Lee not ready to surrender to two-time state champs
Patrick Hite, phite@newsleader.comPublished 3:59 p.m. ET Dec. 8, 2017
When Scott Girolmo steps on the field at Salem Stadium Sunday afternoon, it won't be his first time participating in a state championship game.
As a student teacher, Girolmo was an assistant girls basketball coach for New York's Honeoye Falls–Lima High School. The Cougars lost in the finals that season.
The third-year Robert E. Lee football coach gets to return to a state championship Sunday when his Leemen take on Appomattox for the Class 2 title, a game that was postponed from Saturday because of weather.
R.E. Lee head coach Scott Girolmo talks with players during a timeout in the State Group 2A Semi-Final game against Poquoson High School on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Staunton.(Photo: Holly Marcus/Special to The News Leader)
The closest he's gotten in football was as the offensive coordinator with Liberty-Bealeton in 2014, when his team lost, of all places, at Salem in the state semifinals.
But now, Girolmo is the head coach heading back to Salem with a chance to give Lee High its first ever state championship game win, and just the second state title in school history. The 1963 Lee High team was voted by sportswriters as state champion.
It's a brand new experience for Girolmo. He has been a popular man this week, with phone calls from members of the media and college coaches. The word Girolmo used to describe all the activity surrounding the game was "frenzy."
Blocking out the noise has been a challenge for the coach this week, but he said his colleagues at Lee have pitched in and helped him. And once he's on the field for practice, things seem normal again.
"When the last bell rings and we go out to practice, it feels like a typical day," Girolmo said.
Appomattox Omar Bailey long touchdown run in the first quarter of the 2A Region C championship playoff game against Glenvar.(Photo: Courtesy John Wimmer/The Roanoke Times)
It's pretty crazy for his opponent also, but, unlike Girolmo, it's not new for Appomattox coach Doug Smith. The Raiders are playing in their third straight state championship game, having won the Class 2 titles in 2015 and 2016.
"I definitely think it makes it easier to get ready," Smith said. "But the bottom line is, when they're on the field, it's not really going to matter, what happened before that. It's going to be, 'What is our focus now?'"
Appomattox has been a beast in Class 2 the past three seasons. From 2015 through this season they put together a 32-game winning streak, one that was snapped on Sept. 8 by Heritage-Lynchburg, a team that is playing for the Class 3 title against Hopewell on Sunday.
The Raiders have won 11 games in a row since that loss, most by a comfortable margin. That wasn't the case last week, as Appomattox had to hold off Union 23-20 on the road to advance to the championship.
Once his team got past Union, Smith started studying the Leemen. He's impressed with what he's seen.
"It's not a mistake that they're there," Smith said. "They're doing the right things. They definitely pay close attention to small detail because the kids are doing their assignments, they're doing it well."
Lee quarterback Jayden Williams has thrown for 2,261 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. His main targets have been Tre Simmons (31 receptions, 616 yards, seven touchdowns), Kavon Robertson (26 receptions, 436 yards, nine touchdowns) and Ta Strother (21 receptions, 327 yards, two touchdowns).
R.E. Lee quarterback Jayden Williams dodges Poquoson's Robert Henesey during the State Group 2A Semi-Final game against Poquoson High School on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Staunton.(Photo: Holly Marcus/Special to The News Leader)
Williams is also the team's leading rusher with 1,106 yards, averaging 9.6 a carry. He has 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Robertson has added 907 yards rushing, while Devin Williams has 893 yards and Lawler has 503 yards. The three have combined for 26 touchdowns.
Lee is averaging 43 points a game.
The Raiders defense tasked with stopping those Leemen is a physical and fast unit. It's led by linebackers Drew Mann and Daniel Baldwin.
"I'm expecting a pressure defense that runs to the ball relentlessly," Girolmo said of Appomattox's defense. "They have a very physical nature when they arrive."
Girolmo's team has focused a lot on pass protection this week. The coach said Poquoson, Lee's semifinal opponent, brought a tremendous amount of pressure and caused Lee some problems.
"We made quite a few mental errors," Girolmo said.
Lee has also worked on better communication in the run game. He wants to use the H-back and option game more efficiently.
Williams is also the team's leading rusher with 1,106 yards, averaging 9.6 a carry. He has 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Robertson has added 907 yards rushing, while Devin Williams has 893 yards and Lawler has 503 yards. The three have combined for 26 touchdowns.
Lee is averaging 43 points a game.
The Raiders defense tasked with stopping those Leemen is a physical and fast unit. It's led by linebackers Drew Mann and Daniel Baldwin.
"I'm expecting a pressure defense that runs to the ball relentlessly," Girolmo said of Appomattox's defense. "They have a very physical nature when they arrive."
