Essex did lose some well-known players from last season. Those guys really contributed to the rejuvenation of the program. Most teams would struggle after losing so many players, especially at the 1A level, but Essex is a different beast. The next guy up mentality is back, and they have some guys that will soon be very well known players around the state. If they can stay somewhat healthy by playoff time, they will be a major force to reckon with. Lamar Lucas is a really good football player/RB, and I wonder how hard he worked this offseason to take the beating he will have to endure this season? Martin will not have the numbers to compare because of Essex schedule and how many weapons they will have, but he doesn't even look like the same player. He has put on so much muscle while staying fast and agile. He is ready to carry the load for Essex and should receive major attention from defenses and colleges this season. O-line will be strong and fast, wideouts will be better with that extra year under their belts, Nelson is ready to run the team at QB, Monroe should make plenty of plays from different positions, not to mention they have a freshman group moving up that could be even more talented of a class then the one they just graduated if they continue to work hard. Leading that freshman class is a RB who is 6'2 225 lbs. and will be one of the fastest guys on the field. Defensively they should have a shutdown secondary and an enormous D-line. So not bad for Essex....
W&L lost their QB, but Bell should step right up and be great. He might not be quite the runner, but a better passer. He is a heck of a baseball player (SS/P) and more than capable of running since he played safety last season. Their O-line was rather young last season, so they should mostly be back and stronger and understand Todd Jones blocking schemes even better. Sumiel is one of the most dynamic players in 1A, and defenses will have to know where he is at all times. With Todd Jones, they should be more than fine, and a team you won't want to see in the playoffs.
The Beach will have some holes to fill, but they still have Lucas and I believe Turner back. The single wing can pound any team down. It doesn't matter who they slot in at the next level since these kids run this system since they were 5 years old. They put in a lot of wrinkles to the single wing last year, and Lucas can really throw the football when they want to do it. That makes them 2 dimensional and extremely dangerous, as long as they can stay healthy. Every team has to stay healthy, but they have very few subs because they have very few students.
Rappahannock returns their QB who got some valuable time last season when their starter blew out his knee mid-season. They should still have a good O-line and D-line, with some scat backs to match. They will be a force again this season.
Northumberland has a new coach with some serious background in football. He had a rally for the community and got everyone excited. They have some talent and could be on the rise again.
Lancaster will have skills and will be a tough early season match up. They know how to score and they keep harping on getting the defense to the level of the offense. They have been plagued by the injury bug, but I know they are hoping that will change.
Just my 2 cents...
