High school football preview 2011 | Beach District

The Marlins ended Oscar Smith’s 49-game Eastern Region winning streak last year, advancing to the Group AAA Division 6 state semifinals and losing less than half their starters, earning the early designation as favorites. Their biggest threat, at least in their district, should come from the SunDevils.

Both won playoff games last year, and each is led by a junior quarterback considered to be among the best in their class: Bayside’s Deion Stitt and Salem’s Bucky Hodges.

While Ocean Lakes should also have a say in the district race, it’s likely that the year’s marquee game will come in Week 2: Bayside vs. Salem.

“Everyone is already talking about the second game of the season,” Cox coach Bill Stachelski said.

“I don’t really know how you can have anyone but those two at the top,” Tallwood coach Jason Keppel said.

The rest of the district should be an open competition, and an important one, since five Beach District teams advanced to the postseason last year, the most of any district.

A look at the Beach District, in predicted order of finish:

1.  BAYSIDE MARLINS

Last season 13-1 overall, 10-0 district

Coach Darnell Moore, 56-51 in 10 seasons at Bayside; 162-90-4 in 24 seasons overall

Impact players WR/DB Quin Blanding, 6-2, 195, soph.;WR/S Anthony Cooper, 6-0, 185, sr.; RB/CB Taquan Mizzell, 5-10, 180, jr.; OL/DL Mike Phillips, 6-2, 280, sr.; QB Deion Stitt, 5-11, 170 jr.

On the field Last year’s star, WR/DB Demetrious Nicholson, is showing just how valuable a piece he was, playing his way into the starting picture at Virginia as a true freshman, but the state semifinalists have plenty of talent to fill in behind. The Marlins have one of the top seniors in Cooper, a Virginia commit who scored TDs four different ways last year, and one of the top juniors in Mizzell. Stitt, in his third year as a starter and with two 2,000-yard seasons under his belt, is on pace to break the school record for passing yardage. If there is a chink in the armor, Bayside is replacing three offensive linemen, and line breakdowns contributed to Bayside’s season-ending loss against Hermitage last year. Defensively, the Marlins finished as the best team in South Hampton Roads last year, allowing just 7.5 points per game, and return two linebackers (Shaquille Black and Will Dillard) with at least three years of starting experience. Bayside has gone 23-3 the past two years and will enter the season as favorites for the first time during Moore’s stint at the school. “The thing I’ve told our team is, you can play on adrenaline for a short period,” Moore said. “You can play with intensity the whole game. That’s how we’ve been practicing, with intensity.”

Bottom line Salem in Week 2 looms large, but handling expectations, not opponents, could be the biggest challenge.

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2. SALEM SUNDEVILS

Last season 8-4 overall, 7-3 district

Coach Robert Jackson, 52-19 in seven seasons

Impact players DB Kimdrick Feaster, 5-10, 160, sr.; QB Bucky Hodges, 6-5, 215, jr.; OL/DL Douglas Simmons, 6-2, 245, sr.; RB Diavante Walker, 5-11, 170, sr.; DB D’Metrius Williams, 5-11, 175, sr. On the field A district-best eight starters return on each side of the ball for the SunDevils, who finished sixth in Group AAA last year and went on to upset Ocean Lakes in the region quarterfinals. Hodges is the most widely-recognized quarterback in South Hampton Roads and has plenty of options around him. Walker will be used both in the backfield and as a wide receiver to provide balance, while Kwamane Bowens, Darius Frederick and James Church all offer an array of places to throw the ball. There’s still no workhorse tailback and Salem wasn’t overly explosive last year. Defense might be a bigger question, especially given how the Sun Devils were shredded by Oscar Smith in the region semifinals last season, surrendering a touchdown each time the Tigers touched the ball. Salem, though, has been a strong defensive team annually under Jackson and brings back eight starters from a unit that allowed 10.7 points per game, fourth-best in South Hampton Roads. The defensive line is deep, and the secondary is full of athletes, including Feaster and Williams, so that should offset any spread offense. If there’s a question on that end, it’s at linebacker, where All-Beach District first teamer Josh Lawson (ranked No. 35 in The Pilot’s senior class) is lost for the year after season-ending shoulder surgery.

Bottom line Not much separates the SunDevils and the Marlins, other than one team did it last year and the other is trying to do it this year

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3. OCEAN LAKES DOLPHINS

Coach Chris Scott, 30-4 in four seasons

Last season 8-3 overall, 8-2 district

Impact players DB Gianni Boyer, 5-9, 175, sr.; WR Andre Desenberg, 6-2, 190, jr.; DE/WR Eli Harold, 6-4, 215, sr.; OL/DL Demetri McGill, 6-2, 290, jr.; DB Corey Taylor, 5-11, 185, sr.

