recruitNoVA Senior Top 30 - #6 - Brendan Heatherman (Mountain View)

Brendan Heatherman (photo by Joe Barnes)

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in and around the Northern Virginia region. Continuing our countdown at number six is senior Brendan Heatherman of Mountain View.

#6 Brendan Heatherman (2020 TE 6-4 240) – Mountain View High

The Mountain View tight end is a prime example of showcasing well in camps and turning the success into multiple offers.

Heatherman started his ascent within the college spotlight at the beginning of 2019, with a strong showing at the recruit757 Uncommitted Senior Showcase, and followed up in March with another showcase performance at the recruit757/Sparta Science Showcase. Within two months of the Sparta camp, Heatherman had earned seven offers and visits to Temple, Syracuse and Old Dominion. The number swelled to over a dozen in April with the addition of Richmond, UConn, Harvard and Yale.

Soon after, the husky tight end made a verbal commitment to another group of Huskies, being the UConn team from Storrs. As he said after committing, “I knew that I felt at home and welcomed at UConn. The coaching staff are really good people, and I really liked the campus and the facilities, and all that they had to offer for academics and football,”

In Heatherman, UConn coach Randy Edsall will gain a prototypical college sized tight end, albeit one that needs to recover from an ACL that was torn in May. However, known for his side-to-side speed, it is widely anticipated that Heatherman will be ready to roll in the “Dog Pound” when UConn resumes its AAC schedule for the 2020 season.

Said one message boarder wrote on UConn’s “The Boneyard” blog site after seeing Heatherman’s junior year video – “he can block, get open and make catches. I like the pickup.”

Mountain View, looking to build on last year’s 7-5 mark without their star tight end, has started the season 3-0 and will host James Monroe of Fredericksburg tonight.

recruit NoVA Top-30 Seniors - #10 - Noah Kim - Westfield

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 10 is Westfield quarterback Noah Kim.

#10 Noah Kim (2020 QB 6-2 170) – Westfield High School

One of the saddest season ending events from last season happened during the Class 6 state semifinal when Bulldog quarterback Noah Kim lay almost motionless after being sacked by a group of Eagle defenders. For the junior quarterback, the resulting broken fibula put an end to Westfield’s attempt to earn a fourth straight state title and snapped their 39-game winning streak. The Bulldogs fought valiantly with two fourth-quarter touchdowns reducing the lead to 35-28, and they were on the six-yard line of Freedom when their luck ran out.

Soon after the final whistle, attention turned to the future of their on-field leader and whether Kim would be able to play football again. From the sound of things, all is well this season for the tall, lanky signal-caller, as the Bulldogs are 2-0.

“Yeah, my leg is 100% back to normal. It feels like nothing ever happened to it,” Kim told recruitNoVA.com. He will enter this campaign with two main goals. The first came soon after he verbally committed to Virginia Tech, as doubters wondered why the Hokies would pursue a quarterback who barely tipped the scales at 170 pounds. Second, and more importantly, Kim would like to deliver one more state title to Chantilly, which would be his third.

He feels that players such as Taylor Morin, Joe Clancy, and Eugene Asante may be ably replaced.

“I’m very confident about this upcoming season and what we have as a team. I’d say to be on the lookout for Alex Richards, and Avery Howard Jr. at receiver. And Caleb Wheatland, E.T. Bushra, Tahj Summey, and Max Ahiakpo on defense, added Kim, who finished last season with over 1,800 yards passing and 23 touchdowns against only five interceptions. Isaiah Daniel also returns at running back and Kim himself has also packed on 15 pounds to weigh in closer to 185.

Now if only the season could start, and it will on August 30 with a home matchup against Battlefield.

“We are very hungry,” said Kim in a parting thought.

recruit NoVA Top 30 Seniors - #13 - Mitch Griffis (Broad Run)

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 13 is Broad Run quarterback Mitch Griffis.

#13 Mitch Griffis (2020 QB 6-0 190) – Broad Run High School

Another quarterback on a redemptive winning mission is Mitch Griffis of Broad Run. Griffis and his Spartans may have suffered the cruelest blow of all in last year’s playoffs as they cruised through the first 12 games (only one loss by forfeit) as arguably the best team in Northern Virginia before getting drop-kicked by Stone Bridge in the regional final by the score of 35-6.

