Northern Virginia HS Football Recap - Week 1

With the heat and humidity of August dragging many of us down, it was great to see the first signs of fall signified in the re-ignition of Friday Night Lights throughout Virginia and nationwide.

In Northern Virginia, a slightly truncated slate of games were played, many by teams wishing to enjoy a week off later in the season. Regardless of the abbreviated schedule, there were several key matchups, including the season opener for three-time defending 6A champion Westfield, who brought a 24-game winning streak to the table against the Bruins of Lake Braddock.

The region’s top player, Devyn Ford, was one of the first to suit up, on Thursday night, as his Wolverines hosted Osbourn.

Other big timers kicked off this weekend, including Hylton, South Lakes, and 6A state semifinalist Colonial Forge. Starting this week (kind of) was Justice High School, formerly known as J.E.B. Stuart, which also marked the debut of the Wolves’ new coach Greg Weisbecker.

North Stafford 56, Osbourn 0 (Thurs. 8/23)

The season officially kicked off Thursday with a trio of games. Devyn Ford got an unexpected amount of rest, but scored two touchdowns, one on the ground, and the other on a 69-yard pass from Jamir Boyd as the Wolverines rolled to an easy win.

In all, Boyd threw for five touchdowns, while completing 12 of 14 passes for 219 yards. Holt Egan had two second quarter scores by reception, while Javon Swinton and Manny Pellot caught balls for touchdowns.

Tevin White led all rushers with 92 yards on 16 carries and two TD’s.

Westfield 42, Lake Braddock 21

The Bulldogs began their 6A state title defense with a 35-point run in the middle two quarters to run away from a strong Bruin team on opening night.

Quarterback Noah Kim showed that he has continued to progress. Kim completed 11 of 15 passes for 155 yards and five touchdowns, two each to Bizzet Woodley (5-92) and Taylor Morin (3-58). Sean Goodman also scored on a nine-yard reception.

Eugene Asante, who is now up to six offers, rushed for 149 yards, and was happy to have started the season well against a quality opponent.

“I just wanted to be able to showcase my talents and kind of had a boulder on my shoulder, going against (U.VA commit) Josh Ahern,” Asante told recruitNoVA.com on Saturday.

Isaiah Daniel (10 carries, 74 yards) finished the scoring with an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Robinson 28, Hylton 7

The Rams relied on a balanced offensive attack and scored a touchdown in each quarter to down the Bulldogs in Woodbridge.

In all, Robinson rushed for 373 yards and four touchdowns, led by several long runs from junior Tanner Laplante.

Woodson 14, South Lakes 7

In a reversal of last year’s 42-7 loss, the Cavaliers upended South Lakes 14-7 in Reston.

The Seahawks scored first and held on to a 7-0 halftime lead. But the Cavs scored in the third quarter to tie the game and then delivered the winning touchdown in the final quarter to wrap up the season-opening win.

Colonial Forge 51, Patriot 35

Ernesto Bowen ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns and Zack Kindel caught two passes for scores as John Brown’s head coaching debut was a success as the Eagles outdistanced Patriot 51-35.

The game featured the strength of Forge’s running attack against the power of Patriot’s passing game. The Eagles, led by Bowen, rushed for 230 yards, while Madden Lowe displayed pinpoint accuracy with a short passing game, completing 11 of 17 for 77 yards and the eight and nine-yards scores to Kindel. On defense, the Eagles held the Patriots to 23 yards on 24 carries, although Chris Sonnenberg was spectacular at quarterback, completing 25 of 28 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns.

Broad Run 31, Potomac Falls 0

Tim Baldwin ran for a pair of first-half touchdowns as the Spartans stomped the Panthers in Sterling.

Justice 47, Annandale 26

The Wolves won their first game as the newly renamed Justice High School, rushing for 350 yards, as they built a 32-6 lead and coasted in Falls Church.

Elijah Jeffries (three carries, 79 yards) took an inside handoff and dashed 62-yard for a first half score. Devin Matthews rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns and Drake Latham added an 18-yard rushing score in the second half.

Marco Cesarotto was efficient at quarterback (five of eight for 62 yards), throwing a 40-yard score to Matthews and adding a 10-yard rushing touchdown, as Weisbecker won his coaching debut for Justice.

