The time has finally come to get back to playing football like we are use to doing! The perception of starting back where we left off maybe tough for some, quite easy for others, and unfortunately not possible for some. Several teams will come in rejuvenated and looking to commit for a state playoff berth and title. We will take a quick glance at the districts and who you should make plans on seeing deep into November and beyond.
TIDEWATER DISTRICT
In the spring West Point was the most successful making it to the state semi-finals. The Pointers were even competitive with the 5x straight class 1 champion Riverheads for a quarter and half before the Gladiators wore them down. One thing is for sure, the Pointers have plenty of confidence going into the season. Expect Kahlil Norris to lead the offense at quarterback and expect Coach L.C. Briggs and crew to be in the post season making some noise again.
King & Queen Central has been working hard to ready themselves versus a tough schedule. The Tigers have the talent to play with anyone but depth and staying healthy will be more important this season like it will be for many other teams as well. Coach Dylan DeHart in his second season will be led by the most elusive class 1 quarterback in Malik Holmes. Kam Berry should be solid at running back and their receiving core will not be a side note. Getting better defensive play will be the focus and that will be test game 1 versus Colonial Beach.
The team that has championship expectations are the Cavaliers of King William. Led by one of the best running backs in the state in Demond Claiborne, the Cavaliers will be in the mix if they can get by Nottoway. Jayveon Robinson has a sensational arm and will toast the defenses falling in aw of Claiborne. Coach Scott Moore's group has a schedule that can outpoint the competition to host in the post season if they can win out.
Mathews is looking to be improved and Middlesex will be battling to climb in the standings. Charles City wasn't able to field a team this season due to low turnout and we hope to see them in 2022.
PREDICTED FINISH
1. King William
2. King & Queen
3. West Point
4. Mathews
5. Middlesex
NORTHERN NECK
Essex has been in control of the Northern Neck for a while now and they don't expect to turnover the keys to the district quite yet. Coach Todd Jones will be hoping to see them bounce back from their year off and see if Essex can make plans for a deep march. Our eyes will be on running back Dorian Harris (6 ft 1, 205 pounds) has gain comparisons to the Trojan's Lamar Stewart. If Harris is in that category Coach Jones and company will be quite pleased. Kam Robinson is projected to lead the receiving group while the defense is expected to be quick and aggressive.
The biggest challenge to the throne is expected to come from Northumberland. The Indians will be led by one of the nation's top players. Yes the nation. Cameron Seldon who should be used in several different ways offensively to give them a big spark in production. Denzell Palmer is expected to lead at quarterback but the Indians obstacle will be on defense and can they show more improvement.
Washington & Lee is expected to be improved as well. They will be tested immediately when they travel down to West Point. The Eagles are expected to have good depth which could go a long way this season. Their neighbors Colonial Beach will be trying to get into the swing of things as their offense is a major x-factor. Expect plenty of production from the Drifter's Josh Powell. Rappahannock will be reloading while Lancaster will have some athletes but depth continues to hamper their quest for success.
PREDICTED FINISH
1. Essex
2. Northumberland
3. Washington & Lee
4. Colonial Beach
5. Rappahannock
6. Lancaster
TRI-RIVERS
Greensville County was supposed to be competing with the likes of Appomattox and others for a title in 2020 but covid derailed those plans. Their group loses a few guys but still return several to make them a threat. Quarterback Jayden White enters his Senior season along with their leading rusher Kendell Blue who is a powerful runner. Getting the passing game up to par could determine if they can challenge Nottoway and King William for the region title.
Sussex Central comes off of their year off looking to get to pre-pandemic level of play. The Tigers may not have as much depth in the past but they are hunger to succeed. Senior Tyson Garrett is expected to led the squad in production on both sides of the ball. Jaylin Prosise should give the team an experienced breakaway back as head coach Curtis Jefferson looks to be another winning season under his belt.
Southampton comes in having played a few games in the spring. Running back Jimmie Reid (6 ft 265 pounds) will be pounding defenders in the ground game. Dequan Boone (6 ft 7, 280 pounds) will be attacking on the defensive line to lead the Indians. Passing and defending the pass will continue to be the biggest obstacle for Southampton. Close games should tilt in favor Coach Travis Parker's crew.