For his senior season, and third as the starter, Griffis is free of off-field football distractions; in fact, he verbally accepted an offer to Wake Forest 13 months ago, as the first Deacon commit from the Class of 2020.

In fact, Griffis, who plays under the tutelage of his father, head coach Matt Griffis, exuded optimism recently when talking about this year’s Spartan team.

“We have all been working really hard, and pushing each other a ton,” Griffis told recruitNoVA. “We have a great group.” Breaking down the Spartans in greater detail, he added, “We return a lot of skill positions, so we are pretty experienced there, and I think we can continue to build chemistry.”

Griffis noted some losses, especially along the offensive line, although he feels that Broad Run has some players ready to step up and step into the vacant positions.

Surprisingly, Griffis did not mention the loss of former backfield mate Tim Baldwin, who gained over 1,000 yards for the Spartans last year, but has since transferred to Patriot High School.

The Spartans (2-0) will look to add to their fast start tonight as they travel to Dominion (0-2), with new coach Drake Woodard.

19 Years Later -- Remembering Mikey D

Today marks the 19th anniversary of perhaps the most horrific day in modern American history - the day when over 3,000 Americans were killed due to the acts of cowardly terrorists. I still can't believe it has been this long.

Today, just like I've done every September 11th since 2002, I pause to remember one of our friends from my alma mater, Wagner College. Michael DeRienzo was one of my friends and TKE brothers who had moved on after college to become a finance type of person and one who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the North WTC Tower on the day of 9/11/2001. To put our school's location in perspective, Lower Manhattan was right on the other side of New York Harbor from Wagner and many graduates had their senior picture taken from the roof of 15-story Harbor View Hall with the Twin Towers in the background. On that fateful day, many Wagner students were able to witness the explosions from their dorm room and the second plane appeared to have circled back toward Manhattan from just over the campus.

As a tribute, I wrote this piece for a special issue of the Wagnerian, our school newspaper which I was editor of in 1985-86. I also posted it to an online tribute website at the request of Ken Nilsen, fellow frater, and now Dean of Student Life at Stevens Tech in NJ. From this, Hank Nuwer, the site's caretaker, published it as part of a tribute to fallen fraternity and sorority members. Since then, Hank, a journalism professor and foremost authority on hazing and fraternal issues, has become a friend and mentor for me.

Anyhow, over the years, several people have asked for a copy of this tribute to our friend Michael DeRienzo, affectionately known as "Mikey D" to us at Wagner. On this, the day before the 10th anniversary of his death, in his honor, I would like to resubmit a writing from late in 2001, simply titled, Remembering Mikey D.

R.I.P. Michael DeRienzo -- 9/11/2001


Michael DeRienzo, Class of 1987, was one of many lost in Sept. 11 tragedy

xxx

I know that the tragic events of September 11th affected everybody that is going to read this. We continually feel the pain, and it is a horrible pain. Our hearts have reached out, and we feel for our families and friends.

The Wagner community lost good friends on that terrible day. Michael DeRienzo is the friend that some of us knew best, and with the help of his friends, I wish to tell you why our “Mikey D” meant so much to us.

Our Wagner history dates back 15 years or so, but the time frame really doesn’t matter. We did the same things as current students do. We played football on the Oval, painted the anchor for Homecoming, grabbed a bite in the Hawk’s Nest when the dinner menu looked bad, and as Tau Kappa Epsilon brothers, enjoyed our fraternity home. At that time, it was in a dark hallway under Cunard Hall.

Mike was a big part of our college experience. He was a Staten Islander and attended Wagner with his twin sister Lisa. They were very close, in a way that only twins can know. Their mother, Mrs. DeRienzo, also worked at Wagner, in the audio-visual department. She was a single parent, so it was just the three of them, and it must have been special to be that close on a daily basis.

Chris Ryan remembers Mike with one word – family. In January of 1986, the DeRienzos invited a large group of people over to their home to watch the Super Bowl. It was quite obvious to see how close they were. Last spring, Chris played the role of host when Mike and Steve Mehler passed through his home in Albany, en route to some skiing in Vermont. As he recalls, it was a meeting filled with big laughs, and big smiles. A couple of beers at Troy Pub, a quaint establishment where Chris is managing these days. A great visit. There was no reason to think it wouldn’t be repeated at a later date, but as Chris recalls, “I’m a handshaker, not a hugger. I’m glad I was a hugger that day.”

