TCIS preview: A wide-open race and a new league member

There’s excitement in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools.

In a league once dominated by Norfolk Academy, there’s no clear favorite this season.

“It’s getting tougher in this league, that’s for sure,” Norfolk Academy coach Dennis McCall said.

The league also has expanded to six teams. Norfolk Christian will play its first season of TCIS football, after three years as an independent.

More enthusiasm comes from the arrival of Rick Cox, a former Deep Creek assistant, as the head coach at Bishop Sullivan Catholic. Cox, who brings with him the intensity and mind set of Deep Creek football, has caused immediate talk of title contention among Crusaders faithful. Cox coached seven Hornets boys track and field teams to state titles, and was an assistant with two state runner-up football teams. He also runs an athletic training school that will help his players get faster, quicker and stronger.

Then there is Bishop Sullivan’s plan for a “Friday Night Lights” event Sept. 5, when the team will play under the lights for the first time at home since moving from Norfolk to Virginia Beach nearly two decades ago.

Norfolk Academy and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy tied for the league title last year. Add a rejuvenated Bishop-Sullivan to the mix, and three teams could be in contention.

That could be four with quarterback Brian Robinson’s arrival at Greenbrier Christian. Robinson played in the shadow of Salem star running back Kevin Whaley last season but had some sensational moments — including a four-touchdown playoff performance against Western Branch. In the TCIS, Robinson has the talent to take over a game.

The excitement could culminate in an Oct. 11 showdown between Nansemond-Suffolk and Norfolk Academy, a game that could be for the league title.

A look at each team in a predicted order of finish:

1. NORFOLK ACADEMY BULLDOGS

Last season: 4-5 overall, 3-1 TCIS

Coach: Dennis McCall, 12-8 in two seasons

Plays at: Commodore Barron Field located at Norfolk Academy, 1585 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk

Key players: WR/DB Lewis Affronti, 6-3, 190, sr.; WR/LB Jimmy Brewbaker, 6-1, 200, sr.; QB/DB T.J. Costen, 5-9, 165, soph.; RB/LB D.J. Covington, 6-6, 215, jr.; RB/LB Alec Dawson, 5-9, 160, sr.; RB/DB Conor Dewey, 5-9, 170, sr.; RB/LB Scott Heller, 6-0, 220, jr.; OL/DL Brad Johnson, 6-2, 200, sr.; OL/LB Zach Johnson, 6-3, 230, sr.; RB/DB Trevor Mia, 5-9, 170, sr.; QB/WR/DB William Scott, 6-0, 190, sr.

Bottom line: The league’s traditional powerhouse got a scare last year when the Bulldogs lost their final three games. Arguably the worst loss was a four-pointer to Nansemond-Suffolk that cost Norfolk Academy the outright title. The two finished in a tie for first place. The Bulldogs have used that as motivation. The result is what McCall said is one of the physically strongest teams the school has fielded. Couple that with 11 returning starters and a group of juniors who were part of a successful junior varsity, and there are the makings for another championship season. Skill position players will be complemented with good size on the line. But depth could be an issue.

2. NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK ACADEMY SAINTS

Last season: 6-4 overall, 3-1 TCIS

Coach: Monroe Wells, 8-12 in two seasons as the Saints’ head coach

Plays at: Arthur E. Jones Field at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, 3373 Pruden Boulevard (Route 460), Suffolk

Key players: RB/DB Rich Brummett, 5-9, 155, sr.; OL/DL Sean Buttery, 6-0, 210, jr.; WR/DE Michael Coburn, 6-2, 170, sr.; RB/DB Will Crenshaw, 5-11, 170, jr.; RB/LB J.R. Crowder, 6-0, 210, jr.; OL/DE Brian Franklin, 5-11, 180, sr.; OL/DL Baron Goodman, 6-4, 275, jr.; C/DL Jonathan Horton, 6-0, 190, jr.; OL/DL Harrison Levin, 5-11, 210, sr.; OL/DL Nate Lyons, 6-0, 260, sr.; OL/DL Bayard Mason, 6-0, 255, jr.; WR/DB Geoff Mason, 5-11, 160, sr.; QB/DB Hunt Odom, 6-0, 150, sr.; WR/DB Codi Oliver, 6-0, 160, sr.; RB/DB Kenny Rice, 5-10, 160, jr.; TE/LB Josh Todd, 6-2, 210, jr.; TE/DE Christian Upchurch, 6-0, 200, sr.; OL/DL Skylar White, 5-10, 195, sr.

Bottom line: What’s not to like about this team’s title hopes — 17 returning starters from last year’s league co-champion. Key to this season’s success offensively will be moving Odom into the starting quarterback role, and moving last year’s QB, Crenshaw, to running back. He’ll join Crowder, last year’s leading rusher, in the backfield. After running the ball about 80 percent of the time last year, Wells said he is looking to mix things up more. Todd leads the defense at linebacker. Oliver was the team’s leading tackler and is one of many all-conference returnees. The entire line on both sides returns, but depth could be a problem.

3. BISHOP SULLIVAN CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

Last season: 5-5 overall, 1-3 TCIS

Coach: Rick Cox, first season

Plays at: Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, 4552 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach

Key players: FB/LB Jeff Bugess, 5-10, 185, sr.; DB/WR/P Colton Cox, 6-2, 175, sr.; DE/RB Alex Feagin, 6-0, 210, sr.; OT/DT Michael Finch, 6-3, 250, sr.; WR/PK Zach Fitzpatrick, 5-11, 165, sr.; QB/DE Zach Goldsmith, 6-4, 210, sr.; FB/LB Andrew Kozub, 5-9, 180, sr.; QB/C B.K. McCaskill, 5-10, 170, jr.; WR David McKinley, 6-0, 160, sr.; TE/DE Ryan Nugent, 6-1, 185, sr.; RB/LB Matt Smith, 5-9, 165, sr.; OL/DL Tyler Smith, 5-11, 265, jr.; TE/DE Patrick Wirth, 6-2, 185, jr.

