Football Kickoff - 2018

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2018 High School & College Football Preview

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Local High Schools: • • • • • • •

Broadway East Rockingham Harrisonburg Luray Page County Spotswood Turner Ashby

Local Universities: • • • • •

Bridgewater College James Madison University University of Virginia Virginia Tech West Virginia University

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Table of Contents

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Broadway......................................4 East Rockingham..........................6 Harrisonburg . ...............................10 Luray.............................................12 Page County..................................14 Spotswood.....................................16 Turner Ashby.................................18

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By PETE DeLEAord Daily News-Rec

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ON

m Council Mu On Demoted Police Chief

details regard— While demoHARRISONBURG Danny Hanlon’s members Police Chief ing former scant, Dayton council saying there’s tion remain t Monday a statemen released investigation. on June 5 to demote an ongoing voted 5-2 The council to lieutenant. a comes as cop the veteran nd this decision Lt. Hanlon “We understa our community as the town in has served shock to many accordfor 17 years,” t. statemen ing to the of Coun“The decision sudden neither cil was of without seThe decision nor taken tion / DN-R neither rious considerances, Daniel Lin Council was conseque all of for workers, is the result sudden nor taken rather it market is great l study strong job without serious of a personne investiy. While the ... welds on Wednesda and ongoingspent alger Bros., consideration. for Riddleber gation. We fabricator hours over filling vacancies.

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2018 Schedule

Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. at Western Albemarle Aug. 31 vs. Skyline

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 vs. Harrisonburg

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. Fort Defiance

7:30 p.m.

Football 7:30 p.m.

K ick7:00ffp.m.

Sept. 14 at William Monroe Sept. 7 vs. Sherando

Sept. 28 6:00 p.m. vs. Spotswood (at JMU)

Oct. 19 at Waynesboro

Oct. 26 at Turner Ashby

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2 7:00 p.m. vs. Rockbridge County

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By CODY ELLIOTT Daily News-Record BROADWAY — If you’re a high school football team in the state of Virginia, the key to success is simple.

“I think any football team that has success at any level has to be able to establish dominance up front and be able to run the football,” Broadway coach Brad Lutz said. “If you’re going to win a state championship in Virginia, you have to be able to run the rock.”

The Gobblers might not have their eyes set on a state title in 2018, but they are looking for improvement.

After going 9-3 and reaching the regional quarterfinals in 2014, Broadway has won a total of six games since. Those struggles have motivated this year’s team to turn its focus back to the trenches.

“That’s something we take a lot of pride in,” Lutz said. “It’s something we start way back in December when we start lifting weights. Now, we want that to show and translate and carry over onto the football field in our run game.”

The offensive line had been a weak point for Lutz’s team over recent years with youth at the position.

Those young players have grown up, however, and the BHS line is now an experienced group aiming for a big year.

“It starts and ends up front,” senior tackle Aaron Mugrage said. “We’ve been having a good camp. It’s been a lot better than it has been in recent years.”

The team did improve last season, winning two games after getting just one victory in 2016. That wasn’t enough to satisfy the seniors, however, who are hoping for the first winning season of their varsity careers.

“We’ve gotten older now and we have that experience,” BHS center

Broadway’s Parker Smith runs through a drill during practice.

(Photo Daniel Lin, Daily NewsRecord)

Parker Smith said. “We’re really hoping it can be the drive behind our team.”

With no playoff appearances since 2014, Smith notes the correlation between the line’s performance and the team’s win total.

“I think it’s not just this year but more like every year,” Smith said of his team’s focus up front. “We have always

Broadway’s Bryar Wheeler talks with assistant coach Joe Paxton during practice. (Photo Daniel Lin, Daily NewsRecord)

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2018 Broadway Roster No. Name 1 Bryar Wheeler 2 Hunter Kaplinger 3 Cameron Showalter 4 Garrett Kile 5 Landen Stuhlmiller 6 Landen Maul 7 Brandon Cruz 8 Josh Roudabush 10 Nick Lohr 11 Cole Hoover 13 Brody Carr 14 Courtland Wilt 15 Timmy Lapp 16 Brade Smith 17 Savanah Copenhaver 19 David Thew 20 Nate Tinnell 22 Bryce Suters 23 Caleb Williams 24 Josh Crummel 30 Kay’Shawn Wenzel 33 Phillip Lamma 44 Bryson Lutz 50 Bryson Lutz 51 Brent Hulse 52 Jarrod Nicklow 53 Gage Kile 54 Silas Caldwell 55 Aaron Mugrage 57 Jacob Juarez 58 Oscar Cruz Sanchez 59 Mark Molina Nava 61 Kay’Shawn Wenzel 62 Parker Smith 63 Mike Molina Nava 66 Hayden Sherman 72 Yee Ung

Year Pos. 12 SB/CB/FS 12 SB/FB/LB 9 RB/SB/FS 12 WR/SS 9 QB/SB/FS 9 RB/SB/SS 12 RB/OLB 12 WR/CB 12 QB/OLB 9 QB/MLB 9 SB/OLB 9 TE/OLB 10 RB/MLB 9 RB/MLB 9 K/P 11 WR/FS 10 WR/OLB 10 QB/FS 11 WR/CB 10 RB/LB 11 TE/DT 12 RB/MLB 10 TE/DT 10 C/G/DT 11 G/DT 12 T/DT 9 T/DT 11 G/NG 12 T/NG 10 C/DT 10 G/DT 12 G/DT 11 T/DT 11 C/DT 10 T/DT 9 T/DT 10 G/DT

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relied heavily on our offensive line.

During years where our offensive line hasn’t been the best, our team hasn’t been the best.”

The Gobblers’ optimism comes from the experience in the group. “I think our experience is our biggest strength,” Lutz said. “We’ve got a ton of guys coming back and we’ve got a good, competitive environment. We don’t have a lot of players on our roster, but every position is still up for grabs.

That creates a good environment in practice. Our guys know that. Our guys know that they’ve got people pushing them. In return, it makes everyone better because we’ve got some really competitive situations on the field.”

Broadway coach Brad Lutz runs his

As players still compete for starting players through drills during practice. spots leading up to the start of the (Photo Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record) season, Lutz is continuing to build a unit that he said he hopes will resemble the playoff teams of past years.

“It’s not something we commit to solely,” Lutz said of the run game.

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East Rockingham East Rock running back J’wan Evans is tackled by Buffalo Gap’s Jacob Thompson during the second quarter last season in Elkton.

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2018 Schedule Aug. 24 at Spotswood

7:00 p.m.

Aug. 31 7:00 p.m. vs. Madison County Sept. 7 at R.E. Lee

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 14 vs. Riverheads

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Page County

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 28 8:15 p.m. vs. Stuarts Draft (at JMU) Oct. 12 at Buffalo Gap

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 19 7:00 p.m. vs. Stonewall Jackson Oct. 26 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Memorial Nov. 2 vs. Luray

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By CODY ELLIOTT Daily News-Record ELKTON — One glance across East Rockingham’s roster and you see a lot of speed.

From running back J’wan Evans to wide receiver Darrias Brown, the team is built to play up-tempo.

This offseason, however, coach Donnie Coleman has turned his attention to another aspect of the game — physicality.

The Eagles have been known for years — dating back to the days of Jaylen McNair and Javon Butler — for their big numbers on offense.