The day after the attack, Wade Appelman was stuck in Atlanta, GA, quite far from his home in Boulder, CO. There were no planes flying out, and a 22-hour car ride awaited. Wade began telling his work colleagues about his last “road trip.” Again, this dates back to 1986, more specifically, “Spring Break.” Wade, Raj Muthusamy, Dave Smolka, Pete Radigan and Mikey loaded their gear into Wade’s 1968 Mercury Montclair and headed to Ft. Myers, FL. To keep their expenses low, they spent a few days at Wade’s grandparents’ house.

Swimming in the family pool was fun, but Mike was getting edgy, so he invited Wade’s octogenarian grandfather out to a nice local restaurant… Hooters! Over a decade later, the grandparents still ask about the “nice boy that took Grandpa to that restaurant with the girls in the orange shorts.”

Mike had a sly sense of humor about him. I can recall bringing my then-fiancée’ to New York in 1990. A bunch of us went carousing through the city - Mike, Raj, Steve, possibly Brian Buckley, myself and my fiancée’ Ritz. Funny thing about our trips to Manhattan, during college and after; a visit to McSorley’s Pub always found its way onto the itinerary, and it certainly did so on this night. After  a while, my hollow leg filled up, and I had to excuse myself to go visit the trough (literally, it’s a ditch.) This was never a quick process at McSorley’s, with the single relief facility and the waiting line.

During my extended absence, one of the other customers decided to go talk with the single woman who, in spite of her engagement ring, looked to be alone. His advances were quickly shut down, not by Ritz, but my Mikey, who advised the gentleman that pursuing a conversation with “my wife!” was not a good idea. Embarrassed, the Romeo wannabe left.

Most often, Mike’s humor came out in a positive way. I always thought that Mike reminded me of Jerry Seinfeld, without the biting sarcasm. Years ago, Mike learned that I had taken up singing, country music nonetheless. For a New Yorker talking to a Virginian, he could have had a field day with this. Instead, his correspondences would ask whether I had met Garth Brooks yet. No, Garth never quite made it to the Cowboy Café on Route 1. 

Ernie Jackson has a much better recollection. Ernie and Mikey were fellow R.A.’s; in fact, his favorite memory of Mike was watching him perform the dreaded “Exterminator Duty,” required of all R.A.’s on Friday morning. Mike didn’t immediately understand Ernie. He was music major and played the guitar. Mike got a few laughs from that; after all, who goes to college to learn how to play the guitar? But it wasn’t mean spirited. In fact, after some time, it was obvious that it was his way of showing acceptance. It must have had some effect, as the two would laugh about those days later while riding the Staten Island railway from Dongan Hills. In Mikey’s honor, Ernie is having a custom guitar built and donated to Wagner College. From what I’ve heard, it’s going to be one awesome ax.

Ernie touched on some other points that I have heard many times in the three weeks since learning of Mike’s passing. His infectious smile, can-do attitude, positive outlook, they all existed. Tom Kettell mentioned Mike’s easy demeanor, and that was also a great part of Mike’s personality. But he possessed a charm that’s hard to explain.

Here’s one example of this. In the mid-1980’s, the Wagnerian office was located in Union 227. Its location made it the perfect shortcut to get to the cafeteria, and most of my TKE brothers traveled freely through the office before and after meals. Looking back, we should have charged a toll. This used to drive my dear friend and Wagnerian editor successor Mystica Alexander crazy to no end. But she did make mention of the fact that “well, at least Mikey D stops and says hi and how are things going? He’s probably the nicest of your fraternity brothers.” I may have to answer for this later, and the wording may not be exact, but the thought is there. Actually, it was Mystica who informed me of the tragic news of Mike’s death.

It was terrific to see that Mike turned into an accomplished adult. He graduated from Wagner in 1987, with a degree in business administration. After five years at U.S. Trust in Manhattan, he took a position as a broker with Cantor Fitzgerald, and worked on the 104th floor of 1 World Trade Center.

I only know one detail of Mike’s whereabouts on the morning of September 11th. He had arrived for work and was there at 8:46 AM, when a jumbo jet crashed into his building. He was at work and this was confirmed by a call from Todd Rutman, the father of Mike’s goddaughter. Mike assured Todd that they had heard an explosion downstairs and were leaving the building immediately. I don’t know the tone of this conversation, but I get the feeling that Mike was optimistic about his chances for survival that day.

