The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week (9/25/2015) - Woodside 42, Warwick 0

Simply put, it was the Tamir Walker show. The Wolverine running back might have broken the Peninsula record of eight touchdowns in a game, held by Marshawn Williams, if he had run more than once in the second half.

Original draft of article which can be found on HRVarsity.com. Here's the link:


NEWPORT NEWS Tamir Walker scored five touchdowns in the first half, to lead Woodside to a convincing 42-0 victory over Warwick.

With the win, the Wolverines (3-2, 3-1 Peninsula) retained a share of third place in the Peninsula District, trailing undefeated Hampton and Phoebus.

Walker opened the game with a 75-yard kickoff return, then scampered 15 more on the first offensive play for the Wolverines first touchdown. Two possessions later, the junior back took a handoff and scored from four yards out.

Walkers third and fourth touchdowns were spectacular for different reasons. After a missed field goal by the Raiders, he took the ensuing handoff and outsprinted the Warwick defense 80 yards to the end zone. On the fourth, Walker started on a sweep to the right, found no running room, backtracked left and six yards behind the line of scrimmage before refocusing his bearings and heading downfield, catching a block down the left sideline from a Woodside receiver and beating a Raider safety to the goal line for a 34-yard touchdown.

Walker capped his evening with a one-yard plunge through the middle just before halftime, as Woodside took a 35-0 lead into the break.

In the first half alone, he had nine carries for 171 yards and 246 total yards. With the game in hand, and a running clock in place for the second half, Walker carried only one more time for four yards.

Good led the Raiders (1-3, 0-3 Peninsula) with 103 yards rushing.


WARWICK    -- 0, 0, 0, 0 -- 0
WOODISDE -- 21, 14, 7, 0 -- 42


First quarter
Wo Walker 15 run (kick blocked)
Wo Walker 4 run (Walker pass)
Wo Walker 80 run (Mitchel kick)

Second quarter
Wo Walker 34 run (kick blocked)
Wo Walker 1 run (D. Chesson run)

Third quarter
Wo Tyler 2 run (Mitchel kick)


                   War  Wood    
First downs;    6, 11
Rushes-yards;  23-117, 32-274
Passing yards;   60, 16
Comp-att-int; 6-16-1, 1-2-0
Penalties-yards; 6-50, 8-60
Punts-avg;      1-38, 2-33
Fumbles-lost; 2-2, 0-0







The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week - Warwick vs. Woodside - Game Preview

Game preview article from Recruit757.com. I hope that everyone has had a chance to check out Andy Hilton's Recruit757.com High School Top-10 every weekend on Sportswrap, which is seen in the Hampton Roads region on Fox-43 and WAVY-10 TV (NBC). Check out @jfmcgrath for live updates tonight from Todd Stadium. And look for HRVarsity.com tonight, and tomorrow's Daily Press for game summaries. Elizabeth will also be providing her take on the game for Recruit757.
Warwick (1-3) vs. Woodside (2-2), Friday 7 p.m. at Todd Stadium
Warwick RB Demonte Good (Photo: Sam Mizelle/recruit757)
Warwick RB Demonte Good (Photo: Sam Mizelle/recruit757)
After last weekend’s game against Woodside, Hampton coach Mike Smith had a tremendous compliment for Wolverine quarterback Tyhier Tyler.
“He’s like a smaller version of Bubba,” said the legendary Crabber coach of the 5’7”, 150 pound Tyler, making a comparison to his own star quarterback Jovonn Quillen. Against Hampton, Tyler threw for one touchdown while running for another.
Indeed, pound-for-pound, Tyler is one of the most explosive players in the Peninsula District. And his team’s record (2-2) is misleading, considering that the two losses came to 2013 South Carolina state champion Northwestern, and recruit757.com #4 ranked and undefeated Hampton. Woodside, under Coach Danny Dodson, is capable of winning seven or eight games this season.
On the other hand, Warwick (1-3) is experiencing growing pains. Their last game was a 42-6 loss to the other undefeated district team, Phoebus.
However, the Raiders do have some pop in their offense, as evidenced by their three touchdowns against Heritage in a 36-18 loss. In that game, Warwick rushed for 151 yards. Also, against Phoebus, quarterback D.J. Nunn connected on a 53-yard scoring strike to Travis Williams.
On the other hand, Woodside is capable of dropping 40 points on any Peninsula team not named Hampton or Phoebus. Along with Tyler, the Wolverines are supercharged by a trifecta of offensive threats. Running back Tamir Walker can break for long touchdowns, while receiver/backs Demetri Banks and Jordan Lassiter keep opposing secondaries honest. Coach Dodson has been known to call for the run on every offensive play during a game, but his offense does have the ability to throw, as Woodside did 12 times (for nine completions, 281 yards, and three touchdowns) in a 46-7 win against Menchville.
Woodside could surpass the five touchdown threshold against its cross-town rivals on Friday. However, if Warwick’s defense can rise to the challenge, and Nunn can get the Raider offense rolling, with a big game from running back Demonte Good helping greatly, the matchup could be interesting.
At face value, it looks like Woodside has the advantage.   Warwick has the look of a team that’s looking to break out.   Woodside can’t take them lightly.

