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Norcom and Churchland bumped Lake Taylor off its Eastern District perch last season.
The Greyhounds and Truckers shared the district title and kept Lake Taylor out of first or second place for just the second time in the past eight seasons.
This season, those three schools should remain contenders, along with Booker T. Washington.
Norcom returns the reigning Eastern District Offensive Player of the Year in running back Chavelle Atkins, while a solid defense anchors Lake Taylor.
At Booker T. Washington, a new quarterback takes over, and Churchland welcomes a new coach.
A look at the Eastern District, in predicted order of finish
1. NORCOM GREYHOUNDS
Last season 10-2 overall, 6-1 district
Coach Larry Archie, 32-21 in five seasons, 43-30 in seven seasons overall
Impact players RB/LB Chavelle Atkins, 6-1, 201, sr.; OL/DL Marcus Haynes, 6-4, 310, sr.; WR/DB/LB Joe Powell, 6-0, 170, sr.; WR/DB Hakiem Swann, 5-11, 175, sr.; WR/FS Isaac White, 6-3, 180, sr.
On the field Anchored on the ground by senior RB Atkins, who ran for 1,012 yards and eight TDs last year, Norcom will need more of the same after losing quarterback Jamaal Wright to graduation. In contention for the starting spot are senior Daquan Saunders and sophomore Darron Downing. The former is the premier passer, while the latter is the runner. Whichever wins the competition can take solace in knowing Marcus Haynes guards the line and playmakers populate the field.
Bottom line Atkins puts the team on his back, and the Greyhounds run away with a district title.
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2. LAKE TAYLOR TITANS
Last season 7-4 overall, 5-2 district
Coach Hank Sawyer, 96-37 in 13 seasons
Impact players TE/LB Jalyn Holmes, 6-5, 220, soph.; TE/NG Brandon Lynch, 6-1, 190, sr.; QB/WR/DB Donovan Powell, 6-3, 200, jr.; OT/LB Jamel Spellman, 6-1, 225, jr.; WR/S Mike Tyson, 6-2, 190, sr.
On the field Sawyer relates his team to Tiger Woods in that the goal is to rekindle the former glory years. As always, the Titans will rely on their defense to keep games close. Spellman and Mike Tyson run a defense that was fifth in points per game allowed in South Hampton Roads in 2010. Powell and sophomore Delmon Williams were competing for the starting quarterback job in preseason.
Bottom line With talent on both sides of the ball, Lake Taylor will make another push toward the top.
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3. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON BOOKERS
Last season 8-3 overall, 5-2 district
Coach Che Jacobs, 13-8 in two seasons
Impact players WR/DB Nigee Brehon, 6-1, 170, sr.; TE/LB Calvert Cook, 6-0, 230, sr.; OL/DL Jerran Downing, 6-3, 265, sr.; WR/DB Lafayette Smallwood, 5-10, 170, sr.; RB/DL Davohn Williams, 5-10, 205, sr.
On the field Freshman Marquise Poole will start at quarterback. Jacobs said the 5-11, 170-pound Poole has “a lot of poise” and called him “a winner.” The Bookers’ main offensive threat, Lafayette Smallwood, will be used like star Percy Harvin was at Landstown, Jacobs said. “Get the ball in his hands early and see if the defense can stop him.” Linebacker Calvert Cook has 11 offers, including one from Old Dominion.
Bottom Line If Poole is as good as Jacobs says he is, this could be the start of something special.But expect some growing pains this year.
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4. CHURCHLAND TRUCKERS
Last season 7-4 overall, 6-1 district
Coach Alonzo Ricks Jr., first season
Impact players ATH BJ Dubois, 5-9, 170, sr.; ATH Marvell Edmondson, 5-9, 160, sr.; OL/DL Jahmil Haley, 6-2, 250, sr.; WR/DB Isaiah Johnson, 5-10, 180, sr.; K/P Matthew Stanek, 5-9, 180, sr.
On the field Edmondson is one of the best athletes in the area, according to coach Ricks, who replaced Cedric Cradle after four seasons. So don’t be surprised to see Edmondson either split out wide or in the backfield during games. The Truckers face the third major line change in as many years, but Ricks expects the defensive line to be the strongest aspect of the defense, led by Haley. It’s a logjam at quarterback with three players in the mix for the starting job during preseason: Senior Antione Hayes, junior Robert Boyd and sophomore Malik Sexton.
