Football, cross country notes & commitments

New enrollment numbers shuffle football teams

A handful of South Hampton Roads teams have been shuffled under the Virginia High School League’s alignment for the 2009 and 2010 football seasons.

Kellam, a regular in the Division 6 playoffs, has been dropped to Division 5 because of lower enrollment, while Norview will play in Division 6.

The VHSL re-aligns teams every two years according to enrollment figures. Schools with the largest enrollments compete for Division 6 playoff spots; schools with smaller enrollments play for Division 5 berths.

Ocean Lakes, with an enrollment of 2,469, is the largest Eastern Region school, followed by Landstown (2,451), Western Branch (2,223) and Oscar Smith (2,163). Deep Creek (1,216), still reeling from the opening of Grassfield High two years ago, has the region’s smallest enrollment. Grassfield has the fifth-largest enrollment at 2,143).

For complete enrollment figures, visit: www.vhsl.org/athletics/football_boys ; and click Divisions.

Ocean Lakes’ Thomas, Sharpe invited to World Games

Ocean Lakes defensive back Shamarko Thomas and defensive end Brandon Sharpe have been invited to play in the Junior World Championship games from June 27-July 5 in Ohio.

The inaugural tournament features teams from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Sweden.

The games will be played in Fawcett Stadium, adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The U.S. team’s first game is against France on June 27 at 8 p.m.

“I got a call that said I had been invited to it,” said Thomas, a first-team All-Tidewater selection last season. “So, I’ve been working out for it. I go to training camp June 13 so I’m getting ready for it”

Sharpe and Thomas also will be teammates this fall when they attend Syracuse University. Sharpe will not attend the world games, instead choosing to go to summer school in preparation for Syracuse.

Stefen Lovelace, who is affiliated with the game, said every state nominated 10 and 20 players. A coaching staff was then put together to see which players best fit their team.

“I was very excited,” said Thomas, “because I didn’t expect to be in a game like that.”

First Colonial defensive back Drew gets Under Armour invite

Add First Colonial defensive back Nick Dew to the growing list of South Hampton Roads athletes who have been chosen to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-American game on January 2 in Orlando.

He will join Ocean Lakes wide receiver Justin Hunter and Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims and defensive lineman Evan Hailes.

In just its third year, the Under Armour All-America game has become one of the nation’s premier all-star games.

Florida State quarterback and former Bayside standout E.J. Manuel played in the inaugural game and West Virginia and former Great Bridge star Logan Heastie played in January.

Oscar Smith ranked sixth in national preseason poll

Football season doesn’t begin for another two months but already Oscar Smith, the defending Group AAA Division 6 champions, is getting attention.

MaxPreps, a national high school website, has the Tigers ranked No. 6 in its preseason poll.

The Tigers were 15-0 last season under coach Richard Morgan. They return many top players including, Alabama-bound quarterback Phillip Sims and defensive lineman Evan Hailes. Both have already been chosen to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-American game on January 2 in Orlando.

Cross country: Ed Lowery Benefit Scheduled For June 20

The second Coach Ed Lowery Cross Country Bash will be held June 20 at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake.

The event is in honor of Lowery, a longtime track coach who died last year after a two-year battle with lymphoma.

This year’s race will feature a 5K race at 8 a.m. and a 1-mile obstacle course at 9 a.m.

Funds raised from the event will be used toward cancer research. Organizers also plan to donate money to area high schools who are struggling with athletic funds because of the current budget issues.

For more information, contact event director Rob Carbaugh at (757) 714-1162 or at rjedcarbaugh@yahoo.com.

Norfolk Christian, Hickory looking for new coaches

- Norfolk Christian is accepting applications for the following varsity coaching positions: girls volleyball, baseball, girls soccer and wrestling.

Anyone interested should contact athletic director Michael Allen at (757) 233-8471 or michaelallen@norfolkchristian.org.

- Hickory is searching for a new varsity wrestling coach.

To apply, send a resume and three references to:

Dr. Woodley Koonce III, principal; Pieree Anderson, assistant principal; and Martin Oliver, athletic director; Hickory High School; 1996 Hawk Blvd.; Chesapeake, 23322.

Off to college

- Deep Creek guard Marcel Chesson has committed to play basketball at Allegany College in Cumberland, Maryland. Chesson, 6-foot-2, led the Hornets in scoring with 17.3 points a game.

- Booker T. Washington swingman Dijon Cuffee has committed to play basketball at Virginia State. He averaged 10 points and eight rebounds last season for the Bookers.

- Compiled by Larry Rubama and Jami Frankenberry