T. Roosevelt 43, Falls Church 20

Two third-quarter touchdowns helped the visiting D.C. school pull away from the Jaguars.

Roosevelt built a tenuous 21-13 halftime lead, but pulled away in the early second half. Falls Church was held to 114 yards and feature back Dakwandre Marshall gained 56 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.

Conley Ku completed seven of 17 passes for 120 yards with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Noah Strother.

Trinity Episcopal 46, O’Connell 41

O’Connell had victory snatched from its grasp as a 99-yard drive by the Titans, followed by a late interception gave Trinity Episcopal the season-opening win in Arlington.

The lead changed hands several times throughout the game, as Jahmal Banks kept the Knights in the game, scoring on a 22-yard reception, 91-yard kickoff return, and 75-yard interception return. Banks finished the game with seven catches for 123 yards.

Aidan McGowan (14 of 23, 205 yards) threw his other touchdown for 35 yards to Ryan Barrett. The Knights were less successful with their running game, but were boosted by short touchdown runs by Kai Bowers and Rodney Jackson.

However, the Titans compiled over 520 yards of offense, including the game-winning drive, which started at their 1-yard line.

Other scores

Battlefield 44, Oakton 0

Brooke Point 27, Potomac 6

Centreville 44, Stonewall Jackson 7

Colgan 14, Forest Park 12

Colonial Beach 14, Spotsylvania 7

Dominion 25, Clarke Co. 14

Fairfax 27, McLean 0

Freedom 35, Life Christian 6

Friendship Collegiate 20, John Champe 7

Hayfield 28, Chantilly 23

Heritage 54, Freedom-South Riding 14

Liberty 29, Brentsville 8

Loudoun Co. 35, Fauquier 12

Louisa Co. 35, Courtland 0

Massaponax 47, Chancellor 0

Madison 42, Marshall 12

Martinsburg (WV) 62, Loudoun Valley 12

Mountain View 48, Albemarle 0

No. VA Homeschool 32, Jefferson 25

Riverside 30, Rock Ridge 10

South Co. 40, Langley 7

Stafford 30, James Monroe 13

T.C. Williams 65, Osbourn Park 32

Tuscarora 35, King George 7

West Potomac 24, Briar Woods 14

West Springfield 56, Lee 40

Woodgrove 56, Armstrong 14

Road Racing is Back on Jamestown Island with Democracy Dash 10K

Road racing is back on Jamestown Island, reliving a tradition that dates back to the 17th century, and its race promoters couldn't be happier.

In fact, two road races are on tap for this Saturday, with the inaugural Democracy Dash 10K taking place on Jamestown Island at 7:15 am, and the 10th Annual Smart Smiles 5K starting 45 minutes later at the Mariners Museum in Newport News.

The Democracy Dash will serve as the final leg of the newly installed Historic Triangle Triple Crown, joining the Yorktown 10K and Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester (DOG) Street Challenge 5K run, which are both held two weeks apart in April.

Most importantly, the Democracy Dash will renew a tradition started in 1691, when then-Virginia Governor Francis Nicholson held foot races, along with other sporting competitions, on Jamestown Island. Nicholson’s competitions marked the first recorded organized and official sporting events in the English New World. With a 327-year legacy to protect, it is noteworthy that there will now be races in all three cities of the Historic Triangle.

Runners may enter online at ww.RunSignUp.com. More information may be found at the Colonial Road Runners website at www.colonialroadrunners.org, and the Dash will also be part of the CRR Grand Prix series for 2018, which includes 23 races.

Michael Bennett, director of the Victory at Yorktown 10K and Democracy Dash committee member said, “We are so proud to live in an area with the rich history of three major locations, and to be able to host a series that will increase the visibility for those who live locally, and from other states.” Added CRR president Rick Platt, “I have been waiting many years for a running race on the beautiful tour roads of Jamestown Island.”

The Smart Smiles race doesn’t carry as much historical weight, but still serves a noble purpose, as its proceeds will be used to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula. Co-race sponsor Smart Smiles at the Dentist provides dental care for Boys and Girls Club members who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities.

The race also provides young cross-country runners the chance for a pre-season tune-up, evidenced by last year’s winner, Clint Gault, who won as a Poquoson High senior, in 16:41.

