Preview of small Virginia and N.C. colleges

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Coach Danny Rocco, third season at Liberty (14-8)

Last year 8-3, 4-0 Big South

Returning starters 5 on offense, 6 on defense

Impact players The preseason Big South Offensive Player of the Year, RB Rashad Jennings, is expected to build off a 2007 in which he gained 1,113 yards and scored 15 TDs. Brock Smith, who threw for 2,226 yards last year, is also back. Three of the four starters in the secondary, including Patrick Calvary, are returning. Calvary had four interceptions in 2007.

Local connection Former Maury LB Jamal Giddens is expected to compete for playing time. Rocco is looking to add depth to the middle of the defense and Giddens has caught his eye.

Bottom line Rocco, the former University of Virginia assistant, was rewarded with a contract extension after the Flames won the Big South last year for the first time. Many expect them to be even better in 2008.

VMI

Coach Sparky Woods, first season at VMI, 12th overall (63-46-5)

Last year 2-9, 0-4 Big South

Returning Starters 7 on offense, 8 on defense, kicker

Impact players Sophomores James Boatright and Ben Brandt anchor a strong offensive line that helped guide VMI to its best offensive season in terms of yardage last year. The Keydets averaged 402.2 ypg. RB Howard Abegesah is back. He produced five 100-yard rushing games last season. Starters Andy Viola, Josh Wine and Damiso Alexander return on the defensive line .

Local connection Sophomore strong safety Kris Ware is expected to make an impact. The former Deep Creek player missed last season but is expected to start after winning the job in the spring. Sophomore Bryan Barnson of Western Branch will reprise his role as one of the team’s top receivers (13 catches, 292 yards).

Bottom line This has all the makings of a rebuilding year: Poor performance last season, new coach, new systems. Expect some modest gains.

AVERETT

Coach Michael Dunlevy, seventh season at Averett (27-31)

Last year 0-10, 0-7 USA South

Returning starters 8 on offense, 7 on defense

Impact players Senior Shan Fairbanks and sophomore Philip Kwiatkowski will battle for the starting QB slot. The Cougars are deep at receiver .

Local connection Jeremy Smith (Norview) should be a bright spot on the offensive line .

Bottom line Averett went from tied for first in the conference in 2006 to last in 2007 . With 20 seniors, the Cougars have leadership, but they need to find some consistency .

BRIDGEWATER

Coach Michael Clark, 14th season at Bridgewater (91-53-1)

Last year 7-3, 3-3 ODAC

Returning starters 1 on offense, 3 on defense

Impact players Receiver Chris Tichacek is the only starter back on offense; he had six catches for 57 yards and a TD last season. RB David Argaud rushed for 277 yards and should see the ball more.

Local connection Nine from South Hampton Roads mark the roster; sophomore DB Brandon Mitchell (Tallwood) is a projected starter.

Bottom line Since 2000, Bridgewater has had the 13th-best winning percentage of the 629 NCAA teams. This year’s young squad could struggle early, but that doesn’t concern Clark: “There is no rule that a young team cannot be good,” he said.

EMORY AND HENRY

Coach Don Montgomery, fourth season at E&H (11-19)

Last year 4-6, 1-5 ODAC

Returning starters 8 on offense, 9 on defense

Impact players Junior QB Daniel Booher (1,341 yards, 16 TDs) returns after an injury-plagued 2007. The team’s offensive MVP, Jonathon Hawki ns, led the Wasps in catches (24), yards (551) and TDs (10).

Bottom line The Wasps have a strong rushing attack but need to find answers in o ther areas to win more games than in 2007. Having a healthy QB could help .

FERRUM

Coach Dave Davis, 15th season at Ferrum (71-65)

Last year 5-5, 4-3 USA South

Returning starters 6 on offense, 5 on defense

Impact players Ferrum welcomes back sophomore RB Mike Vann, who had a great freshman year. The league Rookie of the Year piled up 1,434 all-purpose yards and 12 TDs.

Local connection Seniors Nic King (Princess Anne) and Justin Gibbs (Kellam) will anchor the offensive line.

Bottom line Ferrum led the USA South in rushing in 2007 and, with the return of Vann, the team should have a strong ground game again .

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY

Coach Marty Favret, ninth season at Hampden-Sydney (54-27)

Last year 8-3, 5-1 ODAC; won first conference title since 1987

Returning starters 5 on offense, 7 on defense

Impact players Senior TB Josh Simpson and junior QB Corey Sedlar return. Simpson broke countless school and conference records and had 21 rushing TDs in 2007 – including seven in one game. Sedlar set a school record for completions wi th 265.

Local connection Senior C.C. Hagy of Kempsville will compete for time at strong safety.

Bottom line Hampden-Sydney faces a difficult task in defending its title but, with the ODAC Coach of the Year and a number of key players back, it should be up to the task .

NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE

Coach Michael Vite, first season at Newport News Apprentice

Last year 5-5, 1-3 ACFC

Returning starters 6 on offense, 7 on defense

Impact players Record-setting RB Sam Arnold should continue to be the workhorse for the Builders. Phillip Caralla, Last year’s punter, will likely be the starting QB.

Local connection The Builders boast a handful of locals, most notably Lake Taylor grad Ronald Blount at safety .

Bottom line Vite brings a wealth of defensive knowledge after spending 14 years as a defensive coordinator .

RANDOLPH-MACON

Coach Pedro Arruza, fifth season at Randolph-Macon (15-24)

Last year 8-2, 5-1 ODAC

Returning starters 7 on offense, 7 on defense

Impact players The Yellow Jackets return junior RB Zak Thornton, whose 1,591 yards led the ODAC. Brandon Braner is expected to start under center after completing 100 of 198 passes with 11 TDs Last year .

