(Staunton News Leader article by Tom Jacobs)
STAUNTON - Robert E. Lee's 2016 football season started out with a lot of promise.
But that promise faded into a disappointing 4-6 regular season and elimination in the first round of the Region 2A East playoffs by Clarke County.
This year's version of the Leemen looks better on paper, but head coach Scott Girolmo said that this group still has some things to work out.
"This team is totally different from last year's, but we can't say we're tighter or better until we're under the pressure of the season. "When the stress level rises, when we make mistakes, when our opponent beats us on a play, we still have to maintain strong character. If we can do that, then we can compare ourselves to last year.
Running back Blaize Velvin cuts away from defensive pressure during a Robert E. Lee football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Va. (Photo: Tom Jacobs/The News Leader)
The Leemen, who moved from the Valley District to the Shenandoah this year, get their season underway Friday when they host ex-Valley rival Turner Ashby.
Here are five keys for a successful season, according to Girolmo.
1.Unity, self-sacrifice. It's been the cornerstone of Girolmo's time with the Leemen. The coach has always stressed that his players need to put aside their egos for the greater good.
Achieving that goal is paramount, considering the number of new faces in the fold this year.
"We have to surrender our personal ambition for the role that is given to us and maximize that role to the best of our ability," Girolmo said. "It's not a matter of me yelling, 'Do your job.' If we can make the role and the expectations clear ... and every kids buys in and maximizes that role, we will be as good as we can be and we'll get so much better in a hurry."
Garrett Lawler is a projected starter at running back for Robert E. Lee. (Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader)
2. Staying healthy. It's a common theme every season — gotta stay injury free. One thread is pulled and the tapestry of a team can fall apart.
Girolmo and the Leemen found that out first-hand in 2016. Brendon Witherspoon, a 1,000-yard back as a junior, was lost for the year when he was injured in the third game of the season, and the Leemen weren't the same team after that.
"We've got a great set of skill players, and they work so well in synergy," Girolmo said. "But if you remove elements of it, you start to demand more of the other players.
"Everything is going to factor in — our sleep patterns, how we hydrate, our nutrition — on how we perform in practice and how we perform on Friday nights."
3. Staying competitive. In Girolmo's eyes, there are no gray areas here.
"When we are on the field, are we leading the charge?" he said. "Are we putting ourselves on the line and giving everything we've got on every play, or are we loafing or taking time to recover because we feel tired at that moment?
"The effort, the competitiveness, being willing to play hard no matter what the score is or who you're playing — how well we do will depend on us reaching that level."
Kavon Robertson scores a touchdown for Robert E. Lee during its game against Waynesboro in 2016. (Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader)
4. The offensive line: In the smash-mouth world of Shenandoah District football, the five players on the offense line set the pace.
The Leemen come into their first season in the Shenandoah with a line that could make life difficult for their new rivals. All five projected starters — Dylan Culpen, Brennin Moss, Jack Coyner, Isaih Edmonds and Dee Chisley — are seniors.
They are expected to lead the way for backs Kavon Robertson and Garrett Lawler, and provide protection for senior quarterback Jayden Williams, who will be throwing to the likes of wide receivers Ta' Strother, Tre Simmons and Matt Larson.
"I believe the line is the heart and soul of our team," Girolmo said. "We have new faces up there and we have a couple of guys back who will be looked upon as leaders. How well they play will determine how we do as a team.
Offensive and defensive linemen collide during a Robert E. Lee football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Va. (Photo: Tom Jacobs/The News Leader)
5. Tackling. It's something Girolmo said his team worked hard on during the off-season.
"We changed some of the drill work and really focused on how we tackle," Girolmo said. "How we do it in this high-powered district will make the difference for us."
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
QB- Jayden Williams, Sr.; RB- Kavon Robertson, Jr.; Garrett Lawler, Jr.; WR – Tre Simmons, Sr.; Matt Larson, Sr., Ta' Strother, Sr.; OL- Dylan Culpen, Sr.; Brennin Moss, Jr.; Jack Coyner, Sr.; Isaih Edmonds, Sr.; Dee Chisley, Sr.
Defense
DL – Dee Chisley, Sr.; Isaih Edmonds, Sr.; Jack Coyner, Sr.; LB – Garrett Lawler, Jr.; Akadeon Napier, Sr.; Dylan Culpen, Sr.; Dre Masincup, Sr.; DB- Pat Cabell, Sr.; Kavon Robertson, Jr.; Matt Larson, Sr.; Ta' Strother, Sr.
— — —
2017 Robert E. Lee Schedule
Aug. 25 - Turner Ashby
Sep. 1 - at Rockbridge County
Sep. 8 - at East Rockingham
Sep. 15 - Buffalo Gap
Sep. 22 - at Stonewall Jackson
Sep. 29 - Wilson Memorial
Oct. 6 - at Luray
Oct. 13 - BYE
Oct. 20 - Riverheads
Oct. 27 - at Page County
Nov. 3 - Stuarts Draft.