Girolmo's team has focused a lot on pass protection this week. The coach said Poquoson, Lee's semifinal opponent, brought a tremendous amount of pressure and caused Lee some problems.
"We made quite a few mental errors," Girolmo said.
Lee has also worked on better communication in the run game. He wants to use the H-back and option game more efficiently.
Javon Scruggs, who has committed to play college ball at Liberty, is Appomattox's senior quarterback. He has thrown for more than 1,700 yards and rushed for over 1,000 this season.
"He's just an outstanding leader," Smith said.
Appomattox's Devin Dews (2) hauls in a pass in the first quarter of the 2A Region C championship playoff game against Glenvar.(Photo: Courtesy John Wimmer/The Roanoke Times)
His usual target when throwing the ball is De'Von Graves, who will play next season at North Carolina State. Receiver Devin Dews is also a big weapon for the Raiders. And Omar Bailey leads the rushing attack with 1,376 yards on the ground, for 8.8 yards per carry.
Smith did say the offensive line was inexperienced to start the season, but has improved throughout the year.
Lee's defense was giving up 25.6 points a game in the first seven games, but in the final seven games that average had dropped to 15.3.
"I've seen pretty solid angles in our pursuit," Girolmo said of the difference from the first half of the year. "And I've seen exceptional tackling. The ability to get runners on the ground, even after gains. I think that has made a world of difference."
Lee's defense is led by linebacker Dylan Culpen, who has 83.5 tackles, while end Tavion Hall has 56 tackles and a team-high 6.5 sacks. Meanwhile, safety Patrick Cabell has 44 tackles and Lawler has 43 at linebacker. Lawler also has 10.5 tackles for a loss this season.
R.E. Lee's Jaymond Venable Chisley prepares for a play on the defensive line during the State Group 2A Semi-Final game against Poquoson High School on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Staunton.(Photo: Holly Marcus/Special to The News Leader)
Girolmo knows Sunday's game won't be easy, especially defending the potent passing attack of the Raiders. He wants to see his players step up to that challenge.
"Not back down in the face of Division 1 talent and everybody else telling them that they're going to get smoked," Girolmo said of what he hopes to see from the Leemen. "I'd like to see a group that has a chip on their shoulder on the back end and says, 'You can throw it all you want, but you're not necessarily going to complete it, or if you do we're going to rally and tackle that thing.' Not guys that are going to back down from this wonderful challenge that we've got in front of us."
Patrick Hite, phite@newsleader.comPublished 3:59 p.m. ET Dec. 8, 2017
When Scott Girolmo steps on the field at Salem Stadium Sunday afternoon, it won't be his first time participating in a state championship game.
As a student teacher, Girolmo was an assistant girls basketball coach for New York's Honeoye Falls–Lima High School. The Cougars lost in the finals that season.
The third-year Robert E. Lee football coach gets to return to a state championship Sunday when his Leemen take on Appomattox for the Class 2 title, a game that was postponed from Saturday because of weather.
R.E. Lee head coach Scott Girolmo talks with players during a timeout in the State Group 2A Semi-Final game against Poquoson High School on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Staunton.(Photo: Holly Marcus/Special to The News Leader)
The closest he's gotten in football was as the offensive coordinator with Liberty-Bealeton in 2014, when his team lost, of all places, at Salem in the state semifinals.
But now, Girolmo is the head coach heading back to Salem with a chance to give Lee High its first ever state championship game win, and just the second state title in school history. The 1963 Lee High team was voted by sportswriters as state champion.
It's a brand new experience for Girolmo. He has been a popular man this week, with phone calls from members of the media and college coaches. The word Girolmo used to describe all the activity surrounding the game was "frenzy."
Blocking out the noise has been a challenge for the coach this week, but he said his colleagues at Lee have pitched in and helped him. And once he's on the field for practice, things seem normal again.
"When the last bell rings and we go out to practice, it feels like a typical day," Girolmo said.
Appomattox Omar Bailey long touchdown run in the first quarter of the 2A Region C championship playoff game against Glenvar.(Photo: Courtesy John Wimmer/The Roanoke Times)
It's pretty crazy for his opponent also, but, unlike Girolmo, it's not new for Appomattox coach Doug Smith. The Raiders are playing in their third straight state championship game, having won the Class 2 titles in 2015 and 2016.
"I definitely think it makes it easier to get ready," Smith said. "But the bottom line is, when they're on the field, it's not really going to matter, what happened before that. It's going to be, 'What is our focus now?'"
Appomattox has been a beast in Class 2 the past three seasons. From 2015 through this season they put together a 32-game winning streak, one that was snapped on Sept. 8 by Heritage-Lynchburg, a team that is playing for the Class 3 title against Hopewell on Sunday.