Whetstine Wins Six Swimming Golds at State Age-Groups

Clayton Whetstine of the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins posted a Michael Phelps-like performance last weekend, capturing six gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the Virginia Age Group Championships, held at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center, outside of Blacksburg.

Whetstine’s performance was noteworthy in that it showed off his versatility in distances and strokes. The 14-year-old, a rising ninth-grader at Norfolk Academy, won in three different disciplines, with victories in the 100 (1:00.02) and 200-meter (2:13.16) backstroke, the 200 (2:14.57) and 400-meter (4:47.36) individual medley, and the 200 (2:00.73) and 400-meter (4:16.62) freestyle. The individual medley swims were impressive with Whetstine winning the 200 by almost 4.94 seconds.

Whetstine also placed second in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:35.38) and third in the 1500-meter freestyle (17:25.62).

Other local swimmers earned top-two finishes. Daniel Parsons of the Southeastern Virginia (SEVA) Seahawks placed second in the 13-14-year-old 50 (24.96) and 100-meter freestyle (55.29), as well as the 100 butterfly (1:00.34). Jack Graham of the Williamsburg Aquatic Club also earned three runner-up finishes, in the 200 (2:16.55) and 400-meter freestyle (4:48.86) and the 200 individual medley (2:33.40).

The Dolphins’ relay team of Kyleigh Tankard, Isabel Marstellar, Brooke-Lynn Clark and Ann Ellington earned two second place finishes, in the 400 medley relay (4:34.95) and 800 freestyle relay (8:51.29).

Carl Stauffer of Williamsburg Aquatics won second in the 10-and-under 50-meter breaststroke (41.86), and teammate Mary Gregory was second in the 11-12 200-meter breaststroke (2:55.62).

Sean Thomas of 757 Swim placed second in the 11-12 100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:12.21. CGBD’s Bernard Kim was second in the 10-and-under 100-meter breaststroke in 1:28.90.

Lady Gators Win USWFL D-3 (Ironwoman) Title

The Hampton Roads Lady Gators, in only their second season, overcame an early deficit to claim the United States Women’s Football League Division 3 (Ironwoman) Championship, defeating the Tri-Cities Thunder 20-14 in Bristol, TN on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Gators, who finished their inaugural season 2-6, completed their championship run with an 8-2 record, and undefeated against Division 3 competition, with both of their losses coming to the undefeated Division 2 champion Washington Prodigy.

“I don’t really believe it hit me yet,” said team owner and nose guard Katisha Simpkins. But I cried like a baby on the field today. It’s crazy.”

The underdog Thunder scored the game’s first touchdown, but the Gators quickly evened the score in the first quarter on a one-yard run by quarterback Kenya Wilkerson. Keonna Rheubottom’s two-point conversion run tied the game at eight.

The Thunder scored again early in the second half to take a 14-8 lead, but it was Rheubottom who re-tied the game with a five-yard rushing touchdown with just over five minutes remaining in regulation.

However, Wilkerson (four of eight, 90 yards, six carries, 70 yds., TD) was injured on the gators’ next possession, forcing offensive coordinator Michael Smith to insert Meghan Bradford into the offense at quarterback. At this point, the Gators opted for a spread offense and the adjustment paid off as the Gators scored the winning touchdown with Bradford connecting with Ja’Quaria Barnes for an 80-yard score.

The play was not immediately successful as Bradford’s pass initially bounced off the hands of a Thunder cornerback. Said Barnes, “I ran my route and as soon as I turned to get (the pass), I saw the corner’s hand go up for it. I just stayed with the play and caught it off her hands. From there it was off to the races. That’s the fastest I have ever run! But Coach (Sterge Evans) was saying all day, big time players make big time plays!”

Bradford was reminded of a similar play, albeit from the college ranks. “(Before the play) I started thinking about the Alabama national championship game when their backup quarterback looked off the safety and then threw deep. That’s exactly what I did. (Ja’Quaria) had beaten her corner; however, before the ball got to her, I saw the corner try and knock it down, but she tipped it. JQ made an amazing catch and I thought, sweet, that’s a first down. But she kept running, got a good block and ran all the way in for a touchdown.”

The defense, who benefitted throughout the game from big plays by Mydrione Halsey, sealed the game on the Thunder’s ensuing possession as Rheubottom forced, and then recovered a fumble.