STAUNTON - Robert E. Lee's 2016 football season started out with a lot of promise.
But that promise faded into a disappointing 4-6 regular season and elimination in the first round of the Region 2A East playoffs by Clarke County.
This year's version of the Leemen looks better on paper, but head coach Scott Girolmo said that this group still has some things to work out.
"This team is totally different from last year's, but we can't say we're tighter or better until we're under the pressure of the season. "When the stress level rises, when we make mistakes, when our opponent beats us on a play, we still have to maintain strong character. If we can do that, then we can compare ourselves to last year.
Running back Blaize Velvin cuts away from defensive pressure during a Robert E. Lee football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Va. (Photo: Tom Jacobs/The News Leader)
The Leemen, who moved from the Valley District to the Shenandoah this year, get their season underway Friday when they host ex-Valley rival Turner Ashby.
Here are five keys for a successful season, according to Girolmo.
1.Unity, self-sacrifice. It's been the cornerstone of Girolmo's time with the Leemen. The coach has always stressed that his players need to put aside their egos for the greater good.
Achieving that goal is paramount, considering the number of new faces in the fold this year.
"We have to surrender our personal ambition for the role that is given to us and maximize that role to the best of our ability," Girolmo said. "It's not a matter of me yelling, 'Do your job.' If we can make the role and the expectations clear ... and every kids buys in and maximizes that role, we will be as good as we can be and we'll get so much better in a hurry."
Garrett Lawler is a projected starter at running back for Robert E. Lee. (Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader)
2. Staying healthy. It's a common theme every season — gotta stay injury free. One thread is pulled and the tapestry of a team can fall apart.
Girolmo and the Leemen found that out first-hand in 2016. Brendon Witherspoon, a 1,000-yard back as a junior, was lost for the year when he was injured in the third game of the season, and the Leemen weren't the same team after that.
"We've got a great set of skill players, and they work so well in synergy," Girolmo said. "But if you remove elements of it, you start to demand more of the other players.
"Everything is going to factor in — our sleep patterns, how we hydrate, our nutrition — on how we perform in practice and how we perform on Friday nights."
3. Staying competitive. In Girolmo's eyes, there are no gray areas here.
"When we are on the field, are we leading the charge?" he said. "Are we putting ourselves on the line and giving everything we've got on every play, or are we loafing or taking time to recover because we feel tired at that moment?
"The effort, the competitiveness, being willing to play hard no matter what the score is or who you're playing — how well we do will depend on us reaching that level."
Kavon Robertson scores a touchdown for Robert E. Lee during its game against Waynesboro in 2016. (Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader)
4. The offensive line: In the smash-mouth world of Shenandoah District football, the five players on the offense line set the pace.
The Leemen come into their first season in the Shenandoah with a line that could make life difficult for their new rivals. All five projected starters — Dylan Culpen, Brennin Moss, Jack Coyner, Isaih Edmonds and Dee Chisley — are seniors.
They are expected to lead the way for backs Kavon Robertson and Garrett Lawler, and provide protection for senior quarterback Jayden Williams, who will be throwing to the likes of wide receivers Ta' Strother, Tre Simmons and Matt Larson.
"I believe the line is the heart and soul of our team," Girolmo said. "We have new faces up there and we have a couple of guys back who will be looked upon as leaders. How well they play will determine how we do as a team.
Offensive and defensive linemen collide during a Robert E. Lee football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Va. (Photo: Tom Jacobs/The News Leader)
5. Tackling. It's something Girolmo said his team worked hard on during the off-season.
"We changed some of the drill work and really focused on how we tackle," Girolmo said. "How we do it in this high-powered district will make the difference for us."
PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense
QB- Jayden Williams, Sr.; RB- Kavon Robertson, Jr.; Garrett Lawler, Jr.; WR – Tre Simmons, Sr.; Matt Larson, Sr., Ta' Strother, Sr.; OL- Dylan Culpen, Sr.; Brennin Moss, Jr.; Jack Coyner, Sr.; Isaih Edmonds, Sr.; Dee Chisley, Sr.
Defense
DL – Dee Chisley, Sr.; Isaih Edmonds, Sr.; Jack Coyner, Sr.; LB – Garrett Lawler, Jr.; Akadeon Napier, Sr.; Dylan Culpen, Sr.; Dre Masincup, Sr.; DB- Pat Cabell, Sr.; Kavon Robertson, Jr.; Matt Larson, Sr.; Ta' Strother, Sr.
— — —
2017 Robert E. Lee Schedule
Aug. 25 - Turner Ashby
Sep. 1 - at Rockbridge County
Sep. 8 - at East Rockingham
Sep. 15 - Buffalo Gap
Sep. 22 - at Stonewall Jackson
Sep. 29 - Wilson Memorial
Oct. 6 - at Luray
Oct. 13 - BYE
Oct. 20 - Riverheads
Oct. 27 - at Page County
Nov. 3 - Stuarts Draft.