A scholarship fund has been started in Mike’s name. Donations can be made out to the Michael DeRienzo Scholarship Fund, Wagner College, 1 Campus Road, Staten Island, NY 10301.

It is hard to confine the grief that we have all felt and are still feeling. There are other Wagner graduates who lost their lives on September 11th, and we mourn for Timothy Finnerty, Michael Clarke, Joseph Doyle, and Michael Cammarata. Although this is written for our friend and fraternity brother, the hurt is also felt for the people that we never had the opportunity to meet.

Our community at Wagner lost a great deal of innocence on September 11th. It is saddest to realize that some of our most innocent friends and family members were the ones who died. To our friend, Mikey D., we pray for your soul and for your family. You were a great friend to many of us, and we will greatly miss you. Goodbye, friend.

recruitNOVA Top 30 Seniors - #17 - Danny Garrity - Stone Bridge

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 17 is Stone Bridge lineman Danny Garrity.

#17 Danny Garrity (2020 G/T 6-7 310) – Stone Bridge High School

At last March’s recruit757/Sparta Showcase at Redskins Park, Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson confided that he felt his team (12-3, Class 6 state runner-up in 2018) would be better in the upcoming season because they had more experience, especially at the skill positions.

Looking back at Thompson’s comment, there was logic, which should be expected from someone who has won over 200 games in just 16 seasons. Mason Tatum would be graduating to the Apprentice School, but Billy Wiles had gotten some time under center and looks ready to take over the offense in 2019. At running back, Nick Mell and his 1,200-plus rushing yards would be leaving, but Jared Cole (recruitNoVA’s #30 athlete) had also gained over 1,000 yards, and averaged over 12 yards per carry, so the tailback position is still set.

Yet Thompson harbored one legitimate concern. He had guys who were playing well for him, but not enough people seemed to be aware of who they were.

And while he didn’t mention his large guard/tackle by name, Danny Garrity would be a perfect example of one of those players.

At 6-7 and 310 pounds, the senior carries the same body frame of another tackle who made a name for himself in Ashburn – Joe Jacoby. Like Jacoby, Garrity is somewhat soft-spoken, and wears glasses on occasion. In fact, if one did not know his size, he could be mistaken for a future doctoral candidate.

From the looks of the schools who have invited him to visit, the notion is not far-fetched. To date, Garrity has visited Duke, Villanova, Richmond, UConn and Temple.

Yet, it does not appear that any schools have offered yet, a shame considering that Garrity is ranked as high as #3 among Virginia HS linemen on some scouting sites, and played interference for a running attack that compiled almost 290 yards per game in 2018.

It shouldn’t take much longer for Danny Garrity to make it to the top of some college recruiting lists. Maybe this is where it starts.

recruitNoVA Top 30 Seniors - #19 - Kealey Davis (Freedom)

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 19 is Freedom lineman Kealey Davis.

#19 Kealey Davis (2020 DE/T 6-3 270) – Freedom High School

In order to duplicate the effort which landed them in the Class 6 championship game, Freedom
(Woodbridge) will have to find a way to replace Prince William County’s all-time leading rusher, Tyquan Brown.

Just as importantly, the Eagles will also need to find a Hog from their ranks, a blocker and lineman who can fill the very large shoes and jersey of Josh Fuga, who has taken his 6-foot-2, 308-pound frame to Blacksburg to play for Virginia Tech.

Kealey Davis aims to be that player.

As the strongside defensive end for Coach Darryl Overton’s Eagles, Davis played a key role on a defense that allowed only 12.2 points per game during a 13-game winning streak that bridged the opening game loss to Lake Taylor and state championship defeat at the hands of Manchester. He was also a tackle for the offensive line that allowed Brown to rush for over 2,000 yards last season, and past 6,700 for his record-breaking prep career.

This year, our #19 player, along with teammate Vershon Lee, will be the standout players on both sides of the ball, and will define how much times quarterback Quest Powell will have to make offensive decisions. As both are considered to be among the top-10 linemen in the state, the Eagle offense expects to replicate its 38-point per game average from 2018.

Davis has see demand for his services at the next level rise. The dozen teams who have expressed interest have mainly been FCS schools, with Hampton, Norfolk State and Buffalo making offers.

