Football notebook: Lake Taylor's Privott visits Penn State

Lake Taylor linebacker Mike Privott took a trip to Penn State last weekend. (the virginian-pilot file photo)

The Virginian-Pilot

Lake Taylor linebacker Mike Privott had a busy weekend.

On Friday, he had 16 tackles to help the Titans improve to 9-0 with a victory against Granby. Lake Taylor is trying to become the first Eastern District team to finish the regular season 10-0 since the Titans did it in 1992.

The next day, Privott took an early flight to Pennsylvania for the Ohio State-Penn State game. It was his first unofficial visit of what will be many.

"It was a crazy atmosphere up there and I had seats at the 50-yard line," said Privott, a second-team All-Tidewater selection last season. "I got a chance to talk to some of the coaches and got to see pre-game workouts. It was great.

"The fans were also great. They kept coming up to me saying, 'You've got to come to our school.'"

Privott said Penn State coaches told him he should receive an offer in the mail by January. He also has recruiting trips set for Wake Forest and Alabama next month.

Other schools showing interest in Privott include North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Offensive line for Salem no longer a question mark

During the preseason, Salem coach Robert Jackson talked about his team's positives: running back Kevin Whaley, versatile quarterback Brian Robinson, a stout defense led by linebacker Lyndell Gibson.

And he talked about the question mark: offensive line.

But heading into this week's regular-season finale, no one is questioning Salem's front line anymore.

Although Donnie Moore, a senior, was the line's only returning starter, Salem has one of South Hampton Roads' most prolific rushing offenses and Whaley leads South Hampton Roads rushers with 1,229 yards.

"Coach John Wright does an excellent job with our offensive line and I only see great things from them down the road," Jackson said after the SunDevils gained 273 yards Friday against Green Run.

Along with Moore, Salem's starting offensive line includes seniors Tim Jernigan and William Eller and sophomores Nathan Sawyer and Joshua Rodgers.

"They're gelling together and they just work hard every week," Jackson said. "Kevin gets a lot of yards and he gets all the recognition, but it's the guys up front that are getting it done."

Tallwood's tough season ends on positive note

It was a long season for Tallwood.

One year after making the playoffs, the Lions struggled to a 4-6 finish.

But Tallwood wrapped up its season in grand fashion with a 27-21 upset of Kellam last Friday. It came one day after coach Thad Harold buried his father.

"This game made my week," he said. "Everyone was saying, 'This game is for you, coach.' But I kept telling them to play for themselves. I also told them that for those guys coming back, (defeating Kellam) would make a great start for our season next year. So this was a great win."

Next season could be a good one for the Lions, who should return many players, including eight starters on offense.

Great Bridge has another QB waiting in the wings

Great Bridge quarterback Casey Turner will be remembered for his many records and statistics, but the Wildcats have another up-and-coming quarterback in freshman Brad Hudson.

"He's going to be an awesome quarterback," Turner said.

For now, Hudson is a receiver. Last Friday against King's Fork, Hudson caught three passes for 65 yards, including a 16-yard reception that helped Turner become the Virginia High School League's all-time completions leader.

"He was happy that he broke the record with me," Turner said. "Coach (Pete) Gale had to use his athleticism somewhere, so he put him at receiver and he's done an awesome job."

King's ForK still alive in race for region playoffs

When King's Fork coach Cecil Phillips went to bed Friday night after his team's 27-14 loss to Great Bridge, he thought his team's playoff hopes were dashed.

But, thanks to surprising losses that night by other contenders, the Bulldogs still have a chance - even if it's slim.

That's all the motivation Phillips needed this week.

"We still have a shot," he said. "It's great to still have that opportunity because that's something we've been wanting since Day One. It also gives us an extra incentive to have quality practices this week."

Powell will be back at QB for Landstown on Friday

Landstown quarterback Allen Powell figures to make his second return from injury this week in the Eagles' regular-season finale against Ocean Lakes.

Powell, a junior, missed last week's game because of a quadriceps injury. He had missed time before that with a hand injury.

"He was available last week," coach Steve Canter said, "but we felt we could save him and get him healthy for this week."

Landstown (5-4), Kellam (5-4) and Maury (5-4) are fighting for two of the final playoff spots in Division 6.

Canter said Powell's return doesn't mean the Eagles will forget about the running game. After Powell and backup Xavier Boyce were lost to injury, Landstown turned into a running team and enters this week averaging 256.2 rushing yards per game.

"We're not going to abandon what we've been doing," Canter said. "Grinding it out on the ground helps our defense, and our defense has been struggling at times."

Boyce remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. Canter said his senior season is over.

Norfolk Christian seeks .500 mark in 3rd season

Norfolk Christian ends its third - and most successful - season this week with a game at Massanutten Military Academy.

It's the Ambassadors' final game before becoming a football member of the Tidewater Conference next season.

"Ready or not, we've got to be able to compete there," coach Glendon Dillard said. "It's just a matter of getting the numbers and the depth."

This season, the Ambassadors (4-5) played all but one of their future Tidewater Conference foes, going winless in four games. Norfolk Christian has not played Norfolk Academy, which has won or shared the past four TCIS titles.

Norfolk Christian was outscored 137-25 in games against TCIS members Hampton Roads Academy, Nansemond-Suffolk, Bishop Sullivan Catholic and Greenbrier Christian.

"Essentially, we've added a (TCIS) team every year," Dillard said. "Were we ready the first year to go in the TCIS? No, nowhere near it. It'll be interesting."

- Compiled by Jami Frankenberry and Larry Rubama