Football notebook: Robinson not eligible to play QB for Greenbrier

Greenbrier Christian opened its season last week with a blowout loss to Hampton Christian — and without quarterback Brian Robinson.

Robinson, a transfer from Salem in Virginia Beach, had hoped to repeat his senior season with the Gators. But he had exhausted his public school eligibility — and therefore his eligibility in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. His hardship appeal to the TCIS was turned down.

The saga, though, might not be over.

Robinson’s family and Greenbrier Christian administrators say that though Robinson is ineligible according to TCIS rules, he’s not ineligible under Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association guidelines. Robinson’s family has hired an attorney.

“They were pursuing it,’’ said H. Ron White, Greenbrier Christian’s superintendent, ''and we left it up to them as to what they wanted to do.”

As for the TCIS’ decision, Robinson “left Salem last January after completing his football eligibility, so he had no more eligibility in public schools,” said Bishop Sullivan Catholic athletic director Tom Kilpatrick, who participated in the appeal vote. “You cannot have used up your eligibility in one school system and transfer to the TCIS and gain eligibility.”

Kilpatrick declined to talk specifics about Robinson’s hardship appeal or results of the vote.

Cox kicker Jarrett in a class all to himself

Cox’s Drew Jarrett is the only kicker in South Hampton Roads’ high school football history to make two career field goals of 50 yards or more.

Jarrett, who kicked a 50-yarder last season, booted a 54-yarder Friday in a loss to Ocean Lakes. It was the third-longest field goal in South Hampton Roads high school history.

He trails First Colonial’s Jeff Heath (58-yarder in 1983) and Norfolk Academy’s Craig Jones (55-yarder in 1975).

“I think that kick would have been good from 58 yards because he had a little bit of wind at his back, and it went right down the middle,” Falcons coach Bill Stachelski said. “Unfortunately, those were the only points we scored.”

Stachelski said Jarrett’s leg is getting him interest from colleges.

“James Madison has expressed a lot of interest, and over the summer he went to Virginia Tech and kicked for coach (Frank) Beamer,” he said. “He’s also gotten interest from N.C. State and North Carolina.”

So what is Jarrett’s range?

“He feels real confident from 45 and under,” Stachelski said. “But who knows? With the right wind, I think he could maybe kick a 60-yarder. I just hope we can get him more opportunities and hopefully win some games for us.”

Great Bridge kicker kept deep creek in a hole

Deep Creek’s offense stared at a long field to start nearly every possession in its season-opening loss to Great Bridge.

Wildcats kicker Aric Speziale, a junior, booted five kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and sent another to the 2-yard line. That last one was into a stiff wind.

That was bad news for a young Hornets team using a new offense under first-year head coach David Waddell.

“That kicker’s one heckuva kicker,’’ Waddell said. ''I haven’t seen one like that come through here in a while. When you put our backs up against the wall at the 20 every time, it’s a long field to look at.”

Wildcats coach Pete Gale said he’ll send Speziale on for a field goal within 40 yards.

On a late fourth-and-4 at the Deep Creek 24-yard line — which makes for a 41-yard field goal try — Gale decided to keep his offense on the field. Great Bridge scored a touchdown three plays later in a 34-12 victory.

“I had to think a little bit, but it was against the wind,” Gale said. “But anything inside of 40, we’re going to give him a shot.”

With a victory in hand, Grassfield aims for more

Grassfield got its first on-the-field victory last week, 35-6 over Nansemond River.

Last season, the Grizzlies earned their lone victory in their inaugural season because Nansemond River forfeited for using an ineligible player in defeating Grassfield.

“Last year I think we scored only 44 points the whole season,” senior wideout/safety Curtis Campbell said. “And after one game, we’re already close to that point total.”

But Campbell isn’t satisfied with just one victory.

“I haven’t always played on a losing team,” said Campbell, who was at Deep Creek before Grassfield opened in 2007. “I’m not so concerned about winning one game but more on having a winning season.”

Bishop Sullivan excited to play under the lights

Bishop Sullivan Catholic athletic director Tom Kilpatrick will watch the weather forecast with great anticipation this week.

The reason is that Bishop Sullivan will play host to its first-ever night game Friday when the Crusaders play Portsmouth Christian. But Tropical Storm Hanna could hit Hampton Roads with strong winds and rain.

“So I’m hoping for good weather,” Kilpatrick said. “Not only are we worried about rain but also the wind because it could blow over the lights.” Bishop Sullivan’s athletic association is renting eight light stands for the game. Each stand cost about $75.

Rick Cox, Bishop Sullivan’s first-year head coach, said his players can’t wait to play a night game at home.

“If you just mention it to them, their eyes get real big,” he said. “They are all excited because growing up all they’ve seen is Friday night football. I’m not sure who’s more excited, the school administration, the kids or the parents. It’s going to be a real big deal for them.”

The game begins at 7 p.m.

There’s a new attitude at Lakeland under Ferebee

For the first time since 2002, Lakeland won its first-on-the-field season opener.

The Cavaliers, under first-year head coach Glenwood Ferebee, defeated Hickory 34-7.

In 2003, Lakeland earned a victory because Maury forfeited for using an ineligible player.

Ferebee — who has been an assistant at Princess Anne, Salem, Norcom, Green Run and Booker T. Washington — said the victory was satisfying but added that the Cavaliers are far from accomplishing their goals.

“I’m really focused on telling them to act like they’ve won before and get them to the point where they expect to win,” Ferebee said. “I’m trying to get the kids to believe and trust what I say.”

Ferebee thinks the difference is attitude and his coaches.

“Last year they kind of lacked enthusiasm,” he said, “so I’ve brought some coaches in here who are helping with that.”

Lakeland’s last winning season was 2001, when the Cavaliers finished 6-4.

New Ocean Lakes coach not taking holidays off

Ocean Lakes’ first-year head coach, Chris Scott, got a big surprise over the weekend when he opened his e-mails and saw that many parents were upset about the Dolphins practicing on Labor Day.

“The kids were ready, but the parents had cookouts and plans, and they weren’t too happy,” Scott said. “I told them we can either stay home and have cookouts and get fat, or we can go out and get better.”

Scott, who has the Dolphins off to a 2-0 start, held a Monday morning practice since “it was the last free evening of the summer for them.”

The Dolphins play host to Bayside on Friday in a battle of teams ranked in South Hampton Roads’ top 10.

For Kellam, fourth down is another reason to run

Kellam coach Chris DeWitt has faith in his offense.

DeWitt went for it on fourth down three times in the Knights’ victory over Landstown last week.

The Knights converted twice, on a fourth-and-2 and a fourth-and-6. Running back James Taylor broke off runs of 31 and 15 yards.

“(Coach DeWitt) said we needed to get it,” Taylor said. “And I got it for him.”

DeWitt also has confidence in Taylor and his offensive line.

“In our scheme he has to be patient and wait for stuff to set up,” DeWitt said of Taylor. “But on fourth down he’s not real patient, and he finds a little crease and shows off his burst of speed.”