Freedom will begin its 6D regional championship defense on August 30 with a home game against Hayfield, a team they defeated 29-19 in the second round of last year’s playoffs.

recruitNoVA Top 30 Seniors - #21 - Anthony Eaton (T.C. Williams)

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in and around Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 21 is T.C. Williams running back Anthony Eaton.

#21 Anthony Eaton (2020 RB 6-0 190) – T.C. Williams High School

It is unlikely that Anthony Eaton will perform better at the beginning of this season, but even coming close should strike fear into the hearts of Titan opponents.

Last season, in the opening game, against Osbourn Park, Eaton sliced and diced his way through the Yellow Jacket defense for 233 total yards and a team-record tying six touchdowns as the
Titans trounced their Prince William opponent 65-32. The speedy back, along with teammate and friendly rival Robert Longerbeam were the top two cogs on a Titan offense that found the end zone with regularity. Eaton averaged over 90 yards rushing per game and an eye-popping 21 yards per catch, showing his propensity as a receiver out of the backfield.

However, T.C., under coach Jimmy Longerbeam stumbled to a 4-6 record, and it’s a sticking point for Eaton, who nevertheless professes hope for the 2019 campaign.

“We’re looking good on both sides of the ball, said Eaton, who has drawn interest from a host of schools, including VMI, Buffalo, Georgetown, Holy Cross, and most recently, Old Dominion and Massachusetts.

In Eaton, college teams are going to see a fast and deceptive back. He has also lent his talents to the T.C. track team, running on a sturdy 4×100 relay team with Longerbeam, Ibrahim Bangura, and Daniel Fox to run a 41.89 at the Legard Relays. His specialty event is the 400, where he has posted a time of 50.46. At March’s Sparta Showcase, he clocked a 4.45 in the 40 yards.

The Titans open the 2019 season on August 30 at Herndon High.

RecruitNoVA.com Top 30 Seniors - #22- Quest Powell (Freedom)

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in and around
Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 22 is Freedom quarterback Quest Powell.

#22 Quest Powell (2020 QB 6-1 175) – Freedom (Woodbridge) High School

As the song goes, sometimes you get one shot, one opportunity to get everything you ever wanted.

Last season, Quest Powell stepped up as A.J. Felton’s understudy, grabbed his one shot and flourished.

Powell had huge shoes to fill, as Felton accounted for over 3,900 yards of offense and 48 touchdowns in his senior year with the Eagles. Yet even Felton couldn’t match his successor in one category – reaching the Class 6 state championship.

Even though Powell and the Eagles dropped a decision to a record-setting Manchester team, the quarterback left his own mark in Freedom football history. Powell threw for over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns, while the Eagle offense rebounded from an opening-game 42-28 loss to Lake Taylor to run off 13 straight wins before the disappointing 49-7 defeat at the hands of the Lancers.

Powell has grown into his role and helped Freedom average just over 40 points per game last year. Physically, he also appears to be fitting into his position, with a senior roster listing considerably larger than last season’s 5-10 and 145.

However, Powell has lost two key cogs in his offense – lineman Josh Fuga (Virginia Tech) and running back Tyquan Brown, who left Darryl Overton’s squad as the single leading rusher in Prince William County history, with over 6,600 yards on the ground.

Still, some key players will be at his disposal, including junior wide receiver Umari Hatcher, who’s diving late-game touchdown sealed the Region 6D final for the Eagles last November. It also served as a key moment in Powell’s maturation process behind center as the touchdown came on his audibled play.

Freedom opens its season on August 30 with a home tilt against Hayfield, and its standout QB, Chase Soper.

recruitNoVA Top 30 (2019) - #25 Romy MIner - Broad Run

recruitNoVA Fab 30: Romello Miner WR #25
by Jim McGrath, recruitNoVA

It is the rare football player who stands out equally well on both sides of the ball. Over the past years, several have made their mark as offensive and defensive standouts – most notably Eugene Asante and Taylor Morin of Westfield, and South Lakes’ Spencer Alston.

Heading into the regular season, we recognize the top 30 senior prospects in and around Northern Virginia. Continuing our countdown at number 25 is Broad Run High School wide receiver Romello Miner.