Last season, under first-year defensive coordinator and ex-Division I assistant Kyle Gillenwater, the Eagles posted their best defensive year in

recent memory. “Just getting to the football,” cornerback Chandler Breeden said. “Coach Gillenwater and Coach Coleman emphasize putting a lot of hats around the football. We want to get everyone there and just don’t let up. Play to the whistle but come in with a big hit.”

Coleman said with so many skill guys, it would be easy to play the best athletes on both sides of the ball.

Instead, the ERHS coaching staff sat down last season and set up a system where players are focused on one position and one phase of the game.

“I think it’s all about defining roles,” Coleman said. “Our kids have done a great job. Last year, I said, ‘Look, here’s a group of kids.’ We could have played 15 kids and just played them

but we went to a two-platoon system.

We divided them up and said, ‘Hey, you’re on offense. You’re on defense.’

Now, those kids are really starting to excel here this offseason and in the preseason.”

First team All-Shenandoah District tackle Logan Dofflemyer is a key piece to the Eagles offense. He knows the importance of his role but admits that as a unit, the group works together to bring a toughness to the run game. “When our running backs run,” Dofflemyer said, “no matter what, they do a good job. We always know we can get them the next play. They help us a lot with confidence.”

Evans led the Shenandoah District with 1,878 yards in 2017 along with 18 touchdowns en route to first-team AllRegion 2B honors.

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Football K ick ff A great place to live, work and play

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Elkton Community Center RECREATION PROGRAMS

Elkton Rec Senior Program 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am.

Flag Football: 1st-3rd grades, 3rd grader must weigh under 65lbs, September-November.

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September-November. Sign-ups start August 1, Last day to sign up is September 19.

Boys Basketball: K-12th grades. December-February. Sign-ups start November 1 Mens Basketball: March & April. Cost is $45.00 per person.

Girls Volleyball: 5th-10th grades, November–December.

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East Rockingham junior Darrias Brown shakes off Page County sophomore Trey Knight III on Sept. 22, 2017. (Photo Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

Football K ick ff East Rock coach Donnie Coleman watches offseason workouts on July 7 in Elkton.

(Photo Cody Elliott, Daily News-Record)

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound back said the offseason work his team put in is symbolic of the team’s blue-collar mindset entering the season.

“The weight room sessions we’ve been having this summer — I’ve never seen anything like it,” Evans said.

“We’ve been putting in work and coming right back to the weight room. I love this team.”

Coming off a 7-4 season, Coleman felt like his team got better throughout the year and played much more physical by season’s end.

He points to the two-platoon system as a big reason why the players bought in. “It’s super competitive,” he said. “It makes your practices go better. I think as the season went along last year, we really got better. Our kids got better because of that.”

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No. Name 1 J’wan Evans 2 Jaeden Rouse 3 Dylan Williams 4 Darrias Brown 5 Trenton Morris 6 Griffin Morris 7 Tyce McNair 8 Isaac Kisling 9 Parker Lawhon 10 Chandler Breeden 11 Lane Comer 12 Blake Baylor 18 Riley Ream 20 Tanner Kisling 21 Taylor Spencer 23 Matthew Fries 24 Colton Dean 25 Trenton Dofflemyer 26 Colby Price 32 Jamarcus Davis 36 Dustin Dove 50 Kaden Bush 51 Mark Carter 54 Jordan Good 56 Anthony Kee 62 Nathaniel Bradley 65 Octavius Brown 66 Zeb Bradley 68 William Comer 70 Teriek Sweet 72 Logan Dofflemyer 73 Benjamin Good 74 Zachary Shifflett 75 Joseph Carrickhoff 76 Isom Whitely 77 Blake Veney

Year Pos. 12 RB/DB 11 WR/DB 12 QB/DB 12 WR/DB 11 RB/LB 12 WR/LB 11 QB/DB 12 WR/DB 12 OL/DL 12 RB/DB 10 WR/DB 12 TE/LB 11 WR/DB 12 WR/DB 12 WR/DB 10 RB/LB 11 RB/LB 10 WR/DB 11 K 11 RB/LB 12 RB/LB 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 10 OL/DL 10 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL

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2018 Schedule

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Harrisonburg Harrisonburg’s Jaylin Smith watches the action during the first day of Blue Streaks’ practice on Monday at HHS. (Photo Jim Sacco, Daily News-Record)

Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. vs. Lord Botetourt Sept. 1 at John Handley

1:00 p.m.

Sept. 7 7:00 p.m. vs. Charlottesville Sept. 14 at Brookville

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Broadway

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 4:45 p.m. vs. Waynesboro (at JMU) Oct. 5 7:00 p.m. at Rockbridge County Oct. 19 at Fort Defiance

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26 vs. Spotswood

7:00 p.m.

By CODY ELLIOTT Daily News-Record

Nov. 2 vs. Turner Ashby

7:00 p.m.

HARRISONBURG — During every season of his tenure as the Harrisonburg coach, Chris Thurman preached the importance of the culture surrounding the program.

Entering his eighth year at the helm of the Blue Streaks, Thurman said he believes he finally found what he’s been looking for. “It’s been night and day,” Thurman said of the team’s approach. “Everybody knows what is expected now and everybody knows what it takes to win.”

The Streaks made their debut at the Class 5 level last season. In its first playoff appearance since 2011, HHS got its first postseason victory since 2010 with a 35-0 regional quarterfinal

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win over Albemarle. The third-seeded Streaks fell to No. 2 Stafford 48-27 the next week in the semifinals.

Last year’s senior class included quarterback A.C. White, who is now on Old Dominion University’s roster as a tight end, and All-Valley District receiver Steven Gilbert.

Thurman said that group is a big reason for the turnaround of the program, which ended Harrisonburg’s longest playoff drought in 47 years.

“The effort was there throughout the offseason,” Thurman said. “We had a lot more show up during the summer workouts than we have had in previous years. The guys have put the time in.

They’ve worked hard.”

Senior Marcus Robinson-Jenkins is without question the highlight

of this year’s team. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder currently has five Division I offers. “Marcus has done a great job stepping up as a leader for us,” junior Austin White said. “We know we can rely on him and whenever things aren’t going well, we can give the ball to him.”

While the team will rely on Robinson-Jenkins heavily, Thurman said the goal of the preseason has been getting the guys around him prepared for increased roles.

He pointed to wide receiver Ja’hiem Anderson as a speedy guy who will thrive in the Streaks’ spread scheme and said the quarterback battle between juniors Austin White and Kwentin Smiley is expected to last until opening night.

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2018 Harrisonburg Roster

Harrisonburg’s Marcus Robinson-Jenkins talks to teammates during the first day of Blue Streaks’ practice at HHS. (Photo Jim Sacco, Daily News-Record) Thurman said. “We’ve got a couple of guys out there that are starting to look strong. We still have some battles.

They’re getting after it.”

Thurman said his offense provides plenty of opportunity for players to thrive. He said that while RobinsonJenkins is a special talent, he can’t do it alone, as did the running back himself.

“I know that without my teammates,” Robinson-Jenkins said, “I won’t accomplish anything. I’ve got to rely on those guys just as much as they rely on me. Without all those guys around me, I wouldn’t be where I’m at now.”

Thurman said, outside of the skill guys, he hopes to improve along the offensive line. “I’ve been pleased with what we have up front,” he said. “Those guys are working hard. I wouldn’t say we have gelled yet because we are still having some missed assignments, but we are certainly getting there.”