On the field If there is a team capable of disrupting the quarterbacking of the district’s top two teams – and taking advantage of their offensive line questions – it’s Ocean Lakes, owners of a defensive line that Scott promises will be the best in the state. That starts with Harold (30 tackles, 7 sacks in 2010), one of the country’s best players, strong enough to play defensive end and fast enough to play wide receiver (534 yards, 8 touchdowns). Scott feels he has one of the area’s best defensive linemen in three different classes with senior Harold, junior McGill and sophomore Derick Nnadi. “The big thing is we can get pressure, and we don’t have to bring anyone extra,” Scott said. “That allows the rest of us to be hard-hitting.” Taylor loves to put a scare into opposing receivers, while Boyer has eight interceptions the past two years. Offense is more uncertain for a team that finished sixth in scoring last year (31.4). The Dolphins lost their top quarterback, running back and lineman, prompting a significant overhaul of an offense that averaged 31.4 points. Lafonte Thourogood, who threw for 10 touchdowns and rushed for 16 more, is the biggest loss. He’ll likely be replaced by either Corwin Cutler or Tamaric Crews, who should head an offense that relies a little more on the pass.

Bottom line The Dolphins are equipped to handle top-notch quarterbacks and spread offenses, which means they’ll test the top teams.

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4. LANDSTOWN EAGLES

Coach Tommy Reamon, 16-16 in three seasons at Landstown; 113-111 in 25 seasons overall

Last season 6-5 district, 6-4 overall

Impact players RB/WR/DB Kelvin Davis, 5-10, 160, jr.; WR/OLB Kyle Dockins, 6-4, 215, sr.; OL/DL Aaron Hutchins, 6-2, 275, sr.; WR/DB Justin Motley, 6-1, 180, sr.; OL/DL Dominique Roldan, 6-4, 310, sr.

On the field Like Ocean Lakes, the Eagles will rely on a talented front seven to keep the team afloat while its skill players come along. Roldan and Hutchins, linemen with Division I college offers, anchor an offensive that returns three starting linemen. The pair should also occupy blockers in front of a strong linebacking core, led by Virginia commit Kyle Dockins, potentially improving a unit that finished ninth in points allowed last year (18). “The line is definitely the leadership core of our team,” Reamon said. Landstown’s bigger difficulties were on offense last year and it graduated its leading passer and running back, leaving the Eagles trying to manufacture points again this season. Kelvin Harris, one of Landstown’s best athletes, will play two positions on offense instead of three, limiting himself to running back and wide receiver, and is the most likely to benefit from the line. He was an injury replacement at quarterback last year, but instead he’ll surrender quarterback duties to Keanu Reuben, an athletic junior who led the program’s JV team last year. Shyheim Swinson will serve as the primary tailback.

Bottom Line Unproven skill position players put Eagles a step back of the favorites, but if the line is as good as advertised, they’ll have plenty of time to acclimate.

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5. COX FALCONS

Coach Bill Stachelski, 20-13 in 3 years

Last season 6-5 overall, 6-4 district

Impact players RB/DB Kellen Blackshear, 6-1, 195, sr.; RB/LB Jay Brooks, 5-8, 195, sr.; DB Joey Koch, 5-11, 175, sr.; QB Josh Plasse, 5-10, 190, sr.; OT/DT Alston Smith, 6-4, 275, sr.

On the field Stachelski has turned Cox from a mess into a consistently competitive bunch, but he continues pushing for the first playoff win in school history. The program’s trajectory doesn’t appear to have changed much. The defense will be good, the offense effective, but not electric. Remember, this team didn’t take off last year until it moved lineman Ross Burbank into the backfield. Virginia Tech commit Smith - Hall of Famer Bruce Smith's son - led the team in sacks last year and Stachelski would prefer to use him only on defense to keep him fresh, but he could spent some time on offense if Cox’s offensive line is going to open up holes. Stachelski considers Brooks, Cox’s leading tackler last season, one of the best linebackers in the district and, when combined with Smith, Cox’s defense should remain a strength. “Our philosophy is that The Falcons do have returner Eric Hoelzer on the offensive line, and a Division I prospect in junior Gabe Hollins at the other tackle. Like most option teams, Cox’s top athletes are its running backs, with Brooks and Blackshear leading a host of runners. The Falcons finished eighth in points allowed last year should be similarly staunch this year.

