee this year with four sophomores: Chase Stattleman, Mahlik Hatcher, Eric Drozdwicz and Antonio Drozdwicz. The rebuilding is along the line, with senior Derek Reisenweaver the lone returning starter. Senior Casey Crawford (6-4, 280) leads in size. Watch for sophomore Adam Elaal to play a big role.
Defense: Seven starters return from a team that struggled to stop opponents in 2018, giving up just over 45 points per game. Experience dots the secondary with senior Coleton Payne, Joyce’s backup at quarterback as well, joining Hairfield, Stattleman and senior Lavell Williams Jr. The linebacking corps is anchored by Rice and Henderson, who are joined by the Drozdwicz duo and juniors Kyle Whitlock and Malachi Morgan. Crawford and Elaal will also look to help Reisenweaver tighten up their defensive line, which must get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. Sophomores Alex Reid and Dajaun Washington will need to use speed instead of size. Turnage sees promise on the line, and hopes it will translate when it counts.
Outlook: There haven’t been so many questions surrounding a Lee-Davis team since Turnage took over in Mechanicsville in 2014. Last year was the first non-playoff season for the team since Turnage’s first season. Moving down to Class 4, Region B takes Lee-Davis out of, perhaps, the most competitive region in the state. However, with Dinwiddie, Monacan, Louisa and Eastern View all seemingly reloading, 12 teams may be gunning for just four playoff bids. Also working against them is a road-heavy schedule, facing Deep Run, Mills Godwin and Glen Allen away from Mechanicsville, and only hosting Douglas Freeman in the season’s first four weeks. The Confederates also make trips to Atlee and Henrico. St. Christopher’s replaces Highland Springs on the schedule, meaning only nine of their games will count when the numbers are crunched and playoff bids are awarded come November.
Manchester Lancers
Coach: Tom Hall
2018: 15-0
Offense: RB Isaiah Todd is back after rushing for 1,106 yards and earning second-team All-Metro honors last year. So is C James Bell (6-2, 275), who also was named to the second team. There will be a lot of new faces on the offense, as QB Brendon Clark, WR Tre Clark and OL Will Pritchard have graduated. A big question is who will play quarterback. Senior Roemell Garcia was the backup last year, when he primarily ran the ball. Freshman Cody Shelton has a strong arm and is in the mix. Patrick Watson (5-11, 215), a senior who arrived from Wisconsin, can play running back or receiver. Quantez Christian and Damir Whitaker, who transferred from Meadowbrook, are also versatile pieces. Shamar Figueroa rushed for 356 yards and eight touchdowns. Sophomore Brendon Shelton, last year’s JV quarterback, will play receiver.
Defense: The two biggest names from the defense are gone, too, DL Hakeem Beamon (Penn State), the Times-Dispatch defensive player of the year, and LB K.J. McNeil (East Carolina). DT Christian Williams (5-11, 320) is back, and he was named honorable mention All-Metro last year. Andre Crawley got playing time on the line last year, and so did LB Brandon Flippen and LB Jaylen Igner. Pharell Pleasants and Chase Kelly are two new pieces in the secondary.
Outlook: Last year was Manchester’s best season ever, and now it has to prepare for what’s next. This team will look a lot different, and it has to begin a new era without Brendon Clark. But it has an intriguing mix of talent, starting with Todd. Manchester also joins Class 5, which has a number of competitive teams, including Highland Springs, Varina, Henrico and L.C. Bird. Manchester figures to be in the mix with them. There’s plenty of retooling to be done and new players to fit into positions. But there seem to be enough reasons to believe Manchester will have a competitive group in 2019. Its two out-of-district opponents are Varina (in its season opener) and Highland Springs on Oct. 11. Those games will go a long way in determining where Manchester fits into Class 5, Region B.
Matoaca Warriors
Coach: Justin Parker
2018: 3-7
Offense: Parker has experience in several of the skill spots with senior quarterback Marcus Dreher (6-2, 200, threw for more than 900 yards last season) and junior wide receivers Troy Lewis and Jacob Coleman. Parker expects utility players Jordan Robinson (junior) and Gage Simmons (senior) to be playmakers. Senior Brenden Gray and sophomore Cameron Johnson (6-0, 200) are in the backfield. The line will need to grow quickly. Senior guards Brayden Spade (6-2, 240) and DeMeco Mason (5-10, 235) are the only returning starters. Tackles Akhari Haggard (6-2, 250) and Jeremiah Brown (5-8, 250) and center Julian Flood (6-3, 315) are juniors. Tight end Jimmy Hayden (6-0, 210) is a senior.
Defense: This unit gave up a lot of points in the early part of last season. Six players return, with several playing both ways. Parker says he has some athletic linebackers in Hayden, Johnson and senior Juleon Pointer. The secondary has some experience. Simmons and Lewis are the corners, with Robinson and junior Devin Bailey at safety. Spade and senior Nathaniel Dozier (6-1, 245) return on the line. Haggard mans the other tackle spot, with junior Ben White at end.