The unit has two returners in alldistrict selections Chris Johnson and Tommy Karageorge. “We’re still trying to figure some things out,” Thurman said. “We changed some of the fronts,

so at times we forget who to block and that kind of stuff. It’s all the typical first week and second week type of stuff that comes along with it. Hopefully by the time we get to Week 1, we’ll know who to get.”

Thurman said the defense has looked strong through the early portion of camp. While he has focused on improving the offensive line, he said he’s happy with the guys on the other side of the trenches. “Our defensive front has really played well,” Thurman said. “I know it’s seven days in but our defensive front looks pretty good.” The coach acknowledged his team has a ways to go.

With a scheduled kickoff to the regular season on Aug. 25 at home against Lord Botetourt, Thurman said that’s just enough time to get things tuned up. “We’re getting there, but it’s a work-inprogress until we get to game week,” he said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be ready by then.”

No. Name Year Pos. 1 Austin White 11 QB/DB 2 Marcus Robinson-Jenkins 12 RB/DB 3 Victor Lynch 12 RB/DB 4 Josh Strader 12 WR/DB 8 Qwentin Smiley 11 QB/DB 7 Jahiem Anderson 12 WR/DB 11 Ryan Muncy 10 QB/DB 12 Conor Wells 10 QB/DB 13 Isaiah Hamilton 10 WR/DB 14 Pierre Mbala 12 FB/LB 15 Elijah Pinedo 10 WR/DB 16 Edgar Ramirez 10 WR/DB 17 Gabe Poirot 12 WR/LB 18 Trevor Whetzel 10 RB/LB 19 Kie Lockhart 12 WR/DB 20 Tyler Dean 12 RB/LB 21 Kelvin Delgado 12 WR/DB 22 Jose Ayala 11 FB/LB 23 Jaden Johnson 11 WR/DB 24 Casey Blankenship 12 FB/LB 25 Kevin Fermen 12 WR/DB 26 Dunston Williams 10 RB/DB 30 Jaylin Smith 11 FB/DE 31 Dameyon Simmons 10 TE/DE 33 Anttwone Washington 10 FB/LB 34 Mateo Peric 11 K 36 Charles Omeyala 12 FB/DE

Harrisonburg senior Ja’hiem Anderson waits to run a route in the rain during practice.

(Photo Jim Sacco, Daily News-Record) Harrisonburg’s Austin White under center during the first day of Blue Streaks’ practice at HHS. (Photo Jim Sacco, Daily News-Record)

37 Terius Allen 12 FB/DL 38 Logan Smith 11 FB/DL 40 Xander Collazo 10 RB/LB 41 Tazion Lockhart 12 WR/DB 42 Nyaz Named 10 RB/DE 43 Blake Metcalfe 10 WR/DB 44 Evan Larson 11 K 45 John Jackson 11 FB/LB 48 Ethan Mchone 12 WR/DB 49 Jaden Jackson 11 FB/LB 50 Adrian Lopez 10 OL/DL 51 Juniel Rodriguez 12 OL/DL 53 Steven Aguilar 10 FB/DL 54 Cain Wilson 11 OL/DL 55 Kenth Bustillo 12 OL/DL 56 Cameron Turner 12 OL/DL 58 Tony Suavez 11 OL/DL 59 Tommy Karageorge 12 OL/DL 62 Alend Rostem 12 OL/DL 66 Mustafa Adel 11 OL/DL 73 Kosret Sayyid 10 OL/DL 76 Bryan Acevedo 11 OL/DL 77 Deshaun Anderson-Gerald 12 OL/DL 79 Chris Johnson 12 OL/DL 80 Artem Artemenko 11 WR/DB 82 Fransico Villegas 10 WR/DB 85 Jazen Walker 10 WR/DB 88 Malachi Davis 11 WR/DB

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Luray

2018 Schedule Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. at Madison County Aug. 31 vs. Strasburg

7:00 p.m.

Football 7:00 p.m.

K ick7:00ffp.m.

Sept. 14 Sept. 7 vs. Buffalo Gap

at Stonewall Jackson

Sept. 21 7:00 p.m. vs. Wilson Memorial Oct. 5 at R.E. Lee

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Page County

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. Riverheads

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26 vs. Stuarts Draft

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2 7:00 p.m. at East Rockingham

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By TRAVIS LONG For the Daily News-Record LURAY — When toe meets leather for the opening kickoff of Luray’s football season Aug. 24 at Madison County, the Bulldogs will be looking to follow up on one of the most successful seasons in program history.

Luray finished with a school-record 11 victories and advanced all the way to the Class 2 Region B finals, where the Bulldogs fell to eventual state runner-up Lee, 38-6.

LHS must also replace some key players who graduated this past spring, including 1,000-yard rusher and firstteam all-state all-purpose performer Dylan Jenkins and second-team allstate defensive end and Shenandoah District defensive Player of the Year Drew Comer. “We are looking to replace quite a few starters from last fall especially at skill positions,” said Luray coach Nolan Jeffries.

“Evan Hamilton and Dalton Griffith are competing for quarterback, and Elijah Dale, Austin Holloway, Jaden Cooper, Timmy Trudell, Ethan Strate, Dylan Atkins, Justin Vaughn, J.T. Lee

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Luray head coach Nolan Jeffries watches over skill position drills during the Bulldogs’ early morning practice session at LHS. (Photo Travis Long for Daily News-Record) and Justin Cave are competing for roles in the backfield,” Jeffries said.

Whoever claims those position battles will have the luxury of playing behind an experienced offensive line which, in addition to Jenkins’ super productive season, paved the way for Tristan Yowell to top the 1,000-yard mark last fall.

“Our strength is definitely at offensive line,” said Jeffries, who noted

that key returners and standouts on the line have been Justin Fletcher (second-team all-region center), Patrick Porter, Johnny Hensh (second-team all-district) and Ray Good.

On defense, the Bulldogs will be led by Hamilton, who earned first-team All-Shenandoah and second-team all-region honors at defensive back last season. “Evan Hamilton has been a solid leader in the defensive backfield,”

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Football K ick ff 2018

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2018 Luray Roster

Jeffries said. “I expect Hayden Campbell and Dylan Atkins to stand out on defense at linebacker.”

Luray, like most area schools, has been busy preparing for its 2018 campaign, which is quickly approaching.

“Practice has went well so far,” Jeffries said. “The student-athletes have bought into the systems and now we are working towards competing in every drill.”

Pushing hard on every play is important at any level, but more so in the Shenandoah District, which yearly proves to be one of the state’s most formidable in Class 2.

Following the Bulldogs’ opener at Madison and a home contest against Strasburg, Luray jumps right into league play at home against Buffalo Gap on Sept. 5. “The schedule sets up well with a bye week after Game 5 for us,” Jeffries said. “We will need to be ready to play each week because there are no easy outs on our schedule especially in the Shenandoah District.”

With games against perennial playoff contenders in Stuarts Draft, Lee, defending Class 1 state champ Riverheads and East Rockingham (which Luray topped last year in its regular-season finale and again in the opening round of the playoffs), the Bulldogs’ slate promises to be a daunting task — and one in which there are few, if any layups. That reality has made the team’s preparation a key for success this fall.

“The players have been focusing and working to get better each day. We are hoping that the new guys will be able to step in and play a physical brand of football,” Jeffries said. “As a team we talk about improving each day, playing hard for one another and enjoying the process. We are striving each day to reach those goals.”