The Brunswick Bulldogs are expected to be in the middle of the district pack as Jaheim Hicks should lead the Bulldogs rushing attack. Franklin is transition to a more wide open offensive approach. Surry County will feather Anthony Tynes who will help land a few victories. Windsor will need to develop confidence and consistency to get in the win column. Park View has had the biggest fall off and expectations aren't high.
PREDICTED FINISH
1. Sussex Central
2. Greensville County
3. Southampton
4. Brunswick
5. Surry County
6. Windsor
7. Park View
OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR......
If you think Riverheads will fall off after winning their 5th straight then you are badly mistaken. Others will have to step up their play as the Gladiators should unleash an even more lethal passing attack to go with their traditional running game. Bennett Dunlap should establish himself as the best passer to ever come out of Riverheads. Aiden Miller's speed at running back will be a perfect complement to the big powerful Sophomore Cayden Cook-Cash (6 ft 4, 205 lbs). If Riverheads can get by the first 3 away games undefeated then they should host throughout instead of traveling to Victoria or Sussex for the Region B title game.
Central Lunenburg is wanting to get back to their winning ways. In order to have one of their most successful seasons in years the Chargers must improve defensively. Scoring hasn't been much of an issue but games with Nottoway and Buckingham maybe too close for comfort.
PREDICTED FINISHES IN THE FOLLOWING DISTRICTS:
DOGWOOD DISTRICT
1. Appomattox
2. Dan River
3. Chatham
4. Altavista
5. William Campbell
6. Nelson County
EASTERN SHORE DISTRICT
1. Northampton
2. Nandua
3. Arcadia
JAMES RIVER DISTRICT
1. Central Lunenburg
2. Nottoway
3. Buckingham
4. Prince Edward
5. Randolph Henry
6. Cumberland
7. Bluestone
SHENANDOAH DISTRICT
1. Riverheads
2. Stuarts Draft
3. Buffalo Gap
4. Staunton
5. Wilson Memorial
6. Fort Defiance
7. Waynesboro
Week 0 predictions coming soon.....
TIDEWATER DISTRICT
In the spring West Point was the most successful making it to the state semi-finals. The Pointers were even competitive with the 5x straight class 1 champion Riverheads for a quarter and half before the Gladiators wore them down. One thing is for sure, the Pointers have plenty of confidence going into the season. Expect Kahlil Norris to lead the offense at quarterback and expect Coach L.C. Briggs and crew to be in the post season making some noise again.
King & Queen Central has been working hard to ready themselves versus a tough schedule. The Tigers have the talent to play with anyone but depth and staying healthy will be more important this season like it will be for many other teams as well. Coach Dylan DeHart in his second season will be led by the most elusive class 1 quarterback in Malik Holmes. Kam Berry should be solid at running back and their receiving core will not be a side note. Getting better defensive play will be the focus and that will be test game 1 versus Colonial Beach.
The team that has championship expectations are the Cavaliers of King William. Led by one of the best running backs in the state in Demond Claiborne, the Cavaliers will be in the mix if they can get by Nottoway. Jayveon Robinson has a sensational arm and will toast the defenses falling in aw of Claiborne. Coach Scott Moore's group has a schedule that can outpoint the competition to host in the post season if they can win out.
Mathews is looking to be improved and Middlesex will be battling to climb in the standings. Charles City wasn't able to field a team this season due to low turnout and we hope to see them in 2022.
PREDICTED FINISH
1. King William
2. King & Queen
3. West Point
4. Mathews
5. Middlesex
NORTHERN NECK
Essex has been in control of the Northern Neck for a while now and they don't expect to turnover the keys to the district quite yet. Coach Todd Jones will be hoping to see them bounce back from their year off and see if Essex can make plans for a deep march. Our eyes will be on running back Dorian Harris (6 ft 1, 205 pounds) has gain comparisons to the Trojan's Lamar Stewart. If Harris is in that category Coach Jones and company will be quite pleased. Kam Robinson is projected to lead the receiving group while the defense is expected to be quick and aggressive.