Outlook: The Warriors picked up wins late last year and gave Thomas Dale and Hopewell battles. They should be more of a factor in Parker’s second season. With a fair number of first-time starters on both sides, the key will be how the line comes along. Depth and fatigue could be factors with reliance on players going both ways. Matoaca plays Varina in its second game, and the back half of the schedule has Dinwiddie, Thomas Dale, Petersburg and Hopewell. The Warriors will have to earn some wins in those games to break into the playoff picture in Class 5, Region B.
Meadowbrook Monarchs
Coach: Chamont Thompson
2018: 0-10
Offense: Senior Xavyeur Crumbley is back at quarterback. He’s 6-3, 215 pounds with a strong arm capable of making all the throws the width of the field. Breon Shelton is the starting running back. He missed 2018 with a torn ACL. Also back from an injury is WR Lloyd Worsham. R.J. Bryant and Tre Henry will add to the receiving corps. Zion Bunns, Mehki Rice and Walter Bartezal are among the starters up front.
Defense: Senior LB Jordan Evans is a three-year starter who is the defense’s signal caller. LB Steven Ward suffered an injury in Week 1 of last year, and he’s back, too. Daniel Bryant will start at nose guard, but depth needs to be found at the two lineman positions on either side of him. John Artis will start at free safety, and Tre Fowler-Davis starts at cornerback. Worsham and Paul Akilo will add in at linebacker/safety.
Outlook: Meadowbrook went 0-10 last year, struggling on offense and defense. Its closest game of the season was a 14-12 loss to L.C. Bird in the season opener. Bird is off the schedule, replaced by Henrico. The bad news is that the out-of-district schedule remains tough with Varina and Highland Springs still on the schedule. There are six T-D Top 10 teams on Meadowbrook’s schedule, and Petersburg is pretty good, too. Finding wins against the other four opponents will be key. So will staying healthy, as injuries unraveled the 2018 season. The good news is that Meadowbrook is in Year 2 with coach Chamont Thompson, and Year 2 under a coach is almost always better than Year 1.
Midlothian Trojans
Coach: Matt Hutchings
2018: 6-5
Offense: There’s a new running back, junior Ed Clark, a 6-1, 190-pound transfer from Cosby who was the starter the past two years. Junior Kameron Olds (6-3, 200), also will line up in the backfield, where the Trojans often use two backs. Senior QB Christian Chambers, a JMU baseball pledge, returns after averaging 119 passing yards a year ago. The offense is almost all new with eight starters gone from last year. But the skill positions have talented guys. TE Jimmy Lopez (6-2, 200) is back as a starter and is just a junior. Jovontae Smith and Brian Davis will lead the receiving corps. But the line has just one starter back, James Oliver, and it needs to get experience. It’ll be a young line with just one senior slated to start at the moment.
Defense: Brayden Staib, the team’s leading tackler who was named first-team All-Metro, has graduated. He’s one of nine starters gone from last year. Lopez, a linebacker, and CB Josh Huft are the two returning starters. Hutchings likes the aggressive nature of the front seven, which includes DE Antonio Perkins, LB Anthony Schwartz and LB Connor Bullock. Senior LB Brian Davis transfers in from Thomas Dale, where he was named all-region. And in the secondary there are guys adept at covering receivers, including CB Ray Eppes, S Justin Kopecko and S Colin Sieler. But like the offense, there’s a lack of experience on the defense, and the players will need to jell quickly. They have the versatility to line up in multiple fronts.
Outlook: Coach Matt Hutchings is back for Year 3. In his first season, he led Midlothian to a 5-6 record and its first playoff appearance in 31 years. Last year, Midlo improved to 6-5 but fell short of its goal of winning a playoff game. Now it moves up to Class 5 after playing the past six years in Class 4. The playoff dynamic isn’t all that different. Its old region had a small crop of teams that dominated it. Its new group has heavy hitters, too, that are accustomed to sitting atop the region standings — Highland Springs, Varina, L.C. Bird and Henrico. Grabbing a playoff spot is a challenging but achievable goal for the Trojans. Beating one of 5B’s top dogs, however, will be much more difficult. Midlothian faces Glen Allen in its season opener, then plays the entire Dominion District. The Trojans need to pull off a win against a strong team, like they did last year beating Monacan. And with such a new team, they need to not lose ground.
Mills Godwin Eagles
Coach: Ron Strine
2018: 5-5
Offense: Eight starters need to be replaced from a unit that had trouble putting points on the board. The Eagles averaged 12.6 points and scored more than 14 just twice. The returnees are senior running back Bryce Safferwich, junior tackle Ethan Calveric and senior tight end Reese Plotkin. Strine expects an improved passing game with junior Grayson Hanks at quarterback. Other senior starters with Safferwich and Plotkin are wide receiver Connor Mahon and guard Bryce Orpiano. There are four juniors — Hanks, Calveric, center Paul Diana and tackle Henry Duke — and three sophomores — running back Chris Harper, wide receiver Darrin Capps and guard Daniel Seo.