No. Name 2 Jordan Windle 3 Dalton Griffith 4 Evan Hamilton 5 Jaden Couper 8 Elijah Dale 21 Dylan Atkins 22 J. T. Lee 24 Timothy Trudell 25 Tylor Dahnert 28 Justin Cave 29 Austin Holloway 34 Ethan Strate 35 Michael Griffith 39 Nick Jennings 40 Cameron Good 44 Hayden Campbell 47 Dominic Harrison 50 Anthony Dodson 51 Ray Good 57 Johnny Hensh 59 Justin Fletcher 61 Patrick Porter 63 Dakota Stoneberger 65 Caden Speaks 71 Chris Dodson 73 Cory Griffith 83 Bryan Owen 89 Devon Lam

Year Pos. 11 K 10 QB/LB 12 WR/DB 10 RB/LB 11 RB/DB 11 RB/LB 12 RB/DB 11 RB/LB 11 TE/DE 10 RB/LB 10 RB/DB 11 RB/DB 11 TE/LB 10 TE/DB 10 TE/LB 11 OL/LB 11 TE/LB 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 10 TE/DE 10 TE/DL

Football K ick ff

Luray’s backfield runs a play during the bulldogs’ morning practice at LHS. (Photo Travis Long for Daily News-Record)

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Page County

Football K ick ff

2018 Schedule

Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. at Rappahannock County Aug. 31 7:00 p.m. vs. Nelson County Sept. 14 at Stuarts Draft

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 21 7:00 p.m. vs. East Rockingham Sept. 28 at Buffalo Gap

2:00 p.m.

Oct. 5 7:00 p.m. vs. Stonewall Jackson Oct. 12 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Memorial Oct. 19 vs. Luray

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26 at R.E. Lee

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2 vs. Riverheads

7:00 p.m.

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Page County coach Joey Soltis fills in along the offensive line during practice. (Photo Travis Long for Daily News-Record)

By TRAVIS LONG For the Daily News-Record SHENANDOAH — Progressing from a 3-7 campaign that saw the Page County High School football team pick up a pair of gaudy early-season victories, but struggle against the meat of a strong Shenandoah District schedule, Panthers coach Joey Soltis is hoping for balanced effort week-in, week-out from his squad.

“We are looking to improve our consistency,” Soltis said. “Too many times last year we would play against ourselves and could not overcome that.

That was the difference in a few games we could have won.”

After a 58-18 win in its opener over Rappahannock County and a follow-up 52-18 blowout victory at Nelson County, the Panthers only won one more contest (48-19 over

Stonewall Jackson), but played tough against some of the league’s tougher opponents in close setbacks to Stuarts Draft and Wilson Memorial — meaning a .500 season was agonizingly close and a fair possibility.

This year, however, the Panthers will be looking to revamp somewhat after losing a number of skill-position players to graduation, including quarterback William Hart.

“We graduated 15 seniors last year and we have 22 players on the team this year. So, we have plenty of spots to fill,” Soltis said.

Moving under center to replace Hart will be junior Trey Knight, who will have the benefit of playing his second year under the Panthers’ offensive system. “Trey Knight is a lot further along at quarterback this year. You can tell it is his second year in the offense.

He is looking more comfortable,” Soltis said.

A few other returners have also been bright spots so far this year, with the Panthers continuing the second week of practice this week.

“Tristan Gordon and Mikey Cash have had a good start to camp,” Soltis said. “As have our young linemen — Doug Corbin, Josh Huffman, Austin Buracker, John Higgs and Wyatt Hensley.”

Gordon, a junior, was a second-team All-Region 2B and AllShenandoah District linebacker last season, while Cash, also a junior, should work out of the slot in the Panthers’ spread-based offense this fall. Among the offensive linemen Soltis mentioned, none are seniors while Corbin and Huffman are just freshmen —giving the young Panthers

Football K ick ff 2018

15

2018 Page Roster Player Year Austin Buracker 10 Mikey Cash 11 Doug Corbin 9 Daniel Cubbage 12 Jerry Cubbage 12 Zairon Eppard 12 Tristan Gordon 11 Wyatt Hensley 11 John Higgs 11 Josh Huffman 9 Trey Knight III 11 Jacob Koontz 12 Bryce McClung 11 David Rothgeb 10 Jason Rothgeb 11 Clay Seal 11 Chris Short 10 Jared Sours 12 Patrick Sullivan 10 Damian Thompson 10 Trevor Williams 11 Seth Wright 10

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the opportunity to build and grow more comfortable as the campaign progresses.

That focus on improving has spilled over into practice, Soltis said.

“Practice has gone well so far,” he said. “With our second year running this offense and defense, things have been more crisp this year. Our attitude and effort has been high as well. Our numbers are down, but we have enough talent to be successful if everyone works for each other and does their responsibility.”

Working together will be a focal point in the Shenandoah District, which annually proves to be one of the tougher leagues in Class 2. “The district is tough, but we are, too,” Soltis said. “If you are mentally tough and have perseverance, you will be surprised at how much you can accomplish,” he said. “It is still early, but, so far, I think our team has started to develop an us mentality instead of a me mentality. That will be key in our success.”

The Panthers open the regular season at Rappahannock on Aug. 24.

Page County quarterback Trey Knight uses his blocking and runs a play to the outside. (Photo Travis Long for Daily News-Record)

PCHS coach Joey Soltis talks with Mikey Cash during practice Tuesday. (Photo Travis Long for Daily News-Record)

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Spotswood Spotswood running back Brennan Brown avoids a tackle

by Rockbridge defensive back Johnathan Dunn during the first quarter last season in Penn Laird.

(Photo Stephen Swofford, Daily News-Record)

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2018 Schedule

Aug. 24 7:00 p.m. vs. East Rockingham Aug. 31 7:00 p.m. at William Monroe Sept. 14 at Monticello

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 21 7:00 p.m. vs. William Fleming Sept. 28 6:00 p.m. vs. Broadway (at JMU) Oct. 5 at Waynesboro

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. Turner Ashby

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 19 7:00 p.m. vs. Rockbridge County Oct. 26 at Harrisonburg

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Fort Defiance

7:00 p.m.

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By CODY ELLIOTT Daily News-Record PENN LAIRD — In two years, Dale Shifflett changed the culture at Spotswood.

Under Shifflett — who previously served as Donnie Coleman’s offensive coordinator at East Rockingham — the Trailblazers have had successive eightwin seasons. Prior to Shifflett’s arrival, Spotswood went 3-7 in back-to-back years.

The team went to the playoffs the past two seasons — a first for the program — and picked up the fourth and fifth postseason victories in school history. “We’ve been fortunate enough to go to the playoffs each year, get a victory and win eight games,” Shifflett said. “I think a big thing for us is getting

better each week and concentrating on the guys in front of us or our next opponent.”

That’s a job that’s easier said than done. SHS will look to replace 16 seniors this year. But, despite that challenge, the current players still have their sights on the same goals.

“Our first thing is win the district,” wide receiver Connell Ischinger said. “It’s one of the first things to take care of.”

Shifflett is a bit more conservative when it comes to the outlook of his team. “It’s one of our long-term goals,” the coach said. “We talk too about taking things one game at a time. The last two years, since I’ve taken over, we’ve kind of started off slow in terms of the win totals and then we would pick it up at the end.”

The team’s 2017 campaign suffered a messy ending in a 55-14 Region 3C semifinal blowout loss to Heritage-Lynchburg. That loss is fueling the fire for another postseason run this season.

