VIRGINIA BEACH
The prospect of a new defensive scheme, new coordinator and seven new starters instills little confidence in a first-year head coach.
But Chris Scott’s misgivings are gone five games into his first season at Ocean Lakes.
The Dolphins have given up 33 total points — fewer than any other Beach District team.
“Our defense has put us in a lot of good positions and made it easy with some of the athletes we have,” Scott said. “They’ve exceeded our expectations.”
Ocean Lakes’ surprising defense begins a key district stretch Friday when Kellam, ranked sixth in South Hampton Roads, visits the No. 5 Dolphins.
Ocean Lakes is tied with Green Run at 5-0 atop the Beach, followed by the Knights (5-1), who lead South Hampton Roads in total offense. Running back James Taylor is 58 yards short of 1,000 and along with backfield mate Sean Abrams has helped Kellam average 312.5 rushing yards a game.
“They know what they want to do,” Scott said, “and they’re going to do it until someone steps up and stops it.”
Friday, it’s the Dolphins’ turn to try.
Scott is a former Ocean Lakes assistant who took over for longtime coach Jim Prince. Scott brought in defensive coordinator Chris Ramey from Landstown and defensive backs coach Jeff Inman, who played at Hampden-Sydney with Scott.
The staff switched from a 4-3 base defense to a 4-4.
Defensive backs Greg Ringo and Shamarko Thomas, linebacker Jonathan Godfrey and lineman Wes Moulton returned. But the defense has gotten a boost from newcomers Brandon Sharpe and Courtney Tate at defensive end.
“They’ve been everything we’ve asked — aggressive and fast,” Scott said.
Meanwhile, inexperience and penalties have slowed the Dolphins’ new spread offense.
“We have to get more disciplined and start focusing on what we do,” wide receiver Justin Hunter said. “We have to stop making bad decisions and depending on our defense.”
Staff picks:
Jami says Kellam 21, Ocean Lakes 14
Larry says Kellam 28, Ocean Lakes 21
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