The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week - York 31, Warhill 13

In a change of pace, I'm deferring to my wife Elizabeth for this game summary from Friday night at Bailey Field in Yorktown. We have been tag-teaming on some games, and I hope that the double coverage has been beneficial for the players competing on the field. 

From recruit757.com  ---   http://www.recruit757.com/york-falcons-fly-warhill/

by Elizabeth McGrath, recruit757
York WR Adam Lytle (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
York WR Adam Lytle (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
York Freshman QB Ramsey Hayyat and Company Swooped onto Bailey for Second Win
Contenders in the Bay Rivers district have noticed both a well-devised, well executed run-pass games from second-year coach Thad Wheeler and his Warhill Lions.   Statistically, the averages for completions, passes, and rushing yards have been superb against opponents.   Prominent playmakers on the Lions squad for the current season have been veterans Collin Bright, Ryan Creecy and Trevon Loftin.  Notable newcomer, freshman Noah Holmes, received a fair amount of praise for his performance in the season opener against Churchland.   The linebacker caught an 18-yard pass from Creecy.
The Lions assembled onto Bailey Field against an undefeated 1-0 York Falcons, seeking their first win.   An advice regarding nature came to mind in football matchups, particularly with longtime Falcon coach Doug Pereira’s game plans.  “Falcons are birds of prey and are therefore known for their incredible hunting skills and being a ruthless, dominant predator within their environment.”
First, the Lions pondered how to stop double-threat Devin Campbell.   On defense, the senior spearheaded a strong linebacking corps, and could intercept or return a punt and quickly score six points.   Offensively, he could carry the football on numerous touches for over 100 yards.   Quarterback Ramsey Hayyat in his debut against New Kent demonstrated his throwing abilities all over the field.  As for speed, he rushed 91 yards for a touchdown.  A freshman quarterback, disguised with the precision of Tom Brady, the speed of Nick Foles and the heroics of Peyton Manning at a Virginia High School League sanctioned game?
Methodically, the Falcons waited for their moment to play, as they deferred the ball to the Lions after winning the coin toss.   The first half of the Bay Rivers non-conference game belonged solely to York in triple statistics in total yards and first downs.    Hayyat, in his second start as varsity quarterback, threw a 44-yard pass to open WR Luke Gilbert for a touchdown.   York scored first in the game with a total of six.    After another scoreless series by Warhill, York received possession of the ball.   Again, QB Hayyat lobbed a pass to WR Adam Lytle recovered in the end zone.  Though wobbly in his hands from the 20-yard line, Lytle maintained the football to score another easy six points.
The second quarter marked an important milestone for Falcon’s quarterback Hayyat, as he threw three touchdowns in the first 12:30 of a high school game!   The third touchdown involved quick-thinking and schemes.   Hayyat faked a pass off and threw left to running back Da’Shaun Jones, who scored from ten yards out.   With the extra point missed, the game at 11 minutes on the clock was 18-0.
The young QB continued to score with rather original patterns.    The next was a running play, where Hayyat finessed through a gap and ran for 44 yards, fumbling at the two yard line.  Fortunately, teammate Adam Lytle recovered and secured a touchdown.  With less than eight minutes left of the first half, York was ahead by 24.
The Lions roared with their first score towards the end of the first half.  With 34 seconds left, Trey Drummond recovered a fumbled ball and dashed for 46 yards to the end zone, resulting in a touchdown.   Warhill was unsuccessful with their two-point conversation, ending the first half of the game with the score 24-6.
Devin Campbell made a diving score in the fourth quarter, adding another six to the Falcon’s total to 30.   The extra point from kicker Logan Weis was good, with over six and half minutes left in regulation.    With less than 30 seconds on the clock, Collin Bright rushed 20 yards to score a touchdown for the Warhill Lions.  With the extra point from kicker Fletcher Whalen, the Lions added seven more to their total, completing the game’s scoring.
After a successful night for the young Hayyat, he was injured on the long running play and replaced by junior Isaiah Hawkins.   He left the game with six of eight completed passes, for a total of 110 yards and three touchdowns.  For the evening, Bright, a senior at Warhill High, carried 23 times passes for 154 yards for the Lions.
York’s next game is at Bailey Field, hosting the Poquoson Islanders (3-0) on Friday, September 25. Warhill’s next game is also at home against the Smithfield Packers (1-2) on Friday.