“I think we have the experience and the talent to keep that tradition going,” running back Brennan Brown said.

Last year, Brown was Spotswood’s top rusher at 1,215 yards on 166 carries and a team-high 13 touchdowns. He earned a first-team All-Region 3C and was an All-Valley District selection at running back and was a second-team all-district pick at linebacker.

The Blazers will also have to replace quarterback Alec High, who graduated. High left the program with

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Football K ick ff 2018

17

2018 Spotswood Roster

Spotswood coach Dale Shifflett meets with his team during a timeout last season.

(Photo Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record) its single-season passing record of 1,800 yards, which he accomplished as a junior. He also ranked in the top five at Spotswood in career passing yards, career TD passes, career completions and games of 100-plus passing yards.

The past two seasons, the Valley District title chase has come down to the regular-season matchup between Harrisonburg and Spotswood.

“We still have the same coaching staff,” Ischinger said. “I think with them and some of our veteran guys, we still have a pretty good chance.”

The mystery factor of the playoffs is what’s so appealing to the players.

Ischinger said he believes it starts Brennan Brown smiles at media day at Turner Ashby. (Cody Elliott, Daily News-Record)

with the district title because if you win that, anything can happen in regional play. “Each game is a different, unique challenge so we definitely want to go game-by-game but then we want to ultimately win the district,” he said.

“Then if you can win a couple of playoff games, you never know.”

Shifflett said he will continue to preach the one-game-at-a-time approach throughout the season. He doesn’t dismiss the idea of winning championships but said he simply wants his team to focus on the task at hand. “If that puts us in that situation long term, great,” he said. “Once you get in, you never know what’s going to happen.”

No. Name 1 Rob Smith 2 Jack Meck 3 Ben Griffith 4 Quentin Hayes 5 Colton Good 6 Connel Ischinger 7 Ryan High 8 Elijiah Mushagasha 9 AJ Dooms 10 Ryan Shonk 11 Sam Polglase 12 Andrew Moomaw 14 John Van Huss 15 Brennan Brown 20 Ripley Plaster 22 Tyler Stobbs 24 Ethan Barnhart 26 Cole Grindle 30 Padan Shank 31 Ben Conahan 32 Ashton Wilson 34 Cole Myers 35 Samuel Stadnik

Year Pos. 11 WR/DB 11 WR/DB 12 K 11 WR/DB 11 WR/DB 12 WR/DB 10 QB/DB 12 QB/WR/DB 10 WR/DE 10 TE/DE/DB 10 WR/DB 10 WR/DB 11 WR/DB 12 RB/LB 12 WR/DB 10 RB/LB/DB 11 RB/DB 10 TE/DE 11 RB/LB 11 RB/LB 12 TE/DE 11 RB/LB 12 WR/DB

No. Name 41 Abrey Atwell 42 Thomas Holsapple 43 Andrew Foltz 44 Hunter Armentrout 45 Josue Cortes 46 Baylor Robinson 51 Matt Medlin 52 Chris Medlin 54 Evan Atkins 56 Austin Altland 58 Kaleb Luker 61 Fernando Otzoy 65 Tyler Gaylor 71 Jordan Townsend 74 Dallas Khalil 77 Josh Good 78 Colby Morris 80 Cy Alderman 82 Kweli Wilson 83 Andrew Harman 84 Alfonso Romero 88 Emmet Shank 89 Andrew Caldwell

Year Pos. 12 K 9 RB/WR/DE/DB 10 K 10 TE/DL 11 TE/DE 10 RB/LB 10 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 10 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 9 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 10 K/WR/DB 10 WR/DB 10 TE/DE 10 WR/DB 10 WR/DB 11 TE/DE

Football K ick ff

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Turner Ashby

2018 Schedule Aug. 24 vs. R.E. Lee

Aug. 31 at Eastern View

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Football 7:00 p.m.

K ick7:00ffp.m.

Sept. 14 Sept. 7 vs. Monticello at Millbrook

Sept. 21 vs. Waynesboro

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Fort Defiance

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26 vs. Broadway

7:00 p.m.

By CODY ELLIOTT Daily News-Record

Sept. 29 7:00 p.m. vs. Rockbridge County (at JMU)

Oct. 12 at Spotswood

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Harrisonburg

7:00 p.m.

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BRIDGEWATER — It’s been a full year of change for Turner Ashby. Following the resignation of 14-year football coach Charlie Newman last winter, the school replaced the former James Madison linebacker with Chris Fraser, who had previous head-coaching experience at four Virginia high schools.

That first season resulted in a 2-8 record, the program’s first losing season since 2014. “We decided in the offseason that [physicality] was going to be a big emphasis,” Fraser said. “We want to get back to what TA has been known for.”

The Knights went 77-73 over Newman’s 14 seasons as coach. He served as an assistant for 18 years prior to that.

While Fraser has a unique coaching style of his own, he still talks with Newman regularly and said he hopes to get back to the style of play the former coach implemented.

Turner Ashby senior running back Jacob Dellinger (right) takes a handoff from sophomore quarterback Trey Gillenwater during practice drills.

(Photo Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

“Quite frankly,” Fraser said, “in the past seven years, we’ve given up 37 points per game. Somewhere along the line, the physicality has gotten away from us. We want to keep it simple.”

Marquis Woodyard — a former JMU football player and newly appointed TA boys basketball coach — will serve as the team’s offensive coordinator this season. Woodyard has brought a simple but effective scheme that requires toughness from the players.

“It all starts with us,” TA lineman Jessie Knight said. “We’ve got to be physical up front every single play.

We’ve got to hit people.”

The work started in the offseason, where Fraser praised his team for their commitment throughout the summer.

“We’ve been staying in the weight room, constantly running,” senior lineman Zach Shields said. “We don’t take breaks. We stay physical and just develop that mental toughness with a lot of lifting.”

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Football K ick ff 2018

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2018 turner ashby Roster Player Year Shawn Abercrombie 11 Ryan Alderfer 10 Jay Barnette 10 Joey Bennett 12 Nick Boychenko 10 Wyatt Campbell 10 Will Childs 10 Jeremy Christian 12 Jacob Dellinger 12 Jared Eye 11 Garrett Friel 10 Trey Gillenwater 10 Kevin Guevara 10 C. J. Haskins 11 Aiden Keesee 11 Jessie Knight 11 George Leal-Torres 10 Jay Longcor 10 Shannon Lowry 12 Peyton Neff 10 Dustyn Ochoa 12 Brandon Onestak 11 Tyler Pettit 11 Ross Pritt 10 Samuel Quesenberry 12 Tyler Quick 12 Bristol Reese 10 Jack Rhodes 11 Enrique Romero 12 Josiah Schulz 12 Zachary Shields 11 Mateo Simmons 10 Tristan Sites 12 Nicholas Smallwood 10 Kyle Stephenson 11 Nathan Stevens 10 Grant Swinehart 11 Aaron Young 12

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Turner Ashby junior lineman Jesse Knight prepares to run a drill.

(Photo Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

The team will run a pro-style offense, in which it will look to put the ball in the hands of standouts Grant Swinehart and Jared Dellinger. “We felt like when we met as staff,” Fraser said, “we were going to put ourselves in a position offensively that’s going to best utilize our talent. It’ll be interesting to see how it translates out here.”

