High school football: Great Bridge vs. Grassfield a family affair

The Virginian-Pilot

Two sets of brothers will be on opposite sidelines Friday when Great Bridge plays Grassfield for the first time.

Older brothers Adam Warack and Edmond Fitch, both seniors, play for the Wildcats; younger brothers Nick Warack and Cameron Fitch, both sophomores, play for the first-year Grizzlies.

The older brothers chose to stay at Great Bridge for their senior years.

Adam Warack is a lineman; Edmond Fitch plays fullback and linebacker. Nick Warack plays tight end and linebacker; Cameron Fitch is a lineman.

"Mom's a little queasy about it," Nick said of Karen Warack. "She's just being a mom, I guess."

Otherwise, the brothers figure it's just another game, although there will be plenty of familiar faces on the opposite sideline. Grassfield drew students from Deep Creek, Great Bridge and Hickory.

"I think the entire team has kind of looked forward to it," Adam Warack said. "We practiced with a lot of those guys last year and we know most of them."

Fake punt was a great call, but don't do it again

All Granby coach Dave Hudak heard was, "Go, Telvion!"

Hudak was as surprised as anyone to see Telvion Clark racing 37 yards for a clinching touchdown against Wilson on Friday.

Punter David Wilson called for a fake punt - unbeknownst to Hudak - and Clark took the direct snap around the right side.

Hudak said he told Wilson the call was "all right this time, but we don't do that - call it on your own."

The play helped the Comets get their first victo ry after an 0-5 start. Granby's previous three losses were by a TD or less.

"The defense has been playing really well and the offense is finally starting to gel," Hudak said. "We're playing now like we're a 4-2 team."

Streaking Greenbrier targeting playoffs

Greenbrier Christian is riding a four-game winning streak, ranked third in Virginia Independent Schools Division II and eyeing its first playoff appearance since 2000.

The Gators (5-1) point to last year's late-season victory against Isle of Wight Academy, the eventual private school state champion in Division III, as the catalyst.

"We had a lot of players with a lot of talent and it finally came out that we could've done better," quarterback Josh Healey said. "We just came out (this season) knowing we could do it."

Greenbrier's roster features 29 players, last year, Heath Gibbs' first season as the Gators' coach, Greenbrier had 18.

Healey has thrown for 1,060 yards and 14 TDs; Mike Johnson has 25 catches for 413 yards and six TDs. Freshman running back Charles Arnold has rushed for 499 yards and six scores in the past four games.

"We're gaining confidence in each other and what we're doing," Gibbs said.

Green Run-Kempsville game has special meaning

Green Run puts its unbeaten record on the line Friday when the Stallions travel to winless Kempsville.

The game will have a special significance for Green Run head coach Shawn Wilson and defensive coordinator Jeff McGowan. They coached at Kempsville for four seasons. McGowan was the head coach and Wilson was an assistant.

"I don't set grudges on teams," said McGowan, who resigned after four seasons with the Chiefs. "Kempsville gave me the opportunity to be a head coach. I felt I did them justice when I was there. Now I want to do these kids justice here."

Wilson and McGowan have the Stallions (6-0) off to their best start since 1995, when they finished 10-0.

Norfolk Christian's mcadoo coming up big

James McAdoo, a 6-foot-7 freshman, has been turning heads on the basketball court for several years. Now he's making a name for himself on the football field for Norfolk Christian.

Last Friday against Hampton Christian, McAdoo caught two touchdown passes from quarterback David Colonna in the game's final minute, including a 26-yard reception as time expired, for a 22-21 victory.

The catches drew praise from many, including Michael Allen, the school's athletic director and boys basketball coach.

"The kid is just so gifted, so it's not a surprise to me," he said. "I know he's got a love and passion for basketball. But as he continues to get accolades and does well in football, it could be interesting what sport he chooses. "

McAdoo, the son of former Old Dominion University basketball stars Ronnie McAdoo and Janet Davis, has 10 receptions for 241 yards and five touchdowns. He also has three interceptions as a safety.

"It just shows that he makes every catch count," Ambassadors coach Glendon Dillard said. "He's just an amazing athlete."

Lake Taylor gunning for a 10-0 regular season

Lake Taylor moved closer to claiming another Eastern District title by drubbing Maury 62-0 on Friday.

The Titans, who have won at least a share of three of the past four district titles, have another goal, They want to finish 10-0. The last time an Eastern District champion finished 10-0 in the regular season was 1992, when the Titans accomplished that feat.

"If we finish 10-0, we'll have a playoff game at home," running back Jay Jay Simmons said. "That's what we really want, plus coach has never been 10-0."

Titans coach Hank Sawyer has been 9-1 three times.

Bayside-First Colonial game set for Saturday

Bayside's game against First Colonial has been moved to Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

It's Bayside's homecoming. Lisa Corprew, the Marlins' athletic director, said Haygood Road, which runs in front of the school, will be closed at 11 a.m. for a parade. The road will reopen shortly before noon, when the stadium gates open.

Extra points

Salem running back Kevin Whaley will reschedule his official visit to Maryland, possibly after the regular season. Whaley originally planned to visit College Park during Salem's bye last week, but the Terrapins asked him to postpone.... Hampton plays Phoebus - the Peninsula District's annual showdown for first place - at 7 p.m. Friday at Darling Stadium. As usual, both are undefeated.

- Compiled by Jami Frankenberry and Larry Rubama