Bottom line Falcons likely to get their shot at a rare playoff win, but will need to pull major upset to overcome school history

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6. GREEN RUN STALLIONS

Coach Shawn Wilson, fifth season, 30-12

Last season 5-5 overall, 5-5 district

Impact players OL/DE Kemaree Alcorn, 6-4, 225, sr.; RB Hayden Cancio, 5-9, 190, sr.; QB Dominick Genua, 6-1, 190, sr.; LB/TE Mark Hall, 6-2, 220, sr.; LB Derek Wilson, 5-11, 190, sr.

  On the field The Stallions have two of the district’s best linebackers with Mark Hall and Derek Wilson, both of whom were all-district players last season. Kemaree Alcorn, a defensive end, should help give Green Run a solid run defense. That group makes up three of Green Run’s seven returning starters on a defense likely to be its strength. The Stallions have already lost three linemen that Wilson expected would be playing this year – along with David Dean’s graduation and departure to Virginia – so Wilson needs to be adaptable on offense, a skill he showcased last year while using departed running back Dre’Quez Lambert under center. Lambert who switched positions after an injury to Genua and went on to win the district’s Offensive Player of the Year award, finished with 1,698 yards, the fifth-best total all-time in South Hampton Roads as part of a patch-work offense. Lambert carried the ball 246 times, the second-highest total in the area. Hayden Cancio, a transfer from Ocean Lakes, will lead a group of five running backs competing for those carries, with Genua hoping to provide more balance.

Outlook Wilson has never finished below .500 at Green Run, so bet against him hitting that mark at your own peril.

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7. FIRST COLONIAL PATRIOTS

Coach Sam Scarborough, first year; 34-27 in 7 previous seasons

Last season 3-7 overall, 3-7 district

Impact players RB/LB Justin Cormier, 5-10, 180, sr.; DB Jabari Evans, 6-1, 160, sr.; RB/C Raven Green, 6-0, 175, jr.; LB Anderson Miller, 6-2, 235, sr.; WR/S Trevor Small, 6-1, 190, sr.

On the field Scarborough won’t ease into his return to coaching, facing the district’s two favorites in his first two games, a difficult recipe for a coach tasked with rebuilding confidence. First Colonial actually owned a top 10 defense last year (18.1 points allowed per game), but struggled on offense, prompting Scarborough to shift to an option look. First Colonial is blessed with good athletes at running back and linebacker, so Miller has moved to tight end and defensive end since the start of the season, helping the Patriots match up better up front. Scarborough has simplified an offense that contained approximately 125 plays last season, using a much simpler flex option, and has focused on perfecting the plays that the Patriots will use. “The big thing is you want them to be able to play fast,” Scarborough said. He said he also hopes to land on one quarterback, potentially Dalton Desroches. While the opening will be a challenge – particularly for a school without a winning season since 2004 – Scarborough’s team could benefit by getting used to his system as it approaches its competitive games. “With others it could happen, you could get your head down,” Scarborough said. “But after being with this team, seeing their tough, workmanlike effort, I think it’ll work out good for us.”

Outlook If First Colonial’s confidence and belief in its system survive the first two weeks, competing for a playoff berth is possible.

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8. KELLAM KNIGHTS

Coach Chris DeWitt, 74-51 in 13 seasons

Last season 3-7 overall, 3-7 district

Impact players WR Chris Garner, 6-6. 190, sr; OL/DE Ben Merritt, 6-3, 220, sr.; DB Kyle Porter, 6-2, 185 sr.; LB Laurent Pinchinat 5-11, 200, jr.; WR/DE Darrell Reddick 6-2, 195, sr.

On the field Kellam will shift slightly from its smash-mouth offense because of what it has in Garner and what it lacks with a smallish offensive line. Garner already has a scholarship offer from Norfolk State and will have two quarterbacks, Gunnar Kane and Pat Kagel, trying to take advantages of the mismatches he creates. The Knights have promised to throw early more often, with only two veteran linemen returning in junior Ben Merritt (220 pounds) and Nick Edwards. That will be different for a team that ran bruising running back Evan Lowe 248 times, the most in South Hampton Roads last season. Kellam went 5-1 at the JV level, putting together one of the program’s better teams in recent years. “We’ve always done well there and we’ve had some undefeated teams, but last year was the best we’ve had,” DeWitt said. DeWitt hopes adding their energy and ability to swarm the ball will improve a unit that has been Kellam’s weakness in recent years, but because they’re young, size could play a factor.