TA was the first city/county team to take the field this season, opting to practice the first day the Virginia High School League allows teams to go. “We have such a good group of kids,” Fraser said. “They’re fun at practice and we try to keep it fun for them. That’s what

we’re trying to do. We’re letting them have fun so that it doesn’t become a grind every day.”

Shields said the team is optimistic it can get back to the playoffs this season. “It’s definitely been paying off,” he said. We’re getting closer, stronger.

You can see a big difference this year.

We have to get off the ball, make our blocks and make our reads. Then we’ll be fine.”

“They work so hard,” Fraser added. “They’re just impressive kids.

They’re great community people who come from good families.”

Turner Ashby junior running back Grant Swinehart makes a catch during practice drills. (Photo Daniel Lin, Daily NewsRecord)

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Football K ick ff 2018

Bridgewater College Bridgewater quarterback Jay Scroggins throws a pass during the Eagles’ game against Randolph-Macon last season.

(Photo Stephen Swofford, Daily News-Record)

Football K ick ff 2018 Schedule Sept. 1 at Gettysburg

1:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Stevenson

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. N.C. Wesleyan

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Guilford

1:00 p.m.

Oct. 6 1:00 p.m. vs. Washington & Lee Oct. 13 2:00 p.m. vs. Hampden-Sydney Oct. 20 1:00 p.m. at Randolph-Macon Oct. 27 vs. Shenandoah

2:00 p.m.

Nov. 3 1:00 p.m. vs. Emory & Henry Nov. 10 at Ferrum

2:00 p.m.

Good Luck!

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By GREG MADIA Daily News-Record BRIDGEWATER — When something isn’t working, change is necessary even for someone who has been at the same job for a long time.

The last three football seasons at Bridgewater College weren’t what the school and its football coach are accustomed to.

“We’re going to make another run at this thing in my time,” 24th-year Eagles coach Michael Clark said.

BC opens its 2018 campaign on Sept. 1 at Gettysburg. Last year, the Eagles finished 4-6 and haven’t had a

winning season since their 8-2 mark in 2014.

Over the last five seasons, the team is 25-25 and the .500 win-loss record is a drastic fall from when Clark led BC to six consecutive Division III playoff appearances from 2000 through 2005.

“I’m aware of the value it can bring to the community and there’s some key people that have heard about it but haven’t seen it,” Clark said. “And that’s my final push when I’m here. I need to let these people see this. It isn’t just about football. If this is done right, it makes things better for the college.”

But before Clark and the Eagles

start thinking big, they need to find out what the formula for success is as they move forward.

This coming fall is all about altering the trajectory of the program, Clark said. “We’re in one of those seasons where we have to rebase some things,” Clark said. “It’s hard when you’ve been here as long as I have and then you have to say, ‘We’ve lost some things that made us good,’ and we did.

“I think you can teach leadership and I’ve tried to tell the kids that scoreboards matter, but they can’t define how you work, how you behave or what you’re attitude and effort is. I

Football K ick ff 2018

21

role. Junior Jarrod Denham and sophomore Demetreus Jalapes will battle for the job.

Where BC does bring back experience is at quarterback. Both seniors Jay Scroggins, who will likely get the nod to start against Gettysburg, and Brendon Maturey return.

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Clark said Maturey could play multiple positions for the Eagles this season. Scroggins threw for 1,241 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions last year. “But that experience has to be matched with improvement,” Clark said.

Bridgewater College coach Michael Clark during the Eagles’ game against Emory & Henry in 2016. (Photo Austin Bachand, Daily News-Record) don’t want to use the word rebuild, but I’ve got to reestablish the foundation.”

That includes welcoming new offensive coordinator Billy Riebock, who spent last season as a quality control coach at FBS Rice and the three prior seasons as wide receivers coach at FCS Elon.

BC ranked last in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for scoring offense (25.7 points per game) and total offense (339 yards per game) in 2017.

“You get back to some of what we had done in the past, it’s a tailbackcentric offense,” Clark said. “I’m not too proud to run the ball and shorten the game, if that’s what it’s going to take to win it.”

At running back, the Eagles graduated last season’s leading rusher, Malivai Barker, so Clark said there’s an open competition to fill the starting

Another critical position to fill on offense is the center spot, according to Clark, as former All-ODAC first-team selection Jacob Heaton graduated.

On defense, BC is built around 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior defensive end Muhammad Khan. He tallied 32 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and was third in the ODAC with two forced fumbles to be tabbed as a second-team all-league choice.

“Muhammad Khan has some accolades,” Clark said. “The other three [defensive linemen] have been role guys that have all played — Bobby Hix, Bryson Plunkett and Roger White.

But they need to become more than that.

“A year ago we made a push and played a lot of young kids on that defensive line and they were talented, but a lot of those kids aren’t back.

That’s a position we didn’t retain like we needed to, so the idea is to demand from the mature kids, at least early on, and they are going to have to establish some territory while we try to fill in behind them”

Starting linebackers Braden Thomson, Deshomd Denny and Gary Ramey all are back as is starting cornerback Davonta Womack, who represented

BC as a sprinter in the 100 at the NCAA Division III track championships in May. After their trip to Gettysburg, Pa., BC will play back-to-back weeks at home against non-conference foes Stevenson and North Carolina Wesleyan before opening the ODAC slate at Guilford on Sept. 29.

“The focus is going to be, ‘What do I have to do to be good each Saturday?’” Clark said. “That’s a balancing act, but we’re not going to talk about records, winning seasons, championships and playoffs. Even though there needs to be an end result, we’re not to that point. We’re rebasing for the long term and the focus will be on each Saturday.”

Bridgewater running back Demetreus Jalapes runs into the Randolph-Macon defense during the Eagles’ game last year. (Photo Stephen Swofford, Daily News-Record)

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Football K ick ff 2018

Football KSchedule ick ff 2018 Sept. 1 at N.C. State

Noon

Sept. 8 at Norfolk State

6:00 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Robert Morris

6:00 p.m.

Sept. 22 3:30 p.m. vs. William & Mary Sept. 29 at Richmond

3:00 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Elon

1:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Villanova

1:00 p.m.

Oct. 27 vs. Stony Brook

3:30 p.m.

Nov. 3 1:00 p.m. at New Hampshire Nov. 10 vs. Rhode Island

2:00 p.m.

Nov. 17 at Towson

2:00 p.m.

James Madison University

By GREG MADIA Daily News-Record HARRISONBURG — It was 476 days between losses.

When North Dakota State dethroned James Madison for the FCS crown in January, the Dukes suffered their first defeat in more than a calendar year — and just the second ever under coach Mike Houston. The only other one came on Sept. 17, 2016 at FBS North Carolina.

From the four-point 17-13 championship heartbreaker until this coming season’s Sept. 1 opener at N.C. State, Houston, who’s 28-2 at the school, and his squad will have waited 34 weeks to try for another victory.

“You always remember the last game,” Houston said. “So I think the feeling in our bellies and taste in our mouths this year is obviously drastically different than last year. It’s a tickedoff attitude when you think about the championship game. That’s different.”

Houston is dealing with a naturally evolving roster, too. Gone is the quarterback, Bryan Schor, a twoyear starter responsible for offensive success and helping the Dukes capture the national championship two years ago and get back to the bout last year.

All-Americans on defense — Andrew

JMU running back Trai Sharp carries the ball during practice this month. (Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

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JMU quarterback Cole Johnson winds up a pass during morning practice.

(Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

Football K ick ff 2018

JMU defensive lineman Darrious Carter warms up during practice this month. (Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

23

JMU defensive lineman Ron’Dell Carter warms up during practice. (Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

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Anrkah, Jordan Brown and Raven Greene — have graduated as well.

“I feel like we’re more hungry this year with how our season ended last year,” senior running back Trai Sharp said. “We’ve got that in the back of our head and we know what we’re capable of. We’ve got a lot of playmakers and guys that can make plays for this offense and we look forward to using them.”

The strength of the offense is with Sharp and the running game. Houston said the Dukes are making an effort to rely on their rushing attack like they did two seasons ago because of the amount of quality rushers on the roster.

The third-year coach added, despite

JMU wide receiver Riley Stapleton runs the ball during practice. (Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

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not having a senior offensive lineman, the front is probably the best it has been entering a season since he took over.

Joining Sharp in the backfield are fellow seniors Marcus Marshall and Cardon Johnson, who returns from an Achilles injury, as well as sophomores Percy Agyei-Obese and Jawon Hamilton, a Central Florida transfer.

“I’m just enjoying the game, the relationships out here, the team, the guys, my position unit and coming out each day willing to get better,” Johnson said. “And I’m pushing myself to do what I can do to contribute in any way possible.”

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JMU running back Jawon Hamilton runs the ball during morning practice.

(Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

JMU safety Wayne Davis reaches up for the ball during practice.(Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

“It’s a deep backfield and I’m blessed to be part of that. We just want to maintain an edge, stay consistent and get better each day with preseason camp and into the season.”

An efficient rushing attack should aid whoever wins the quarterback battle between Pittsburgh transfer Ben DiNucci and junior Cole Johnson.

JMU also returns junior wide receiver Riley Stapleton after he recorded 23 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns in the 2017 playoffs.

On the other side of the ball, the Dukes topped the FCS in scoring (11.1 points per game), interceptions (31) and sacks (51) last year, but are without seven starters from that group.

Senior defensive end Darrious Carter along with senior cornerbacks Rashad Robinson, Jimmy Moreland and Curtis Oliver are the only returning starters from last season.

Robinson is a preseason AllAmerican and was named to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. He had seven interceptions last year.

“In a way it’s sort of like the first year here because we’ve got some young guys and we’re starting over,” defensive coordinator Bob Trott said.

“We talk about the process and we’re into that process. We got some coming back and it’s obvious that our older guys know things, but we’ve got to get the younger guys put into place. We got some really good players to replace and that’s the stage we’re in right now.”

Junior defensive end Ron’Dell Carter moves into a starting spot after serving as a role player at both end and tackle a season ago.

The Dukes should get immediate help at free safety with Ohio State transfer Wayne Davis stepping into Greene’s old position.

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Football K ick ff 2018

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JMU cornerback Rasahd Robinson laughs with a teammate during practice this month. (Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

Football K ick ff JMU coach Mike Houston watches his team during practice.(Daniel Lin, Daily News-Record)

JMU begins the year at No. 2 in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25 and was voted to win the Colonial Athletic Association in the league’s preseason poll. The team has won their last 18 league games.

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Football K ick ff 2018

University of Virginia

Football K ick ff

2018 Schedule Sept. 1 vs. Richmond

6:00 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Indiana

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Ohio

3:00 p.m.

Sept. 22 TBA vs. Louisville Sept. 29 TBA at N.C. State

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins throws the ball during practice at UVa. (Photo Andrew Shurtleff, The Daily Progress)

Oct. 13 TBA vs. Miami Oct. 20 TBA at Duke Oct. 27 TBA vs. North Carolina Nov. 2 vs. Pittsburgh

7:30 p.m.

Nov. 10 TBA vs. Liberty Nov. 17 TBA at Georgia Tech

Nov. 23 TBA at Virginia Tech

Richmond Times-Dispatch CHARLOTTESVILLE — Nearly four years into his time as a college football player, Bryce Perkins has never started a Division I game. That will change next month.

Perkins will be Virginia’s quarterback when the Cavaliershost Richmond on Sept. 1. It’s a job he officially won after spring practice but, in reality, one that was his to lose from the moment he stepped on campus.

The former Arizona State and Arizona Western Community College player doesn’t deny there’s plenty of pressure on him at his latest destination. “Definitely, but I love it,” Perkins said. “I’ve been working my

whole career for this. It’s been a long journey for me. I believe I’m here for a purpose and I’m going to try to not let my teammates down.”

Friday, Perkins took the snaps with the first-team offense during the 30 minutes of the practice that was open to the media, running option sets with both Olamide Zaccheaus and Jordan Ellis.

Virginia had freshman Brennan Armstrong and sophomore Lindell Stone also rotating at quarterback.

Another transfer, former Rutgers guard Marcus Applefield, worked at right tackle with the first team, with sophomore Dillon Reinkensmeyer at center, junior R.J. Proctor at left guard,

senior Jay Fieler at right guard, and sophomore Chris Glaser at left tackle.

Sophomore guard/center Tyler Fannin still has his left foot in a walking boot after being injured in June and was on crutches. Offensive line coach Garett Tujague said he’s expected back “pretty soon.”

Defensively, graduate transfer end Dylan Thompson wasn’t at Friday’s practice. He’s still at Ohio State finishing up the necessary classes to graduate, coach Bronco Mendenhall said.

Mendenhall officially named Perkins the team’s starter — replacing Kurt Benkert, a senior last season and now with the Atlanta Falcons —

Football K ick ff 2018

following spring practice, but Perkins began taking the first-team practice repetitions early on. The offense has been reworked around him, morphing into a scheme reminiscent of what Mendenhall and coordinator Robert Anae ran with Taysom Hill at BYU.

Perkins’ mobility will be used both as a weapon — designed runs from his quarterback position — and an insurance policy — his ability to make positive yardage on broken plays, a particularly important capability considering the Cavaliers’ questionable offensive line.

Perkins immediately impressed his new teammates with his physical attributes — he’s considered the fastest athlete on the roster and was clocked running 22.2 miles per hour — his work habits and his demeanor.

If the pressure is mounting on Perkins as he heads to his first D-I start, he’s not letting his teammates see it.

“He’s built for this. It’s in his nature,” Zaccheaus said. “He came in and just showed out. He really performed well and I don’t think any stage is too big for him. Obviously he’s got to prove himself. He hasn’t had college experience. I’m excited to see what he can do for us.”

That Perkins has shined in offseason workouts comes as no surprise to his new strength coach. See, UVa’s Shawn Griswold is also Perkins’ old strength coach, having been at Arizona State with him for two years.

So Griswold had a good idea of what to expect. He said, back in Arizona, Perkins would come to campus starting in February of his senior year of high school to work out with Griswold.

And Griswold, hired this offseason as the Cavaliers’ strength coach, said the pressure of being the focal point of the offense won’t be too much for Perkins to handle.

“He’s a pretty even-keeled dude,” Griswold said. “He doesn’t get too high and he doesn’t get too low. If he makes a mistake, he goes on to the next play. He’s a great leader.”

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Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins runs with the ball during practice at UVa. (Photo Andrew Shurtleff, The Daily Progress)

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Virginia Tech Redshirt freshman Hendon Hooker (2) hands the ball to redshirt freshman running back Terius Wheatley (24) during practice on Aug. 6. (Photo Michael Shroyer, Special to The Roanoke Times)

2018Football Schedule

K ick

Sept. 3 at Florida State

ff

8:00 p.m.