The biggest challenge to the throne is expected to come from Northumberland. The Indians will be led by one of the nation's top players. Yes the nation. Cameron Seldon who should be used in several different ways offensively to give them a big spark in production. Denzell Palmer is expected to lead at quarterback but the Indians obstacle will be on defense and can they show more improvement.
Washington & Lee is expected to be improved as well. They will be tested immediately when they travel down to West Point. The Eagles are expected to have good depth which could go a long way this season. Their neighbors Colonial Beach will be trying to get into the swing of things as their offense is a major x-factor. Expect plenty of production from the Drifter's Josh Powell. Rappahannock will be reloading while Lancaster will have some athletes but depth continues to hamper their quest for success.
PREDICTED FINISH
1. Essex
2. Northumberland
3. Washington & Lee
4. Colonial Beach
5. Rappahannock
6. Lancaster
TRI-RIVERS
Greensville County was supposed to be competing with the likes of Appomattox and others for a title in 2020 but covid derailed those plans. Their group loses a few guys but still return several to make them a threat. Quarterback Jayden White enters his Senior season along with their leading rusher Kendell Blue who is a powerful runner. Getting the passing game up to par could determine if they can challenge Nottoway and King William for the region title.
Sussex Central comes off of their year off looking to get to pre-pandemic level of play. The Tigers may not have as much depth in the past but they are hunger to succeed. Senior Tyson Garrett is expected to led the squad in production on both sides of the ball. Jaylin Prosise should give the team an experienced breakaway back as head coach Curtis Jefferson looks to be another winning season under his belt.
Southampton comes in having played a few games in the spring. Running back Jimmie Reid (6 ft 265 pounds) will be pounding defenders in the ground game. Dequan Boone (6 ft 7, 280 pounds) will be attacking on the defensive line to lead the Indians. Passing and defending the pass will continue to be the biggest obstacle for Southampton. Close games should tilt in favor Coach Travis Parker's crew.
The Brunswick Bulldogs are expected to be in the middle of the district pack as Jaheim Hicks should lead the Bulldogs rushing attack. Franklin is transition to a more wide open offensive approach. Surry County will feather Anthony Tynes who will help land a few victories. Windsor will need to develop confidence and consistency to get in the win column. Park View has had the biggest fall off and expectations aren't high.
PREDICTED FINISH
1. Sussex Central
2. Greensville County
3. Southampton
4. Brunswick
5. Surry County
6. Windsor
7. Park View
OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR......
If you think Riverheads will fall off after winning their 5th straight then you are badly mistaken. Others will have to step up their play as the Gladiators should unleash an even more lethal passing attack to go with their traditional running game. Bennett Dunlap should establish himself as the best passer to ever come out of Riverheads. Aiden Miller's speed at running back will be a perfect complement to the big powerful Sophomore Cayden Cook-Cash (6 ft 4, 205 lbs). If Riverheads can get by the first 3 away games undefeated then they should host throughout instead of traveling to Victoria or Sussex for the Region B title game.
Central Lunenburg is wanting to get back to their winning ways. In order to have one of their most successful seasons in years the Chargers must improve defensively. Scoring hasn't been much of an issue but games with Nottoway and Buckingham maybe too close for comfort.
PREDICTED FINISHES IN THE FOLLOWING DISTRICTS:
DOGWOOD DISTRICT
1. Appomattox
2. Dan River
3. Chatham
4. Altavista
5. William Campbell
6. Nelson County
EASTERN SHORE DISTRICT
1. Northampton
2. Nandua
3. Arcadia
JAMES RIVER DISTRICT
1. Central Lunenburg
2. Nottoway
3. Buckingham
4. Prince Edward
5. Randolph Henry
6. Cumberland
7. Bluestone
SHENANDOAH DISTRICT
1. Riverheads
2. Stuarts Draft
3. Buffalo Gap
4. Staunton
5. Wilson Memorial
6. Fort Defiance
7. Waynesboro
Week 0 predictions coming soon.....