Bottom line Banking on an excellent JV team to be competitive seems more likely to yield the big results next year rather than immediately.

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9. PRINCESS ANNE

Last season 0-10 overall, 0-10 district

Coach Ray Gatlin, 1-19 in two seasons

Impact players OL/DL Tyler Compton, 6-3, 320, sr.; OL/DL Diavante Hamilton, 5-11, 250, sr.; DB/WR Kaine Lombard, 5-10, 170, sr.; WR Jamil Kamara 6-2, 190, soph.; QB Brian Morgan 6-2, 180, sr.

On the field Most coaches agree the Cavaliers will beat someone this season, they just don’t want it to be them. Getting that first win would be a step forward for Princess Anne, which brings an 30-game on-field losing streak into the season, a stretch broken only by a forfeit win over Ocean Lakes in 2009. Princess Anne made strides last year, particularly on offense, where QB Morgan ranks second (1,855 yards) among returning passers and WR Kamara (719 yards) is first among returning wide receivers and has already been offered scholarships by the state’s best programs. Princess Anne scored enough last year, but couldn’t stop anyone. An undersized defense will remain a weakness, as will the number of players playing both ways, but simply limiting big plays should spark some improvement. The Cavaliers – who have no middle school feeder system – are always low on numbers, so a tough early schedule and reaching the middle portion of the year healthy will be key to getting a chance to win.

Bottom line The sky may not be the limit, but a couple victories is doable. A win (and not by forfeit) is on the way.

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10. KEMPSVILLE CHIEFS

Last season 4-6 overall, 4-6 in district

Coach Jermaine Paddyfoot, 4-6 in 1 year

Impact players QB/DB Chris Guy, 5-11, 185, sr.; C/DT Brandon Hubbard 6-0, 225., sr.; RB/LB Aaron Knox 5-11, 185, sr.; FB/LB Frederick Pauley, 5-10, 215, sr.; LT/DT Aaron Williams, 6-2, 285, jr.

On the field With two Division I players and a highly-touted transfer quarterback, the Chiefs’ sub-.500 record last season was likely the area’s most disappointing season. Without running back Travis Hughes, and his area-best 20 touchdowns, or UVA safety Mason Thomas, Kempsville won’t have the same problem this time around. “We lost a lot of talent, there’s no denying that,” Paddyfoot said. “A lot of them were three-year starters. Right now, we’re kind of a no-name group.” A lack of notoriety comes naturally when a team returns only three starters on defense and two on offense, and Paddyfoot said he’s simplified things this year to keep them playing with instinct. He has hopes the Chiefs will play to make a name for itself. Despite his success rushing the ball, Hughes was one of Kempsville’s bigger players, equaling or surpassing many of his linemen. Building that line, Paddyfoot said, will be key to the Chiefs’ rebuilding efforts and he believes he has parts in Hubbard and Williams. Chris Guy, who is being recruited as a receiver and defensive back, is playing quarterback, a switch Paddyfoot made because he needed one of his best athletes at the position.

The bottom line Expectations were high and the Chiefs disappointed last year. This year, they’ll try to flip the script.

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11. TALLWOOD LIONS

Last year 3-7 overall, 3-7 district

Coach John Kepple, first season

Impact players OL/DL Jordan Anderson, 6-2, 230, sr.; OL/DL Zachary Bordeau, 6-3, 250, sr.; RB/LB Allen Hayes, 6-0, 215, jr.; OL/DL Clifton Jones, 6-3, 260, sr.

On the field New coach John Kepple, a 15-year assistant with Tallwood, said he won’t change strategy too much but he has tried to reinforce the importance a good attitude and hard work. New coaches tend to be met with enthusiasm and Kepple’s hiring has boosted the program’s numbers. But with two-thirds of the program’s 99 players either freshmen or sophomores, it could be a year before that does much good. Tallwood lacks depth, and its best athletes will play both ways. “We’re going to have to play true ironman football,” Kepple said. While that’s always a challenge, he believes Tallwood has the potential to be competitive with it. Most importantly, Tallwood is strong up front, with two returning starters on the line that Kepple believes have Division-I potential in Bordeau and Jones and a third solid player in Anderson. Add in a pounding physical junior running back and linebacker in Allen Hayes and Tallwood’s best bet may be grinding out tough yardage. “He’s a natural athlete, plays three sports and he’s one of those kids that if you see him, he looks like a man,” Kepple said of Hayes.

Bottom line New coaches always have to prove their mettle and with no easy games, there’s no tougher place to do that than the Beach District.