Bottom line: There is a ton of enthusiasm in the Crusaders’ camp. Much of that can be attributed to Cox. He brings a winning attitude, lots of intensity, and conditioning and strengthening techniques used at his training facility. “We’re bringing in that style and attitude that we had at Deep Creek,” Cox said. “But I can assure you I’m not bringing in that wing-T offense.” Cox was more of a defensive coach at Deep Creek and said his team held its own on that side of the ball in a recent scrimmage against Atlantic Shores. Among his standouts is Feagin, a deceptively fast running back and promising defensive end. “We’ve got great skill people, and we’re coming around on the line,” Cox said.

4. GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN GATORS

Last season: 7-4 overall, 2-2 TCIS

Coach: Heath Gibbs, 10-11 in two seasons

Plays at: H. Edward Bailey Field at Greenbrier Christian Academy, 311 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake

Key players: OL/DL Ben Barr, 5-10, 185, sr.; OL/LB Stephen Calendar, 5-10, 190, sr.; WR/DB Jeff Esteine, 5-11, 175, jr.; OL/DL Braelyn Gasser, 6-3, 190, sr.; RB/WR/LB Cullen Gasser, 6-2, 200, jr.; WR/DB T.J. Gay, 5-10, 150, soph.; OL/DL Mike Hill, 5-9, 190, sr.; QB/DB Nick Jesse, 6-1, 175, fresh.; RB/LB Matt McCloud, 6-2, 195, sr.; OL/DL Matt Monti, 6-0, 185, fresh.; OL/LB Alan Osborne, 5-10, 170, sr.; QB/DB Brian Robinson, 6-1, 190, sr.; WR/DB Aaron West, 6-1, 170, jr.

Bottom line: The Gators will have what amounts to a new team, with “seven to nine players who were supposed to be back transferring to other schools, and eight or nine others graduating,” according to coach Heath Gibbs. Add to that the fact there isn’t much size, and it would be easy to count Greenbrier out. But the Gators do have Matt McCloud at running back and linebacker, and quarterback Brian Robinson transferred in from Salem. Both are very fast, with the ability to break open a game. During an undefeated regular season last year for Salem, Robinson passed for 953 yards and nine TDs. Gibbs says “we’re going to use him and take advantage of his abilities.” Robinson will run and throw at QB, will return punts and kickoffs, and play defensive back.

5. NORFOLK CHRISTIAN AMBASSADORS

Last season: 5-5 overall; this is Norfolk Christian’s first football season in the TCIS

Coach: Esau McCaulley, first season

Plays at: Powhatan Field on the Old Dominion University campus, Norfolk

Key players: RB/LB Henry Askew, 5-9, 175, fresh.; TE/LB Drew Barnhart, 6-2, 195, sr.; RB/DB P.J. Clark, 6-0, 190, sr.; DL/OL George Foussekis, 5-8, 260, sr.; DB/WR Ben George, 6-0, 180, jr.; DB/WR Phillip Harper, 5-11, 175, sr.; OL/DL Richard Jordan, 5-9, 215, sr.; FB/LB Kwantie Moore, 6-2, 235, fresh.; LB/FB Daniel Morgan, 6-0, 180, sr.; OL/DL Jacob Porter, 6-0, 235, soph.; OL/DL Billy Rawls, 6-2, 235, soph.; OL/DL Chris Thompson, 6-0, 275, jr.

Bottom line: This fourth-year program starts its first season in the league with a new coach and a decent core of returning players. “We’re very excited about being a full-fledged member of the league,” McCaulley said. “We want to come out and be competitive.” With decent size, McCaulley’s team should be able to succeed with his plan of a balanced offense and a multiple-look defense. The Ambassadors have several transfers who will help the effort.

6. HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY NAVIGATORS

Last season: 4-5 overall, 1-3 TCIS

Coach: Tom York, 10-7 in two seasons

Plays at: Grace Field, 739 Academy Lane, Newport News

Key players: QB Will Banning, 6-0, 170, soph.;FB/LB Bryan Basnight, 6-2, 185, jr.; OL/DL Mario Buffa, 6-0, 210, sr.; OL/DL Eddie Clark, 6-2, 190, soph.; RB/DB Corey Cooper, 6-2, 185, soph.; DB Jimmy Henifin, 5-10, 180, soph.; WR/DB Stefan LeNoach, 6-3, 185, sr.; RB/DB Andrew Maser, 6-0, 175, soph.; C Sam McClelland, 5-10, 160, soph.; DL Marshall Pierce, 5-8, 170, soph.; TE Ben Rhodes, 6-2, 185, soph.; OL/DL Drew Small, 6-3, 230, sr.; OL/DL Ed Smith, 6-0, 255, sr.; RB Joel Stultz, 5-8, 160, sr.

Bottom line: The Navigators have some talent offensively. They’ll need to score plenty of points because the defense is filled with young, inexperienced players. The offensive line is big and has quite a few talented skill position players to block for. Sophomore quarterback Banning will try to run a multi-look offense featuring a balanced attack. Stultz and Maser will handle the bulk of the running load, although Basnight and Cooper could get plenty of touches.

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com