Week 2 Player Performances
This week we had our first full slate of games and what a Friday night of action we had. Tons of worthy efforts were put in across the land including some last minute heroics. Let's take a look at the best of the best.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Run Gamers
Gemonta Jackson, Petersburg
The ODU-committ had a big game on Friday night for the Crimson Wave. In their second game of the season, Jackson accounted for two touchdowns as the Crimson Wave got their first win of the season after being blanked the week before. Jackson rushed for 129 yards on just six carries and scored twice for the Wave.
Dakari Wilson, Dinwiddie
Dakari Wilson was one of the few returning players from the state championship team and after coming out on the losing end last week, you knew the Generals were due for a big game. They did not disappoint and neither did Wilson. In a 52-0 win over Jamestown, Dakari Wilson ran the ball most effectively with 141 yards on the ground on 19 carries and finding the endzone three times!
Max Hardcastle, Cosby
Cosby just got by Thomas Dale last week in their season opener but any doubts about how good they could be might have been put to rest through the run game on Friday night. Max Hardcastle made his presence known with almost200 yards on the ground on 15 carries. More importantly, he scored three times as the Titans beat Matoaca 44-36.
Passing Gamers
Rashad Harris, Atlee
Over the past few years one thing has become clear, Atlee knows how to find quarterbacks. On Friday night, their latest leader on offense On Friday night Harris helped lead the Raiders to a 63-20 win over Deep Run. In that win he was 25 of 40, passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the air. If the past few seasons are any indication, Harris could be in line for a strong season.
Juwan Carter, Highland Springs
There was some doubt about the Springers on offense with departure of DJ Johnson but Carter is giving the Springers a lot to cheer about. On Friday night, as the Springers moved to 2-0 to start the season, Carter had just one interception as opposed to the three the week before, he also threw three touchdowns and was 11 of 19 for 250 yards. Springers could be in for a big season with Carter's play at quarterback.
Maliki Gurley, Prince George
The Royals are one of those teams I thought could have a breakthrough season but to do so they needed a leader at quarterback and Gurley answered that question on Friday night. In a win over Clover Hill, the Royals quarterback threw for 355 yards! He was 14 of 25 passing five touchdowns on Friday night accounting for all of the Royals touchdowns. I'm sure we have not heard the last of Gurley.
Receiving Gamers
Tyler Wilkins, LC Bird
The JMU commit is better known for his defense rather than his offense but Wilkins had a solid night on offense for the Skyhawks on Friday night. Wilkins might not have been able to find the endzone but he did have eight receptions for 104 yards on Friday night in a 20-15 win over rival Thomas Dale in the "Battle of Chester". I'm sure this won't be the last time we see Wilkins have a big game.
Felton Davis, Highland Springs
While Juwan had a big night throwing the ball for the Springers, the Michigan State commit Davis had a solid night himself. Felton was on the receiving end of three passes from Juwan for 126 yards and one touchdown as the Springers rolled to victory. Davis continues to prove why he's a playmaker.
Montae Bradshaw, Prince George
On Friday night the Royals scored five touchdowns in beating Clover Hill 35-21. All of the Royals touchdowns came through the air and on the receiving end of five of those passes was Montae Bradshaw. Bradshaw came through with five receptions for 123 yards but more importantly, two of those five receptions he scored on. Bradshaw backups why he is one of the players to keep an eye on this season.
Defensive Gamers
Nygel Chavis & Kyle Jacobs, Armstrong
Normally I don't award duos but in this case I will. The Wildcats defeated the Thomas Jefferson Vikings on Friday night 43-6 in large part to the defense. Chavis & Jacobs combined for six sacks and 24 tackles against the Vikings! Hard to get any offense going when you have those two coming after you.
Dominic Elyarado, Douglas Freeman
In a big early matchup of undefeated teams, the Rebels Elyarado made his presence felt when he intercepted two James River passes from Cameron Green. Those two interceptions were huge considering the Rebels held on to win 17-13.
Tyler Leyden, Monacan
The Chiefs, one of the surprises to start the 2014 season continue to shine and their defense has as much to do with that as any part of the game. On Friday night against Mills Godwin, Leyden seemed to be able to do it all. Leyden had eight tackles, two of which were for losses. If that were not enough, he blocked two punts and returned a fumble for a touchdown!
Special Teams Gamers
Marshall Flippin, Hanover
In a defensive battle and the Hawks just holding onto a 6-0 lead, Marshall Flippin came through for the Hawks in the third quarter with a 25-yard field goal to make it a two score game. Tack on a PAT in the fourth quarter and it was not a bad start to the season for this young man.
Andrew Ryan, Douglas Freeman
In a game decided upon by just four points, Ryan did his part earning his way on to the list for a second straight week. Ryan came through with two PAT's in addition to his 32-yard field goal in the third quarter that extended the Rebels lead. Accounting for five points, Ryan certainly did his part in the four point win.