Local connection Eight on the roster hail from Hampton Roads, including senior LB Tristan Carr (Western Branch), a likely starter .

Bottom line The Yellow Jackets are coming off a historic season, boasting the biggest win-loss turnaround nationally in any division .

SAINT PAUL’S

Coach Willard Bailey, fifth season at Saint Paul’s (11-19), 35th overall (222-131)

Last year 5-5, 4-3 CIAA East

Returning starters 10 on offense, 10 on defense

Impact players Clinton Gee will lead the Tigers linebackers after recording 57 tackles in ’07. All-CIAA DB Gregory Toler had an interception and seven breakups to go with 37 tackles .

Local connection Granby grad Michael Thornton, a tight end, caught 10 passes for 135 yards .

Bottom line The Tigers should be in good shape, having lost only one starter on each side of the ball.

SHENANDOAH

Coach Paul Barnes, seventh season at Shenandoah (26-35)

Last year 2-8, 2-5 USA South

Returning starters 6 on offense, 8 on defense

Impact players Senior DB Dionte Beatty heads the list of returnees. Beatty started every game the past two seasons and led Shenandoah with 76 tackles en route to being a first team All-USA South selection for the second straight year in ’07 .

Local connection A trio of locals round out the Shenandoah roster, including junior receiver E.J. Brown (Green Run), the most experienced returnee in the passing game .

Bottom line The Hornets get a new artificial turf field this fall at Shentel Stadium and hope it means a fresh start after a dis mal 2007.

VIRGINIA-WISE

Coach Bruce Wasem, seventh season at Virginia-Wise (30-35)

Last year 9-2, 4-1 Mid-South East

Returning starters 8 on offense, 6 on defense

Impact players Senior QB Randy Hippeard returns after topping the NAIA charts in passing efficiency and ranking second in total offense. Junior WR Matt Barbour will be a key in the offense .

Local connection Of the nine South Hampton Roads athletes on the roster, six are freshman. But three seniors will see prominent action: OT Henry Potter (Salem), TE Paul Williams (Landstown) and DL Reggie Dorsainvil (Salem).

Bottom line Last year, the Highland Cavaliers claimed their first conference title in six years and ranked first in the country in scoring offense and pass efficiency. With a wealth of talent returning, the Cavs are hoping to build on that success.

VIRGINIA STATE

Coach Andrew Faison, seventh season at Virginia State (30-30)

Last year 4-6, 3-4 CIAA East

Returning starters 8 on offense, 6 on defense

Impact players All-CIAA WR Davian Richards returns after 469 yards and eight scores in 2007. The Richards-Jerome Choice receiver tandem could spell trouble for opponents.

Local connection Return specialist Devon Wiggins, a Landstown grad, is back to anchor the secondary .

Bottom line The Trojans showed improvement on offense and defense in 2007 and ranked second in total offense. But blown opportunities inside the red zone were costly; VSU will need to take better advantage of those chances this season .

VIRGINIA UNION

Coach Greg Richardson, first season at VUU

Last year 9-3, 6-2 CIAA East; lost CIAA title game to Shaw.

Returning starters 10 on offense, 10 on defense

Impact players 2007 CIAA Player of the Year Lamar Little was a sensation last season and VUU is glad to have him back under center. The southpaw threw for 2,340 yards and 28 TDs . VUU returns a solid secondary, highlighted by defensive rookie of the year Andre LeBlanc II.

Local connection Tarian Donaldson (Tallwood) rushed for 698 yards and seven scores; he headlines the Panthers backfield. All-American Kynneth Moses of Indian River returns to the O-line.

Bottom line Virginia Union is coming off its best season in more than 15 years and will field an almost identical team in 2008 .

WASHINGTON & LEE

Coach Frank Miriello, 14th season at Washington & Lee (67-61-1)

Last year 6-3, 4-2 ODAC

Returning starters 7 on offense, 5 on defense

Impact players Stuart Sitterson amassed 1,735 yards and seven TDs last season and should be a big contributor again in 2008 .

Local connection Placekicker Peter Alston of Norfolk Academy .

Bottom line An inexperienced secondary could spell trouble for the Generals .

CHOWAN

Coach Tim Place, first season at Chowan, third overall (11-11)

Last year 2-9

Returning starters 9 on offense, 8 on defense

Impact players The Hawks return four of their top receivers, including James Fox, who led the team in receptions, receiving TDs and punt return s.

Local connection Four locals – all sophomores – are on the roster.

Bottom line Chowan will see several firsts this year, with a new coach and a new league. The Hawks will be looking to find their way in the Western Division of the CIAA, but they have a tough road ahead : Seven of the team’s 10 games are away from home.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE

Coach Waverly Tillar, sixth season at ECSU (21-31)

Last year 5-5, 5-2 CIAA East

Returning starters 5 on offense, 5 on defense

Impact players Curtis Rich is penciled in as the starting QB. He was 40 of 94 with three interceptions last year, throwing for 416 yards. Tillar expects to get help at LB from Tolbert Matthews, a transfer from Delaware State.

Local connection The Vikings have a slew of players from the Tidewater area and Tillar is expecting big things from WR Dexter Manley (Oscar Smith), a James Madison transfer. Kempsville grad Preston Duar te is crucial at cornerback.

Bottom line The Vikings fell short of a second consecutive trip to the CIAA title game last season but are optimistic heading into 2008. ECSU was picked to finish second in the East behind defending divisional champ Virginia Union.