The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week -- Warhill vs. York Preview

Warhill (0-2) at York (1-1), Friday at 7 p.m.
Warhill QB Ryan Creecy (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Warhill QB Ryan Creecy (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)

From recruit757.com

Friday’s showdown between Warhill and York at Bailey Field features two teams in need of a win to gain a foothold in the Bay Rivers District standings.
For Warhill (0-2, 0-1 Bay Rivers), a victory would give them credibility and a .500 record within the district. In spite of their record, the Lions, after several years of struggling during their team’s infancy, have developed into a formidable opponent. Their first loss was a well-played 24-20 effort against Churchland, while the second defeat came to 3A powerhouse Lafayette.
Although the Lions only gained 126 yards in the 40-6 loss to the Rams, there were a couple of bright spots. Running back Collin Bright rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries, including a 67-yard blast down the right sideline for Warhill’s only score. Teammate Bryce Koob added 38 yards on seven carries.
Nevertheless, Warhill failed to establish any passing game, attempting only one pass, which was incomplete.
York (1-1, 1-0 Bay Rivers) could gain a boost with a win on Friday, as the Smithfield-Lafayette game will create one less undefeated district team.
Two-way player Devin Campbell leads the Falcons. In last week’s 37-27 win at New Kent, the senior standout excelled on both sides of the line. At linebacker, Campbell returned a punt for an exciting 75-yard touchdown, but he also tallied 138 yards and two more scores at running back.
One question that remains to be answered for York is who will start at quarterback on Friday. Isaiah Hawkins was anointed as the starting signal caller at the beginning of the season, but got hurt during the opener against James Monroe. Freshman Ramsey Hayyat finished the game, and then started against New Kent, where he threw for 102 yards and a touchdown, while running for 91 yards and another score. York coach Doug Pereira has kept the name of his starter on Friday a secret, but hinted that both Hawkins and Hayyat might see action under center.
If Warhill can activate its aerial attack, they might stand a chance to win on Friday night. However, the Falcons appear to have too much firepower to lose at home. If York can emerge victorious, a 2-0 district record would put them in title contention among the likes of Lafayette, Poquoson and re-emerging Smithfield.

Funeral Expense Fund set up for Bruton's Coach Brooks

This fund is being set up to help the family of the late  Kevin Brooks  with his funeral expenses. Kevin was a man, that never met a person that didn't like him nor he not like them.  Kevin was unexpectedly called home to be with our Lord on September 11, 2015.  

Here is the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/y44c8jgf


The family will appreciate your support at this time of the loss of their loved one.  No contribution is too small to assist the family of the late Kevin "Big" Brooks.  Please help!!!


We leave you with these words:

    Today for me life on earth has passed, but in Heaven it starts anew.  I'm promised no tomorrow for today will always last.
     I am with my Savior and I am at rest.  Do not think we're far apart , for every time you think of me, I am right here in your heart!!!!!