Dante Coleman, Glen Allen
In the fourth quarter, down big to the Tucker Tigers the Jaguars could have easily thrown in the towel and given up but Dante Coleman wasn't about to give up. On Friday night Coleman got the Jaguars on the board with their only score. On a kick return, Coleman raced 95 yards for a touchdown to end the shutout and give his team something to cheer about.
All-Puprose Gamers
Jalen Elliott, LC Bird
Jalen had a huge night on Friday night in his first game as a Skyhawk, in his first "Battle of Chester". Elliott, a dual threat quarterback rushed for just 47 yards on 11 carries but did score a touchdown on the ground. There was no bigger touchdown however than the 43-yard touchdown he threw as time expired to give the Skyhawks the comeback win and save their win streak. For the night, Elliott finished 12 of 22 for 190 yards passing and one touchdown but that one touchdown proved to be the biggest.
Ricky Lewis, Mills Godwin
Despite a loss to the Monacan Chiefs, the Godwin Eagles never game up and neither did Ricky Lewis. Ricky was on the receiving end of 11 passes on Friday night and totaled 108 receiving yards in doing so plus a touchdown. Ricky wasn't done there though; he also returned a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown! Lewis shows why he is one to watch this season.
Greg Dortch, Highland Springs
Greg Dortch continues to make his presence felt for the Springers. On Friday night against Brooke Point Dortch caught three passes for a total of 86 yards and took two of those three passes into the endzone. Dortch also got it done on the ground scoring the first touchdown of the night on a 14-yard run for the Springers. Dortch continues to be one of many bright spots early on for the Springers.
EXTRA POINTS
Hats off to UVA and Virginia Tech on Saturday. While I thought the Cavaliers could win, I did not think they would do so in such convincing fashion. It remains to be seen how the season will play out especially once UVA gets into ACC play but is clear that the team appears to be better than last season. As for Tech, I would not have imagined that they would play as well as they did against the Buckeyes, let alone beat them. This team reminds me of the Hokie teams of old when they were winning 10 or more games a season and contending for ACC titles.
Speaking of the Hokies game on Saturday night, how about Curtis Grant, formerly of Hermitage and now a Buckeye and Sam Rogers, formerly of Hanover and now a Hokie getting some TV exposure and making plays for both teams. Always great to see local products doing well on bigger stages.
Speaking of local products on bigger stages, Russell Wilson and his Seattle Seahawks continue to shine on the big stage by thumping the Packers Thursday night in the NFL opener. I do not have the Seahawks winning the Superbowl, it's so difficult to repeat these days but after that performance the other night, maybe I should have. The Seahawks look like they are picking up where they left off last season and that could be scary for the rest of the NFL.
This week we had our first full slate of games and what a Friday night of action we had. Tons of worthy efforts were put in across the land including some last minute heroics. Let's take a look at the best of the best.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Run Gamers
Gemonta Jackson, Petersburg
The ODU-committ had a big game on Friday night for the Crimson Wave. In their second game of the season, Jackson accounted for two touchdowns as the Crimson Wave got their first win of the season after being blanked the week before. Jackson rushed for 129 yards on just six carries and scored twice for the Wave.
Dakari Wilson, Dinwiddie
Dakari Wilson was one of the few returning players from the state championship team and after coming out on the losing end last week, you knew the Generals were due for a big game. They did not disappoint and neither did Wilson. In a 52-0 win over Jamestown, Dakari Wilson ran the ball most effectively with 141 yards on the ground on 19 carries and finding the endzone three times!
Max Hardcastle, Cosby
Cosby just got by Thomas Dale last week in their season opener but any doubts about how good they could be might have been put to rest through the run game on Friday night. Max Hardcastle made his presence known with almost200 yards on the ground on 15 carries. More importantly, he scored three times as the Titans beat Matoaca 44-36.
Passing Gamers
Rashad Harris, Atlee
Over the past few years one thing has become clear, Atlee knows how to find quarterbacks. On Friday night, their latest leader on offense On Friday night Harris helped lead the Raiders to a 63-20 win over Deep Run. In that win he was 25 of 40, passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the air. If the past few seasons are any indication, Harris could be in line for a strong season.
Juwan Carter, Highland Springs
There was some doubt about the Springers on offense with departure of DJ Johnson but Carter is giving the Springers a lot to cheer about. On Friday night, as the Springers moved to 2-0 to start the season, Carter had just one interception as opposed to the three the week before, he also threw three touchdowns and was 11 of 19 for 250 yards. Springers could be in for a big season with Carter's play at quarterback.
Maliki Gurley, Prince George
The Royals are one of those teams I thought could have a breakthrough season but to do so they needed a leader at quarterback and Gurley answered that question on Friday night. In a win over Clover Hill, the Royals quarterback threw for 355 yards! He was 14 of 25 passing five touchdowns on Friday night accounting for all of the Royals touchdowns. I'm sure we have not heard the last of Gurley.
Receiving Gamers
Tyler Wilkins, LC Bird
The JMU commit is better known for his defense rather than his offense but Wilkins had a solid night on offense for the Skyhawks on Friday night. Wilkins might not have been able to find the endzone but he did have eight receptions for 104 yards on Friday night in a 20-15 win over rival Thomas Dale in the "Battle of Chester". I'm sure this won't be the last time we see Wilkins have a big game.