Bottom Line The Truckers may not share a third consecutive district title, but they can hang near the top with a talent like Edmondson.
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5. WILSON PRESIDENTS
Last season 4-6 overall, 1-6 district
Coach Curtis Williams, 4-6 in one season
Impact players OL/DL Terrence Camp, 6-2, 190, sr.; OL/DL Sam Coney, 6-0, 300, sr.; QB/WR/DB Der’Woun Greene, 5-10, 170, sr.; WR/DB Rayshad Riddick, 5-10, 170, sr.; RB/SS Tavaris Waddler, 6-2, 185, sr.
On the field Greene, who has committed to Virginia Tech, and Riddick hope to earn Wilson some respect in the district. Two transfers from Norcom join the team in Derwounte Greene, Der’Woun’s little brother, and Jamze Merritt. Both add athleticism. Four senior running backs fill the backfield, allowing Wilson to constantly trot fresh legs out onto the field. But if the Presidents hope to meet their high expectations, they will have to channel their emotions into smart, efficient play on the field.
Bottom Line Wilson will be the district’s most improved team and challenge for a playoff spot.
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6. GRANBY COMETS
Last season 3-7 overall, 3-4 district
Coach Curt Brown, 6-24 in three seasons
Impact players OL/DL Tashad Charity, 6-1, 260, jr.; HB/DB Paul Dukes, 5-6, 170, sr.; WR/DB Richaun Faulks, 6-1, 170, sr.; OL/DL Lucas Fuatua, 6-2, 220, sr.; HB/DB Larence Harris, 6-0, 165, jr.
On the field The Comets’ offensive line must mesh well quickly for the offense to be successful. Charity and Fuatua are the veterans of the line and will be called upon to open holes for RB Dukes. He may be short, but Dukes is the spark plug for Granby. He rushed for 434 yards through five games last year before an injury. Quarterback play has hurt the Comets the past few years, and junior Tim Kelly, who started several games in 2010, was battling with sophomore William Smith during preseason.
Bottom Line A four-win season – or more – hinges on how fast the team matures.
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7. NORVIEW PILOTS
Last season 0-10 overall, 0-7 district
Coach Greg Gibson, first season at Norview
Impact Players TB/LB Omar Grimes, 5-9, 200, sr.; WR/CB Darrius Jones, 5-10, 175, sr.; OL/DL Leander Watkins, 5-7, 195, jr.; SB/SS Treshawn Weeks, 5-10, 175, sr.; QB/CB Kwe’shon Williams, 5-10, 155, sr.
On the field Gibson is the Pilots’ third coach in as many seasons. Installing the triple option offense that Navy and Georgia Tech use so well is a good start. Returning QB Williams could produce gaudy numbers because of it. However, there’s a roadblock: the offensive line. Gibson calls it a “work in progress,” so the Pilots’ success depends on how quickly the linemen can understand their assignments and come together as a unit. WR Jones, a Richmond commit, gives Norview another dynamic.
Bottom line The Pilots will continue to get better as the season goes on and may surprise a few teams.
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8. MAURY COMMODORES
Last season 2-8 overall, 2-5 district
Coach Chris Fraser, first season at Maury
Impact players RB/LB Eric Johnson, 5-10, 185, sr.; OL/DL Vijay Mohammed, 6-0, 220, sr.; QB/LB Anthony Smith, 6-0, 215, jr.; WR/DB Demetrius Stallings, 5-9, 165, sr.; WR/LB John Young, 5-11, 180, sr.
On the field With very few seniors on the team, Maury must find leadership. The Commodores possess speed and athleticism, but they are “learning things that are totally foreign to them,” said Fraser, a former coach at Smithfield and Charlottesville who replaced John Quinerly after three seasons. Fraser has installed the wing-T offense, which junior QB Smith will run. Smith is athletic but needs more reps throwing the ball. An intriguing sophomore class gives Fraser something to start molding.
Bottom Line Fraser starts his stint at Maury preaching discipline and fundamentals. Winning football games may come later.
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