Bradford finished with 120 passing yards on two completions. TaShaun Leigh gathered 85 rushing yards on eight carries, while Lavon Smith added 46 on six rushes, as well as a 45-yard reception.

Peninsula Sports Club Hosts Annual Awards

Dr. William R. Harvey and Paul S. Trible, Jr., the presidents of Hampton and Christopher Newport Universities, shared the Herbert Morewitz Sports Person of the Year award at the 69^th Annual Peninsula Sports Club Awards, held at the City Center Marriott on Monday evening.

Long-time Daily Press sports writer Marty O’Brien received the Bob Moskowitz Media Award, while Gene Thompson was honored with the Sports Person Emeritus Award. Belinda Langston, athletic specialist with over 40 years of experience in Newport News Public Schools, won the Charles Karmosky Award.

Menchville and Jamestown high schools captured the Julian Rice and Red Simpson awards, given annually to the most successful athletic programs in the Peninsula and Bay Rivers conferences.

Jamestown’s All-American volleyball player, and recent Maryland commit, Emma Schriner won the Betsy Thomas Outstanding High School Female Athlete, and Patrick McCormick, four-time state champion wrestler from Poquoson, won the Julie Conn Outstanding Male Athlete award.

The Thad Madden award was presented to seven recipients – Quanisha Bruce, Lisa Dillard-Hanks, Allen Iverson, Yvette Lewis, Francena McCorory, Bev Vaughan, Jr., and Keith Witherspoon.

Kermit Buggs, Troy Fullwood and Bill Nettles earned special achievement awards. Last fall, Nettles announced his 1,000^th football game, at Todd Stadium.

The PSC also awarded ten $1,000 scholarships to Peninsula student-athletes.

Remembering Coach Bev

Our Denbigh track community lost a great friend and coach last week with the passing of Louis Beveridge. Coach Bev’s impact on the youths of Denbigh High, Newport News, and Greensboro, NC, is immense and far too great to be described here. We love you and will miss you Coach, and your spirit of community activism lives within us all. Rest in Heaven, sir. You did great work here.

The last time we talked was at Big (Jaymes) Brooks' NN Track Hall of Fame ceremony at the end of March. The Hall of Fame event coincides with the Conn-Madden Relays, and it was a good meeting point as Denbigh had competed there (and the boys won in 2007!). Of course, on that evening, my comment to him was "at least we get to see each other for a happy occasion this time." So often, our meetings commemorated sad events, such as Adrian’s Holiday’s memorial service.

I always think of Louis when I see a teenager walking the streets of Denbigh looking like he's ready to do something wrong. The thought goes, "too bad that kid never met Coach Bev." He was a rare person, a transformational figure, and one who did so much for so many of the teenagers around here, and over the years, as I witnessed our "babies" from Denbigh track accomplish one great thing after another, it stood as an ongoing testament to his work here. Athletes from other schools used to come work out at Denbigh because they needed their fix of "Coach Bev!" How many other coaches can claim that?

And in my honest opinion, with no offense intended to any of the other coaches, I always figured he gave up the most to be a part of the team - working with the kids from early morning to late into the night. Elizabeth and I are going to miss you immensely, but thank you for allowing us to be friends and for me to witness your work in person. Rest in peace, Coach. Here is the article I wrote for last Monday’s Daily Press. It doesn’t nearly say enough.

“Louis Beveridge, former throwing coach for the Denbigh High teams of the early 2000’s, passed away on Tuesday, June 12 at the age of 57.

At Denbigh, Beveridge coached two state AAA champions – Jaymes Brooks (2006 – indoor track shotput) and Terrence Riggins (2007 – outdoor track discus) for the Patriot boys’ team that won a combined six consecutive indoor and outdoor Peninsula District championships between 2005-2007. Brooks, a recent inductee into the Newport News Track Hall of Fame, later played right guard for the Virginia Tech football team and was a second-team all-ACC selection, while Riggins played fullback at William and Mary.

However, Beveridge’s legacy stretched far beyond the shot and discus circles, as evidenced by the outpouring of condolences from former community leaders and athletes from all over Newport News. Along with track, Beveridge was also an assistant coach on the football team under head coach Tracy Harrod.

Said former Denbigh principal Michael Evans on a social media post, “You were an asset as a parent, coach, and friend. My years as principal at Denbigh were filled with memories of your support and your love for people.”