Defense: Like the offense, a lot of starters need to be replaced on a unit that was the calling card. A fair number of players will stay on the field with Duke and Calveric at end, Plotkin at linebacker, Hanks and Mahon at the corners, and Safferwich at safety. Junior Flynn Boyle and senior Tyler Ely are the tackles. Junior Ryan Norton and senior Brett Shulleeta are linebackers, and sophomore Marcus Orpiano is a safety.
Outlook: The Eagles have hovered around the .500 mark since 2014. They have a lot of first-time starters and a lot of underclassmen. They’re plugging in three sophomores on offense and one on defense. They also have four juniors on offense and six on defense, so this may be a growing year. Defense kept Godwin close last season, yielding 14 points per game and not surrendering more than 21, and that may need to be the case again. The schedule isn’t daunting and is dotted with teams that probably will be in similar situations, trying to beat each other out of remaining playoff spots in Class 5, Region B. Godwin will see where it stands early against Clover Hill, Lee-Davis and Atlee.
Prince George Royals
Coach: Bruce Carroll
2018: 4-6
Offense: The Royals will need to lean on their line early this season. Four of their eight returning starters are there, led by junior tackle Jaelin Montgomery (6-4, 310) and senior tackle Garrett Burroughs (6-2, 265). Prince George is high on its new center, sophomore Wesley Bostic who, at 6-3, 260, could capture the attention of college coaches this year. The Royals turn to junior tailback Nate Muavau to carry the rushing load. If the line reaches its full potential, Muavau could become one of the surprise skill players in the area. The biggest hole to fill is at quarterback, where Carroll may hand the keys to sophomore Tahir Johnson. At 5-9, 160, Johnson should be a dual threat. Andrew Silden and Devonte Lee are also in the quarterback mix. Their biggest threat in the passing game is thanks to Tavian Morris, a senior wideout that Carroll calls “a legit weapon.” Look for Willie Jennings and tight end Lee Peterson to play important roles as well.
Defense: Prince George will need new players to grow quickly into their roles, with only four returning starters and a transition to a new 3-4 defense. Senior nose tackle Sydney Rose (6-0, 260) will anchor the front. Darius Quiovers is the lone returning starter at linebacker. Senior A.J. Covington and juniors Lee Peterson, Brandon England and William Headley will see time, as will sophomore Curtis Allen. In the secondary, senior safety Arthur Pine returns, mentoring three newcomers: fellow senior safety Amaris Dixon, and cornerbacks Chandler Coleman, a junior, plus freshman Stephon Hicks. Carroll is impressed with the improvement when it comes to speed and quickness, and hopes depth will come around along the line to allow for fresh rotation, especially with the new scheme.
Outlook: A 3-2 start a year ago gave Prince George hope in a crowded Class 5, Region B playoff field. But four losses in its last five games, including two one-possession defeats (Petersburg, Thomas Dale) ended those chances. With the Royals’ region now at seventeen teams, and with Manchester, Midlothian and an improved Clover Hill now part of the mix, the road to the postseason is more difficult. Solid quarterback play early, and improved play later in the season, could be the key to the Royals’ hopes. The optimum start would be wins over region foes Douglas Freeman and J.R. Tucker, both home games, to start the season. The three-game road trip that follows (Churchland, Dinwiddie, Matoaca) could set them up for legitimate postseason hopes, or place them in a deep hole with Thomas Dale and Hopewell on the back end of the schedule.
Varina
Coach: Stu Brown
2018: 8-3
Offense: Isiah Page, a 5-7, 170-pound slot receiver and Varina’s best athlete, is back for his senior season. Last year he averaged 74 rushing and 36 receiving yards. James Reid, a three-year starter, also returns to the line. Barry Hill is a receiver who can vertically stretch defenses. A new quarterback will start, junior Bobby Dunn, who’s a dual-threat. The line includes two three-year starters, Alonzo Ford, a two-way starter, and Makei Hamilton, the team’s best offensive lineman. The line averages 6-foot-2, 280 pounds. Bryson Ross is the running back, and he’s a downhill, power runner. The Blue Devils have used a “power spread” attack the past two seasons.
Defense: Eight starters are back from a defense that recorded four shutouts a year ago. Ford is one of the area’s top linemen, Lorenz Terry (6-6, 240) is on the edge, and Hamilton and Omarion Robinson add depth to the line, but the Blue Devils could use some more. The linebackers are the strength of the defense, including first-team all-region pick Nazeer Jordan and Jaiden Carthorn. Every starter in the secondary comes back, including Linard Scott, who had six interceptions last year. Paige, Hill and Reid will be back there, too.
Outlook: Varina has won eight games the past two years and re-established itself as one of the foremost programs in the Richmond area. Last year, the Blue Devils started the season 6-0 and went untested in those six games. Then they lost three of their final five, the losses coming to Henrico and Highland Springs. 2019 will be a different kind of animal for Varina, which will play both the defending Class 5 champion, Highland Springs, and the Class 6 champion, Manchester. It’ll also play Lake Taylor, Meadowbrook, Hermitage and Henrico, giving Varina a formidable schedule. Anywhere from six to nine wins seem likely for Varina, and they should be a solid playoff contender afterward.