#25 Romello Miner (2020 WR 6-2 186) – Broad Run High School

Yet as the Broad Run Spartans aim to avenge last year’s painful home playoff loss to Stone Bridge, they will be looking closely at their star wide receiver and cornerback to help them to get over the hump and into the state semifinals. In Romy Miner, they have that player.

Miner, who transferred into the Ashburn school from the Bullis School in Maryland (same
school which produced new Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins, Jr.), made an immediate impact on the Spartans. At wide receiver he shared first-team all-Potomac District and Region 5C honors with Tai Felton of Stone Bridge and Tyler Savage from John Champe. Miner, whose full first name is Romello, also snatched up second-team All-District honors at cornerback.

Look for more this year. Miner has filled out, carrying 186 pounds on his six-foot-one frame, yet his 4.54 40-yard speed should not be affected, allowing for his speed game to take over as he catches passes, either from Mitch Griffis, his quarterback with the Spartans, or another opposing quarterback. In Miner’s perfect world, he will catch a pass from most of the QB’s in Loudoun County.

Last year, the senior picked off three balls, but his strength was in his ability to get in the way of oncoming passes, as noted by his 13 breakups, which tied a Broad Run team record. Offensively, Miner led the Spartans with 54 receptions, which totaled 619 yards and a team-high 11 touchdowns.

His contributions helped both ways as Broad Run ran off to an 11-2 record, with the defense allowing only ten points per game. However, the season came to an abrupt and shocking end as Stone Bridge toppled the Spartans 35-6 in an all-Ashburn region final.

To date, Central Michigan and Fordham have been the leading two suitors for Miner, but with the loss of Tim Baldwin, who transferred, Miner should be the focal point of Griffis’ receiving corps, with big numbers to follow. The Spartans open play at home on August 29 against Tuscarora.

Recruit NoVA Top 30 Seniors - #30 - Jared Cole (Stone Bridge)

As Stone Bridge prepares to make yet another state championship run at the Class 5 level, their
star running back is ready to cap his successful prep career before heading north to don the dark red, gray, and black of the Massachusetts Minutemen.

But Jared Cole knows there is still unfinished business to take care of in Ashburn.

On the heels of last year’s disheartening 37-26 state final loss to four-time defending champion Highland Springs, the rising senior and his teammates are ready for the challenge of winning states.

“I think we have a good shot. Obviously we need to grow as a team over the season but we have play makers all over field on offense, and a strong defense this year,” said Cole, who will return to his tailback position this year as the featured back. “I think we also have a lot more experience from the season last year and know what it takes to get to the (state final) game and to win it.”

Last season saw the emergence of the 5-9, 180-pound Cole as a quick threat and added weapon to a backfield that also included Nick Mell and his 1,200 yards of rushing. Cole, however, made his own mark, rushing for over 1,000 yards on just 87 carries for an eye-popping 12-yard per carry average. His hands were also a benefit for the Bulldogs out of the backfield as the junior grabbed 20 catches for 306 yards. In all, Cole accounted for 1,426 total yards and 18 touchdowns, as Stone Bridge marched to a 12-3 record, stunning Broad Run in the 5C Region championship before falling to the Springers in the Class 5 state championship.

In the Broad Run game, it was Cole’s 30-yard rushing touchdown that gave the Bulldogs a 21-6 lead just before halftime and took all of the home field momentum away from the Spartans.

Cole’s versatility captured the eye of several schools, including Maryland and Georgetown. Yet in the end, it was running back Coach Fredi Knighten from UMass who made the winning pitch to earn the services of the Minutemen’s new running back. In fact, UMass may have extra plans for Cole, who has also returned a few punts and kickoffs for Coach Mickey Thompson.

Says Cole, “They (UMass) want me at running back, but see me able to catch balls out of the backfield, play in the slot a little, but primarily running back.”

In other words, a role similar to another favorite football son from New England – one Julian Edelman.

The Bulldogs will launch their regular season on August 30, with an away opener against Centreville.

Legendary T.C. Williams Football Coach Bill Yoast Passes at 94

One of the icons of Alexandria sports history is gone. Bill Yoast, former football coach at Francis C. Hammond and T.C. Williams High schools passed away on Friday. He was 94.

Yoast, who was born in 1924, grew up in Florence, Alabama, and was a star high school athlete. After high school, he served three years in the Air Force before settling on Georgia Military College and Mercer University, where he continued his athletic career, as well as earning a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education. He later earned a Masters, and Ed.S. degree from Peabody College in Nashville.