The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week - Smithfield 36, Bruton 13

Despite the score, this was an incredible effort by Bruton, who played less than ten hours after the passing of their offensive line coach, Kevin Brooks. I was in the press box at Smithfield as the moment of silence was held for Coach Brooks (and for 9/11). But for some reason, the seriousness of the moment didn't hit me right away.

I arrived home and started telling my wife about what had happened, and realized that I was sidetracked enough during the moment of silence to have not even written down the coach's name. To add insult, I never even informed Marty O'Brien, the Bay Rivers reporter at the Daily Press, about the event. As Friday evening turned to Saturday morning, and then afternoon, it occurred to me that I should report what happened. However, by then, Marty had learned of the passing and already had an article online.

Even worse, after I saw a picture of Coach Brooks, I realized that I knew him -- not well, but he was certainly a fixture around the shot and discus areas at a lot of track meets. My apologies to the Bruton family for not sharing this news sooner. Rest in Peace -- Coach Brooks.

And here's the game. Bruton, an underdog, showed heart and spirit in keeping the score tied midway through the second quarter. But the emotion of their day probably caught up with the team, although Smithfield started to find the spark in their offense.


Smithfield's Chris Pierce caught six
balls, three for touchdowns, to lead
the Packers to a 36-13 win at home.
SMITHFIELD Christopher Pierce caught three touchdown passes from Nicholas Turner to lead the Packers to a 36-13 home win over Bruton.

The first touchdown connection occurred with two minutes left in the first half. Turner, who had sat out the previous two series at quarterback, threw a screen to Pierce, who ducked and dodged, while eluding a last effort tackle near the goal line to log a 67-yard passing touchdown.

Pierce added two more in the second half, a six-yarder that was setup by a 46-yard punt return from midfield by Willie Drew. On their next possession, Pierce caught the game-clincher, a 16-yarder on fourth-and-goal. For the game, the junior caught six passes for 112 yards.

The hosts struck first. A 30-yard punt return from midfield by Willie Drew gave the Packers great field position at the Panther 20.  On the second play, quarterback Nicholas Turner dropped back to pass, but instead scampered 18 yards for the games first touchdown.

Bruton (1-1) answered back late in the first quarter as the Panthers capped a six-play, 50 yard drive with Gregory Dockery throwing a floater down the right side, which was caught for a 28-yard score by Jalen Carr.

Carr was also responsible for the best defensive play of the first half, scooping up a Turner fumble and rambling 76 yards untouched for a score that tied the game at 13. Prior to Carrs score, Lowell Patron scored on a seven-yard sweep.

Packers coach Reginald Chavis, whose team lost to Kings Fork 24-17 last week, said that his team overcame a lot of adversity this week, but still had a lot of work to do, as they prepare for undefeated Lafayette next week.

Will Robinson led Smithfield (1-1) with 76 yards rushing on 12 carries.


BRUTON        --     7, 6, 0, 0 -- 13
SMITHFIELD   --  7,13, 2, 14 -- 36

First quarter
S Turner 18 run (Tucker kick)
B Carr 28 pass from Dockery (Malik kick)

Second quarter
S Patron 7 run (kick failed)
B Carr 76 fumble return (kick failed)
S Pierce 67 pass from Turner (Tucker kick)

Third quarter
S Safety. Punter knee touches ground in end zone.

Fourth quarter
S Pierce 6 pass from Turner (Tucker kick)
S Pierce 16 pass from Turner (Tucker kick)

                   Brut  Smith     
First downs;    5, 14
Rushes-yards;  39-77, 42-152
Passing yards;   53, 178
Comp-att-int; 4-16-2, 12-25-1
Penalties-yards; 6-41, 5-40
Punts-avg;    5-30, 4-28 
Fumbles-lost; 1-1, 2-1