Felton Davis, Highland Springs
While Juwan had a big night throwing the ball for the Springers, the Michigan State commit Davis had a solid night himself. Felton was on the receiving end of three passes from Juwan for 126 yards and one touchdown as the Springers rolled to victory. Davis continues to prove why he's a playmaker.
Montae Bradshaw, Prince George
On Friday night the Royals scored five touchdowns in beating Clover Hill 35-21. All of the Royals touchdowns came through the air and on the receiving end of five of those passes was Montae Bradshaw. Bradshaw came through with five receptions for 123 yards but more importantly, two of those five receptions he scored on. Bradshaw backups why he is one of the players to keep an eye on this season.
Defensive Gamers
Nygel Chavis & Kyle Jacobs, Armstrong
Normally I don't award duos but in this case I will. The Wildcats defeated the Thomas Jefferson Vikings on Friday night 43-6 in large part to the defense. Chavis & Jacobs combined for six sacks and 24 tackles against the Vikings! Hard to get any offense going when you have those two coming after you.
Dominic Elyarado, Douglas Freeman
In a big early matchup of undefeated teams, the Rebels Elyarado made his presence felt when he intercepted two James River passes from Cameron Green. Those two interceptions were huge considering the Rebels held on to win 17-13.
Tyler Leyden, Monacan
The Chiefs, one of the surprises to start the 2014 season continue to shine and their defense has as much to do with that as any part of the game. On Friday night against Mills Godwin, Leyden seemed to be able to do it all. Leyden had eight tackles, two of which were for losses. If that were not enough, he blocked two punts and returned a fumble for a touchdown!
Special Teams Gamers
Marshall Flippin, Hanover
In a defensive battle and the Hawks just holding onto a 6-0 lead, Marshall Flippin came through for the Hawks in the third quarter with a 25-yard field goal to make it a two score game. Tack on a PAT in the fourth quarter and it was not a bad start to the season for this young man.
Andrew Ryan, Douglas Freeman
In a game decided upon by just four points, Ryan did his part earning his way on to the list for a second straight week. Ryan came through with two PAT's in addition to his 32-yard field goal in the third quarter that extended the Rebels lead. Accounting for five points, Ryan certainly did his part in the four point win.
Dante Coleman, Glen Allen
In the fourth quarter, down big to the Tucker Tigers the Jaguars could have easily thrown in the towel and given up but Dante Coleman wasn't about to give up. On Friday night Coleman got the Jaguars on the board with their only score. On a kick return, Coleman raced 95 yards for a touchdown to end the shutout and give his team something to cheer about.
All-Puprose Gamers
Jalen Elliott, LC Bird
Jalen had a huge night on Friday night in his first game as a Skyhawk, in his first "Battle of Chester". Elliott, a dual threat quarterback rushed for just 47 yards on 11 carries but did score a touchdown on the ground. There was no bigger touchdown however than the 43-yard touchdown he threw as time expired to give the Skyhawks the comeback win and save their win streak. For the night, Elliott finished 12 of 22 for 190 yards passing and one touchdown but that one touchdown proved to be the biggest.
Ricky Lewis, Mills Godwin
Despite a loss to the Monacan Chiefs, the Godwin Eagles never game up and neither did Ricky Lewis. Ricky was on the receiving end of 11 passes on Friday night and totaled 108 receiving yards in doing so plus a touchdown. Ricky wasn't done there though; he also returned a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown! Lewis shows why he is one to watch this season.
Greg Dortch, Highland Springs
Greg Dortch continues to make his presence felt for the Springers. On Friday night against Brooke Point Dortch caught three passes for a total of 86 yards and took two of those three passes into the endzone. Dortch also got it done on the ground scoring the first touchdown of the night on a 14-yard run for the Springers. Dortch continues to be one of many bright spots early on for the Springers.
EXTRA POINTS
Hats off to UVA and Virginia Tech on Saturday. While I thought the Cavaliers could win, I did not think they would do so in such convincing fashion. It remains to be seen how the season will play out especially once UVA gets into ACC play but is clear that the team appears to be better than last season. As for Tech, I would not have imagined that they would play as well as they did against the Buckeyes, let alone beat them. This team reminds me of the Hokie teams of old when they were winning 10 or more games a season and contending for ACC titles.
Speaking of the Hokies game on Saturday night, how about Curtis Grant, formerly of Hermitage and now a Buckeye and Sam Rogers, formerly of Hanover and now a Hokie getting some TV exposure and making plays for both teams. Always great to see local products doing well on bigger stages.
Speaking of local products on bigger stages, Russell Wilson and his Seattle Seahawks continue to shine on the big stage by thumping the Packers Thursday night in the NFL opener. I do not have the Seahawks winning the Superbowl, it's so difficult to repeat these days but after that performance the other night, maybe I should have. The Seahawks look like they are picking up where they left off last season and that could be scary for the rest of the NFL.