Beveridge’s initial memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 19 at 1:00 PM at Faith Community Church, located at 417 Arlington Street, Greensboro, NC 27405. A separate service will be held in Newport News in the near future.”

As seen on MileStat.com: Spollen's Story

A ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Ocean Lakes High in Virginia Beach is well known throughout the state of Virginia for its rotating platoon of quality distance runners. Led by longtime coach Mike Nestor, this year’s team was well represented at the 6A State track meet at Todd Stadium.

The list was impressive and topped off with Brent Bailey, a triple gold medal winner at the indoor state meet, and a miler of extraordinary ability - one who carried a best time of 4:09 for the 1600 meters into this weekend’s meet. Tyler Lipps, a 4:17 miler, was also on the list. Both runners placed in the 1600, with Bailey taking the runner-up position and Lipps fourth.

Davis Young, a 1:55 800-meter runner, was also among the Dolphin state qualifiers. Young placed second in the 800, just behind Patriot’s Adam Wosahla.

However, it can be argued with an air of certainty that no Dolphin runner faced more adversity on the road to Todd Stadium than junior Will Spollen.

Spollen is a pleasant young man whose demeanor shows no sign of the struggle he has conquered to date. 

As a youngster, Spollen endured two brain surgeries to cure conditions that would require a medical degree to understand, much less spell. He does add that one of the surgeons who operated on him was Dr. Ben Carson, better known to many of us as a presidential candidate and current secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

While his childhood health issues are unrelated to his new ones, they begin to speak of Spollen’s ability to handle adversity and persevere.

His current situation made itself known in the middle of Spollen’s indoor season last year as a sophomore.

“I was running in the conference 3200 and just kind of ran out of gas,” said Spollen, in a matter of fact voice. “I totally forgot the last 800, but remember that my breathing was short and I was 30 seconds off my best time.”

A look at Spollen’s season time’s show a 16:18 at the Adidas XC Challenge in North Carolina followed by a 19:51 and 22:52 in subsequent weekday conference meets. Regardless of the exact moment, Spollen realized that “it wasn’t that I just ran a bad race.” In fact, he had reverted back to form and run 16:03 at the 2016 MileStat XC Invitational, with the race he spoke about being a 16:36 in a sixth-place Conference 1 championship effort.

A visit to the local cardiologist followed.

“He thought it was arrhythmia, but I know my body,” said Spollen. “That race hurt!”

A visit to another cardiologist, this one in Washington, DC, led to a procedure, one that ended with an implantable monitor for Spollen. While his heart vitals became easier to track, he was still not able to race at peak performance for the beginning of his sophomore outdoor season.

After a 10:22, followed by 10:35 and 10:56 performances in the 3200, Spollen seemed to find his stride again at the Lee-Davis Invitational, running a 9:57. However, his body paid for the effort.

“I’m a super positive guy, but that was the most frustrating feeling. At (Lee-Davis), I stumbled across the line. It was almost scary, but my thought was that I’m going to keep running.”

Two weeks later, he ran a PR, clocking 9:30 at the Dogwood Classic in Charlottesville. It’s a time he wouldn’t come close to until Saturday when Spollen placed eighth in the 6A 3200 in 9:41.29. Again, he fell to the track, but looked up to tell MileStat photographer Mary Ann Magnant, “That was a great race!”

Spollen credits some proactive changes with helping him continue to run at a high level. “I’ve been hydrating more, taking in more salt.” He also believes that saunas help. “Tyler Lipps talked me into it, and I was hesitant, but I think it widens my blood vessels and increases blood volume.” In spite of later bouts with plantar fasciitis and a stress fracture that elevated to a metatarsal fracture, Spollen pushes on.

“Running is what defines me and makes me most proud,” said Spollen. Speaking of his challenges, he adds, “It makes everything else so easy.”

His outlook for the future is uniquely positive. Now an All-State track athlete, Spollen looks toward “big goals” for the upcoming cross-country season. “I’m going to enjoy a week off, but get right back to running.”

“It’s not bad to be scared,” adds Spollen in a final thought. He quotes one of his favorite authors, adding, “Courage is being willing to face fear.” And with earnestness, he finishes his thought with an interesting perspective on his situation. “I’m thankful that a lot of this has happened by my junior year. Now I know what works and what doesn’t.”