Bruton Travels to Smithfield for Early Season Test


Smithfield SO WR Chris Pierce (Photo: Joe Barnes/recruit757)
Smithfield SO WR Chris Pierce (Photo: Joe Barnes/recruit757)
As shown in recruit757.com. I will be covering the game tonight for the Daily Press. And just to add, my prediction, which was wisely deleted on the other site, is Smithfield 27, Bruton 19. Look for my live updates @jfmcgrath tonight.
Bruton (1-0) at Smithfield (0-1) Friday at 7 p.m.
An inspired Bruton team, fresh off an upset last week, travels across the James River on Friday night to take on district rival Smithfield in a game that should serve as a formidable barometer for each team’s chances of a top-half district finish.
For the visiting Panthers, defeating King William last weekend served as a minor upset and a reminder to the rest of the Bay Rivers District that last season’s 2-9 record should not be used as the 2015 measuring stick. Granted, Bruton did earn a 2A playoff berth because most of their district competition was against 3A and 4A teams.
But the Panthers, under second year coach Reggie Jones, showed off a strong running game in the 32-24 win. Feature back Daniel Jones rushed for 121 yards with touchdown runs of 48 and 14 yards. In all, Bruton totaled 312 yards on the ground, with Jones and company eating up chunks of real estate behind the offensive line, which featured Elijah Graves, Trevon Wallace, Hudson Daniel, A.J. Battle, Kirk Cooke, Giovani Campbell, Dailon Donley and Tadie Mielczarek.
Linebacker Ian Gruver spearheaded a strong defensive effort with 11 tackles, three for losses. Fellow defender Mike Rodgers helped to seal the win with his 27-yard interception return for a pick-six touchdown. Coach Jones is hoping that his young squad will return to the 8-4 mark it recorded in 2013, Coach Tracy Harrod’s last season.
Smithfield (0-1), who finished 5-6 last year under coach Clark Harrell (now at New Kent), is also hoping for a fast start under new head whistle Reginald Chavis, who earned his coaching stripes as an assistant at Booker T. Washington. Chavis’ troops fell a touchdown short to Kings Fork last week, 24-17, but a seven-point loss to a fellow 4A team that won two games in last year’s playoffs (38-3 against Grafton and 33-14 against Booker T.) is not the worst of starts.
Although replacing Donald King and his 2,400 yards over the past two seasons will be a tall task, having veterans QB Nick Turner and RB Lowell Patron in the backfield, along with last year’s 44-catch wide out Chris Pierce in the mix should provide stability to the offense.

The "Wall's" Peninsula Games of the Week - Doubleheader at Todd -- Heritage and Woodside Win

A couple of takeaways from last Friday's doubleheader at Todd. First, I am going to gloat a little bit about my predictions which were displayed here and at recruit757.com. 
Woodside's Tamir Walker was in beast mode against
Menchville last Friday night, gaining 251 total yards of
rushing and receiving, as well as 4 touchdowns.

For the Heritage-Warwick contest, I predicted a 35-21 final. As you see, it was 36-18. For the nightcap, I mentioned that last year's game was 49-0 in favor of Woodside, and the only difference this year might be that Menchville would score once or twice. Final score -- 46-7 Woodside.

But looking at the Peninsula District, it was good to see Heritage bounce back from a 54-0 spanking in Week 1, while Warwick looked to be improved from last year's 2-8 team.

In Game 2, Tamir Walker of Woodside is looking like a beast. He ended up with 88 yards rushing, 153 receiving and FOUR touchdowns! Woodside will once again be a team to beat in the PD, and I'd probably rank the top 4 as Hampton, Phoebus, Woodside, Bethel (in spite of 0-2 record).

(As seen on HRVarsity.com)

HERITAGE 36, WARWICK 18

NEWPORT NEWS – The Heritage Hurricanes avenged a 54-point loss to Lake Taylor last week, upending Warwick 36-18 on Friday at Todd Stadium.

After a scoreless first quarter, Heritage (1-1) got on the board first, gaining two points when the Warwick snap from punt formation went over their punter’s head and rolled out of the end zone. The Hurricanes put their first solid drive together (nine plays, 64 yards) later, but it fizzled on fourth down at the Raider 9. On their next possession, starting at midfield, running back Roy Johnson III found daylight down the left sideline and sprinted past the Warwick defense for a 50-yard score. Khari Greene’s extra point gave the Canes a 9-0 lead with nine minutes left in the first half.