Sept. 8 2:00 p.m. vs. William & Mary Sept. 15 12:20 p.m. vs. East Carolina Sept. 22 at Old Dominion

3:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 TBA at Duke Oct. 6 TBA vs. Notre Dame Oct. 13 TBA at North Carolina Oct. 25 vs. Georgia Tech

7:30 p.m.

Nov. 3 TBA vs. Boston College Nov. 10 TBA at Pittsburgh Nov. 17 TBA vs. Miami Nov. 23 TBA vs. Virginia

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Associated Press BLACKSBURG (AP) —Virginia Tech is spending much of fall practice working to fill some huge holes on defense.

That side of the ball has always been a strength for the Hokies under defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who faces a major overhaul. Three players left early for the NFL, three graduated and two more were dismissed during the offseason.

“Was I happy with a couple things that happened?” Foster said, referring to the dismissals of Adonis Alexander for academics and Mook Reynolds for an undisclosed violation of athletic

department policy. “No. But those are things that are out of our control. And really what we can focus on are the guys we have in our program and they want to be successful.”

Alexander, projected as a starting cornerback for the Hokies, was dismissed in early April and selected by the Washington Redskins in the supplemental draft. Reynolds, who would have been Virginia Tech’s No. 2 returning tackler, was dismissed in early July.

The Hokies had already lost linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka and cornerbacks Brandon Facyson and

Greg Stroman, all senior starters.

The also lost three other stalwarts — tackle Tim Settle, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Terrell Edmunds — when they left early for the NFL draft. The Edmunds brothers were both selected in the first round.

Virginia Tech finished 13th among FBS schools in total defense last season, 15th in rushing defense and fourth in scoring defense. With so many young players now having to step into primary roles, though, potential needs to translate into performance in a hurry.

“I do feel like we have some

Football K ick ff 2018

talented guys at a lot of spots,” Foster said. “We just don’t have the experience that we have particularly in the past, the most recent past, but I really like this group of kids.”

And they are players for whom the defensive expectations have become ingrained. “It’s a tradition,” junior defensive back Reggie Floyd, suddenly among the more experienced players on defense, said. “He’s run this defense for many years and had a lot of top guys coming through going to the league.”

The defensive questions will begin to be answered right away as the Hokies open their season against ACC rival Florida State on Monday, Sept. 3 in Tallahassee, and Foster said he’s not holding anything back.

Floyd is joined by defensive linemen Ricky Walker and Vinny Mihota as returning starters.

Foster also coaches linebackers and said he likes his group, but “we will be as green as I’ve ever been, though, starting out. You have one guy that played four or five snaps on defense in Dylan Rivers. And then Rayshard Ashby playing primarily just starting on special teams, as did Dylan. Then after that, there’s no experience.”

Head coach Justin Fuente knows

the challenge Foster faces, and has confidence in his coordinator.

“I know everybody knows this and our kids know this, but Bud’s not going to make any tackles out there,” the Hokies’ coach in his third season said. “He’s going to line them up and coach them up and he’s going to get them in the right position, but ultimately they’re going to have to take ownership of what they’re doing.”

Foster, he knows, has been down this road before and has a track record of success. “He’s been through seasons when we’ve graduated large number of guys on the defensive side of the ball and you’ve got to come back and get ready to go the next year,” Fuente said. “As a staff we’ll get them coached up and get them prepared and get them ready to go. But I guess my short answer would be, I think that’s a good thing, the belief in what we’re doing, whether it’s our defensive coordinator or our offseason program.

“Whatever it is. Believing that it works is half the battle.”

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Football K ickFreshmanffquarterback

Quincy Patterson II throws a ball during practice on Aug. 6.

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West Virginia University

Football K ick ff

2018 Schedule

Sept. 1 3:30 p.m. vs. Tennessee (in Charlotte, N.C.) Sept 8 6:00 p.m. vs. Youngtown State Sept. 15 at N.C. State

3:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 TBA vs. Kansas State

Sept. 29 TBA at Texas Tech

Oct. 6 TBA vs. Kansas

Oct. 13 TBA at Iowa State Oct. 25 vs. Baylor

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 3 TBA at Texas

Nov. 10 TBA vs. TCU

Nov. 17 TBA at Oklahoma State Nov. 23 vs. Oklahoma

8:00 p.m.

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West Virginia wide receiver Gary Jennings (12) catches a touchdown pass while being defended by Delaware State defensive back Keyjuan Selby (20) during the first half on Sept. 16, 2017, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson) Associated Press MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Wide receiver Gary Jennings had a prolific 2017 season between the end zones for West Virginia with little else to show for it.

Jennings figures his touchdown chances will improve a year after he scored just once despite amassing 97 receptions that ranked him fourth in the Bowl Subdivision. “Last year was a great season. That’s just how the ball rolls sometimes,” Jennings said. This year, “I’m definitely looking for more ways to get in the end zone.”

Jennings’ 1,096 receiving yards in his first full season as a starter led the Mountaineers and were the sixth most in school history.

The 6-foot-2 Jennings enters his senior season with just four career TDs. His lone touchdown in 2017 came in the season opener against Virginia Tech, when he had 13 catches for 189 yards.

Jennings matched those 13 catches against Kansas State but surpassed 100 yards receiving just three times over the final 12 games.

The Mountaineers struggled in their last three games on offense after

quarterback Will Grier went down with a broken finger.

Jennings isn’t the type of player to show his frustrations about his lack of scoring. He certainly doesn’t feel that there was a lack of luck on his side, although he has a right to feel that way.

Teammate David Sills IV caught 18 TDs a year ago as a junior and was named a second-team all-American, while senior Ka’Raun White had 12 scoring catches.

“That’s just how it happens sometimes,” Jennings said. “I just have to have a little more drive to get in there. I think it’s more from a scheme

Football K ick ff 2018

Football K ick ff West Virginia wide receiver Gary Jennings speaks with the media on Aug. 6 in Morgantown, W.Va. Jennings was fourth in the Bowl Subdivision with 97 receptions last season. But he had only one touchdown catch and is looking for more this season.

(AP Photo/John Raby)

standpoint just being able to put myself in a better position to score.”

Grier points out that Jennings got tackled inside the 5-yard line “quite a bit.” “We tell him all the time ‘just find a way to cross that line.’ And he will,” Grier said. “It’s only a matter of timing.

He scores in practice. He’ll find a way to get into the end zone in games as well.”

As an inside receiver, Jennings benefited from teams focusing more on White and the 6-4 Sills, especially on third downs when Jennings had a teamhigh 18 catches, converting 15 of those for first downs.

“Gary was great for us last year. He made very tough catches,” Sills said. “I think we complimented each other very well. We’re pushing each other, trying to get each other better. We’re all happy if there’s a touchdown at the end of the drive. And I’m happy when he’s getting conversions.”

With more receivers in the mix, West Virginia opens the season Sept.

1 against Tennessee in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Mountaineers have added Alabama transfer T.J. Simmons, who played on special teams for the Crimson Tide in 2016 as a freshman.

West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital wants all of his receivers to be able to deliver in the high-scoring Big 12. “That’s kind of been the ongoing joke around the locker room — Gary has a million catches and one touchdown,” Spavital said Tuesday.

“And then yesterday in practice he does a remarkable play and he goes out on the half-yard line.

“That is an emphasis: We need guys to score touchdowns. David Sills has a great ability to find his way into the end zone. We need to find some of those other guys that can go out there and score when they get the ball.”

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