Yoast decided to devote his life to teaching and coaching. His initial foray as a football coach was not successful as his first team at Sparta High (GA) went 4-35-1 under his tutelage from 1949-1952. He had more success with his second team, Roswell High, posting a 25-33-1 record from 1954-59, including a region title in 1956.

However, Yoast and his family, which included wife Betty, and four daughters: Bonnie (1951–2003), Angela (born 1956), Sheryl (1962–1996), and Deidre (born 1968), moved to Alexandria in the late 1950’s, and Yoast found his greatest football success, coaching at Francis C. Hammond High. Under Yoast, the Admirals won the Northern Virginia regional championship in 1969.

Yet it would be Yoast’s next move that eventually made him famous. In 1971, in response to the Supreme Court ruling on the Swann vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education case, which legitimized busing as a method to achieve desegregation, the city of Alexandria adopted the K6-2-2-2 Plan (Kindergarten through sixth grade for Elementary school, two years in Middle school, two years in junior (Grades 9-10) high school and two years in Senior (Grades 11-12) high School). The plan was to bring racial and economic balance to the city school system. With the Alexandria school board voting to integrate schools, Hammond and George Washington High schools became the city junior high schools for 9^th and 10^th graders, leaving a newer school, T.C. Williams, built in 1965, as the only senior high school in the city.

In an effort to quash racial tension, Yoast accepted a position on the staff of newly hired T.C. football coach Herman Boone, who had moved from North Carolina to accept the head position. The bonding of Boone and Yoast, and the effect on the Titan team would form the storyline of Disney’s 2000 movie “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington as Boone, and Will Patton, as Yoast.

The 1971 team that formed the backbone of the movie, won the Virginia state championship while compiling a 13-0 record and #2 national ranking. Defense was the team’s calling card, and the Titans allowed just 45 points during the season, while pitching eight shutouts, including one in the 27-0 state final win over Andrew Lewis. (Note: The close game over Marshall which served as the movie’s “state final” was a 21-16 win for T.C. in Week 5).

Yoast also coached baseball and track in Alexandria, and he was named a Coach of the Year in both Georgia and Virginia. After retirement, Yoast moved to Fenwick Island, DE, where he was well known for his newfound fame, as well as his beachside residence, aptly named “The Coach House.”

Lake Braddock's Edwards Sees Early Recruiting Interest (as seen on RecruitNoVA.com)

For Lake Braddock quarterback Billy Edwards, the fire to get back into competition is as obvious as his fiery red hair.

“I just have to enjoy the (off-season) process and get ready to ball out with my brothers this year,” said Edwards, who enjoyed a breakthrough year with the Bruins in 2018. After a rough 1-2 start, Lake Braddock reeled off six wins in a row, only to drop a pair of close decisions to South County in the season finale and opening playoff round. One of the reasons for the turnaround was the maturation of their junior quarterback.

In three games, against Oakton, Yorktown and Fairfax, the 6’2”, 180-pounder threw for four scores, and Edwards finished his junior season with 2,247 yards passing and 28 touchdowns.

So, how is he preparing for the encore?

recruitNoVA.com talked with Edwards at their showcase, held at Redskin Park in Ashburn, and co-headlined with Sparta Science, in March. At that camp, he spoke of the quality of the competition and looked forward to more opportunities.

He has not been shy about finding them. “I have the Nike Regional next weekend, so I’ve been preparing for that,” said Edwards. “I have been working a lot on my mechanics and tuning them up before camps and college workouts.”

The heat is also starting to rise with his recruitment process.

“I have started talking with a few new schools, such as Maryland, Syracuse and Virginia Tech,” he added. “I am currently deciding my camp schedule for the summer, and am planning on attending about 10-12 college one-day camps.”

Lake Braddock, coached by Mike Dougherty, will also be busy on the summer circuit, with 7-on-7 passing competitions at Falls Church and Mount Vernon on the menu. The expectation will be to develop the symmetry among the offensive players with the hope of improving from last year’s squad, which went 7-4. A deeper run into the Class 6 playoffs would also be a boost for the Bruin program.

Of course, there is one other detail to tend to.

“I’m hoping to come out with a few offers this summer after all the camps, but if not, I’ll just keep working until it’s my time,” said Edwards in a concluding thought.