More on Salem RB Divante Walker, football news

I wrote a story on Salem running back Divante Walker that will run in The Virginian-Pilot on Friday.

What I learned about Walker is you can never give up.

Even when naysayers told him he wasn't good enough or big enough to play a certain position, he ignored them.

Now he’s one of the best running backs in South Hampton Roads.

He’s rushed for nearly 1,400 yards even though he touched the ball on average 12 times a game.

One reason for his success was the Salem coaches. But he also got help from Delmus Coley.

You may remember the name because he was one of the best running backs to come out of the Beach District.

His name has resurfaced the last two weeks as Great Bridge running back Adriell Mayes tried to catch him on South Hampton Roads single-season rushing list. Coley is second with 2,029 yards.

He’s been working with Walker for the last two years to help Walker get bigger, stronger and faster.

“I watched tape of him last year and there were many times where he should have broken it but was taken down,” Coley said. “I had him focus on his strength. Now plays where he was tackled last year he breaks them this year.”

Coley, who now works as a personal trainer, said seeing Walker excel has been rewarding.

“It’s very satisfying especially from his family who thank me,” he said.

Bishop Sullivan QB signs

Bishop Sullivan quarterback Brian Novak has signed with Concord College, a Division II school in West Virginia.

Richard Morgan's dominance in the Southeastern District

To say Oscar Smith coach Richard Morgan has been successful in the Southeastern District is an understatement.

In nine plus seasons, Morgan has an 80-5 record against Southeastern District opponents, which includes regular-season and playoff games.

He’s also won 73 of his past 74 games, including playoff victories over Grassfield in 2009 and Western Branch in 2006.

But Morgan knows there’s more to winning than just showing up.

“You just can’t walk out there with the Smith jersey on and expect people to just lay down for you,” he said recently. “The S on the helmet isn’t going to scare people until you do something about it on the field.”

More on former Deep Creek coach

I got a phone call from a caller who was “appalled” that the headline involving former Deep Creek coach David Waddell said he quit.

“He didn’t deserve the word quit with his name,” said the irate caller.

While we can go back and forth about what really happened whether he quit, stepped down, resigned or was fired, one thing is clear, Waddell will be missed by the many who supported him.

But you may not have seen the last of Waddell.

“I’m not going to rule out coaching again,” he said, “just not at this time.” 

Rankings

Oscar Smith finished No. 2 in the final Associated Press state rankings.

The Tigers, whose lone loss was to nationally-ranked Gilman (Md.) in the season opener, also finished No.4 in Hutchinson's Virginia High School Football Refernence poll and No. 12 in Maxpreps state poll.

Salem was 11th in Hutchinson's poll and 13th in AP state and MaxPreps polls

And Grassfield was ninth in AP state poll and 14th in Hutchinson's poll.

Lake Taylor was No. 21 in Hutchinson's poll and No. 23 in MaxPreps poll.

Others in the Hutchinson's poll include:  No. 20 Landstown, No. 22 Ocean Lakes, No. 23 Bayside and No. 33 Norcom.

 

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