The "Wall's" Peninsula Football Game of the Week - Indian River 14, Bethel 8

Bethel tailback DeAndre Gillis (#22) led the Bruins in
rushing last night with 72 yards in a 14-8 loss to I
Indian River.

The high school football season opened last night, and my first assignment was to cover an up-and-coming Indian River HS team from Chesapeake, which traveled across the water to square off with the Bethel Bruins of Hampton. I had the Braves favored by a couple of touchdowns, and was surprised to see Bethel playing aggressive defense and holding Indian River to one first down and negative four yards for the entire first half, while building an 8-0 lead.

However, through social media and a pair of eyes on the field, I learned that Indian River had suspended 13 players for this matchup. The fact that they won 14-8 was a testament to the rest of the team that found a way to win by overcoming adversity. But Bethel, 5-6 last year, looked decent in its first game for Coach Beverley. The defense, which gave up 29 points per game last year, was stingy and held the Braves to just 15 rushing yards (on 28 carries), and a mere 122 total yards. New quarterback Navarro Price showed a strong arm, and the offense will take shape as he finds more ways to include T.J Chisley in the mix. DeAndre Gillis (20 carries, 72 yards) is developing into the go-to back for Bethel, and Janaz Jordan (10 for 30) could become a fine complimentary player.

Here's my preview, which was posted on recruit757.com Friday morning.

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The Bethel Bruins have made the switch from 6A to 5A (PenSouth Conference 10) and will open their 2015 campaign tonight with a 7 PM home game at Darling Stadium. This is the good news for football fans of the Hampton school.

Here’s the not-as-good news — they will continue to play a full schedule against nine other Peninsula District teams, and their opening opponent, Indian River of the Southeastern District, is ranked third in the initial Recruit757.com Southside poll. Also, with the addition of some talented transfers, the Braves will be arguably better than the squad that finished last season with an 8-4 record and a playoff win.

While the Bruins’ first task is daunting, head coach William Beverley is happy to have at least decided on his starting quarterback, the one he hopes will improve on the .500 mark (10-10) that Bethel has posted over the past two regular seasons.

However, as of Friday morning, Beverley had yet to make a public announcement on his starter, who was selected on Monday or Tuesday, allowing for several full practices with the team. Lekendrell Lowther and Navarro Price were the two contenders for the opportunity to replace Beau Morgan as the signal caller. Regardless of which one wins the starting job, he will have at least one weapon on offense, in the form of wideout T.C. Chisley, a versatile athlete, who was given the task of replacing Darrell Brown, last season’s deep threat. Chisley could also see time at quarterback if either Lowther or Price struggles in the first half.

Running back Quinton Lee is also gone from Bethel, but Beverley hopes that the combination of Janaz Jordan and DeAndre Gillis will be able to keep the Bruin backfield in motion. Offensive lineman Daquan Silver (6’5”, 303 lbs.) should help to create open spaces for both runners. Robert Viney, a 6’4”, 310 pound transfer from Fork Union and last season’s All-Conference player Korey Ricks (6’0”, 290) will help to give Bethel a formidable force up front.

The trio of Silver, Viney and Ricks will also provide stability on the defensive line, but the Bruins will need to improve on last year’s mark of giving up 29 points per game if they harbor any hopes of gaining extended post-season play.

On the other side of the field, while Bethel is quickly filling its roster gaps, the Braves did a fine job at reloading, with a huge boost from players who starred at other schools last year.  Linebacker Tavante Beckett transferred from Oscar Smith and should be a solid addition to a mid-defensive core, which already features a standout in linebacker Jaquan Yulee. Beckett’s new teammate Kevin Staton, made the move from Great Bridge, and at 6’6” and 330 pounds, will be tough to move on the offensive and defensive lines, a fact that may have helped running back Tyain Smith make the decision to join Staton in transferring from Great Bridge to Indian River. Omar Butler, a transfer from I. C. Norcom, should also help the Braves on the defensive side of the ball.

Indian River is also returning several key players on offense. Along with transfer Smith, the Braves have a bonafide quarterback in Tyre Givers-Wilson, a 6’4”, 210 lb. senior, as well as wide receiver Devon Hunter (6’3, 210, Jr.), a pair of college sized players who should help the offense light up the scoreboard.

However, Coach Glenwood Ferebee, in his second year at the Chesapeake school, has set a high standard for his team this year, with Southeastern District, 5A South region, and state titles all in his sights. After the team’s scrimmage against Tallwood, Ferebee told Recruit757, “(We) keep pressing. You gotta get better every week.” adding that while his team intends to take the season one week at a time, the objective will be to peak at the end of the year.

Ferebee impressed with his team’s collective effort in its final scrimmage against Tallwood, while Bethel gave up several long drives in its matchup against Landstown last Thursday.

On paper, it looks like the Bruins may be overmatched by a couple of touchdowns. However, if Bethel can keep the game close, Beverley hopes to rely on one more secret weapon, kicker John Vassilakopoulos, who he found on the Bruin soccer team.