The Raiders have won 11 games in a row since that loss, most by a comfortable margin. That wasn't the case last week, as Appomattox had to hold off Union 23-20 on the road to advance to the championship.
Once his team got past Union, Smith started studying the Leemen. He's impressed with what he's seen.
"It's not a mistake that they're there," Smith said. "They're doing the right things. They definitely pay close attention to small detail because the kids are doing their assignments, they're doing it well."
Lee quarterback Jayden Williams has thrown for 2,261 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. His main targets have been Tre Simmons (31 receptions, 616 yards, seven touchdowns), Kavon Robertson (26 receptions, 436 yards, nine touchdowns) and Ta Strother (21 receptions, 327 yards, two touchdowns).
R.E. Lee quarterback Jayden Williams dodges Poquoson's Robert Henesey during the State Group 2A Semi-Final game against Poquoson High School on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Staunton.(Photo: Holly Marcus/Special to The News Leader)
Williams is also the team's leading rusher with 1,106 yards, averaging 9.6 a carry. He has 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Robertson has added 907 yards rushing, while Devin Williams has 893 yards and Lawler has 503 yards. The three have combined for 26 touchdowns.
Lee is averaging 43 points a game.
The Raiders defense tasked with stopping those Leemen is a physical and fast unit. It's led by linebackers Drew Mann and Daniel Baldwin.
"I'm expecting a pressure defense that runs to the ball relentlessly," Girolmo said of Appomattox's defense. "They have a very physical nature when they arrive."
Girolmo's team has focused a lot on pass protection this week. The coach said Poquoson, Lee's semifinal opponent, brought a tremendous amount of pressure and caused Lee some problems.
"We made quite a few mental errors," Girolmo said.
Lee has also worked on better communication in the run game. He wants to use the H-back and option game more efficiently.
Williams is also the team's leading rusher with 1,106 yards, averaging 9.6 a carry. He has 22 touchdowns on the ground.
Robertson has added 907 yards rushing, while Devin Williams has 893 yards and Lawler has 503 yards. The three have combined for 26 touchdowns.
Lee is averaging 43 points a game.
The Raiders defense tasked with stopping those Leemen is a physical and fast unit. It's led by linebackers Drew Mann and Daniel Baldwin.
"I'm expecting a pressure defense that runs to the ball relentlessly," Girolmo said of Appomattox's defense. "They have a very physical nature when they arrive."
Girolmo's team has focused a lot on pass protection this week. The coach said Poquoson, Lee's semifinal opponent, brought a tremendous amount of pressure and caused Lee some problems.
"We made quite a few mental errors," Girolmo said.
Lee has also worked on better communication in the run game. He wants to use the H-back and option game more efficiently.
Javon Scruggs, who has committed to play college ball at Liberty, is Appomattox's senior quarterback. He has thrown for more than 1,700 yards and rushed for over 1,000 this season.
"He's just an outstanding leader," Smith said.
Appomattox's Devin Dews (2) hauls in a pass in the first quarter of the 2A Region C championship playoff game against Glenvar.(Photo: Courtesy John Wimmer/The Roanoke Times)
His usual target when throwing the ball is De'Von Graves, who will play next season at North Carolina State. Receiver Devin Dews is also a big weapon for the Raiders. And Omar Bailey leads the rushing attack with 1,376 yards on the ground, for 8.8 yards per carry.
Smith did say the offensive line was inexperienced to start the season, but has improved throughout the year.
Lee's defense was giving up 25.6 points a game in the first seven games, but in the final seven games that average had dropped to 15.3.
"I've seen pretty solid angles in our pursuit," Girolmo said of the difference from the first half of the year. "And I've seen exceptional tackling. The ability to get runners on the ground, even after gains. I think that has made a world of difference."
Lee's defense is led by linebacker Dylan Culpen, who has 83.5 tackles, while end Tavion Hall has 56 tackles and a team-high 6.5 sacks. Meanwhile, safety Patrick Cabell has 44 tackles and Lawler has 43 at linebacker. Lawler also has 10.5 tackles for a loss this season.
R.E. Lee's Jaymond Venable Chisley prepares for a play on the defensive line during the State Group 2A Semi-Final game against Poquoson High School on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 in Staunton.(Photo: Holly Marcus/Special to The News Leader)
Girolmo knows Sunday's game won't be easy, especially defending the potent passing attack of the Raiders. He wants to see his players step up to that challenge.
"Not back down in the face of Division 1 talent and everybody else telling them that they're going to get smoked," Girolmo said of what he hopes to see from the Leemen. "I'd like to see a group that has a chip on their shoulder on the back end and says, 'You can throw it all you want, but you're not necessarily going to complete it, or if you do we're going to rally and tackle that thing.' Not guys that are going to back down from this wonderful challenge that we've got in front of us."