Warwick (1-1) put together its own long drive, highlighted by a 23-yard Demonte Good run and finished with a two-yard quarterback sneak by D.J. Nunn, which closed the lead to 9-6.

But Heritage roared back. QB Jeremiah Boyd (eight for 15, 190 yards, 2 TD’s, int) found a wide-open Amonyae Watson down the right seam and the wide receiver galloped the last ten yards for a 40-yard TD.

The Hurricanes momentum blew over into the second half. Tre’Sean Shackleford, who had been held to 11 yards rushing in the first half, found his bearings and carried for 45 yards on five carries on Heritage’s opening drive, which ended with a one-yard touchdown sneak by Boyd.

After a Silas Walls fumble recovery, Boyd found Watson again, this time on a 64-yard bomb, which put the game away for the Canes. Elijah Anderson’s nine-yard pass from Nunn gave Warwick some life, especially after they recovered the ensuing onside kick. But Phillip Harley’s second interception sealed the game for Heritage.

Shackleford added a two-yard rushing TD for Warwick, while Good completed the Raiders scoring with a two-yard plunge in the fourth quarter.

Watson finished the game with three catches for 146 yards plus the pair of touchdowns.


HERITAGE  0, 16,14, 6 -- 36
WARWICK   0, 6, 6, 6  --  18

Second quarter
H Safety. Punt snap rolls out of end zone.
H R. Johnson 50 run (K. Greene kick)
W Nunn 2 run (pass failed)
H Watson 40 pass from J. Boyd (K. Greene kick)

Third quarter
H Boyd 1 run (K. Greene kick)
H Watson 64 pass from J. Boyd (K. Greene kick)
W Anderson 9 pass from Nunn (pass failed)

Fourth quarter
H Shackleford 2 run (pass failed)
W - Good 2 run (pass failed)

      
               Her    War  
First downs;    11, 17
Rushes-yards;  32-171, 47-151
Passing yards;   190, 99
Comp-att-int;   8-15-1, 11-17-2
Penalties-yards; 8-56, 10-110
Punts-avg;      1-3, 2-24
Fumbles-lost;   1-1, 1-0

WOODSIDE 46, MENCHVILLE 7


NEWPORT NEWS – In the nightcap, Woodside jumped all over the Monarchs early, and cruised to a 46-7 win.

The Wolverines (1-1) scored on their first four possessions. Running back Tamir Walker scored the first two on 21 and 69 yard passes from Tyhier Tyler. Jacari Lee snared a 31-yarder from Tyler, and TaShawn Lassiter finished the first half scoring with an eight-yard sweep to the left.

Menchville (0-2) found its way on to the scoring column early in the second quarter. Malik Dixon took an Anthony Wyatt pass in the right flat, then beat the Woodside defense down the right sideline for a 51-yard touchdown. At the half, the Monarchs trailed 27-7.

Woodside opened the second half with a six-play, 70-yard drive capped by Walker’s third touchdown, a one-yard scamper around the right side.

Walker added a fourth touchdown on another sweep to the right, this one for 31 yards. Kendall Bell added a nine-yard touchdown run to finish the Wolverine scoring.

For the game, Tyler completed nine of 12 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns, while Walker caught five passes for 163 yards. In all, Woodside outgained Menchville 454-145.

WOODSIDE        15,12,12, 7  -- 46
MENCHVILLE    0, 7, 0, 0 --       7

First quarter
W Walker 21 pass from Tyler (pass successful)
W Walker 69 pass from Tyler (Mitchel kick)

Second quarter
W Lee 31 pass from Tyler (kick blocked)
W Lassiter 8 run (kick failed)
M Dixon 51 pass from Wyatt (Mitchel kick)

Third quarter
W Walker 1 run (run failed)
W Walker 31 run (run failed)

Fourth quarter
W Bell 9 run (Mitchel kick)

                   Wood   Mench       
First downs;    15, 9
Rushes-yards;  26-173, 41-71
Passing yards;   281, 74
Comp-att-int;   9-12-0, 3-5-0
Penalties-yards; 5-40, 4-45
Punts-avg;      0-0, 2-28
Fumbles-lost;   1-1, 2-2