One of these three guys: Michael Brown, Damarta Johnson or Larry Wilson.

Western Branch’s preseason practice got a sense of urgency after star QB Kevin Newsome transferred to Hargrave Military Academy.

Newsome’s departure left the Bruins scrambling for a new signal-caller. Johnson and Wilson are up from the JV squad, while Brown, a senior, played varsity last season as a wide receiver and defensive back.

“We’ll see who comes out of it,” coach Scott Johnson said. “We’ll battle the next few weeks and see who’s surviving.”

Western Branch WR/DB Javanti Sparrow isn’t worried: “The guys we have are good. We just need to find out which one’s going to play.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Bruins must replace nine of 11 starters.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve lost nine seniors off a defense,” said Johnson, who served as defensive coordinator before becoming head coach last year. “We’ll be solid, but we’ve gotta grow. We’re trying to fit people into places. That’s kind of the big thing we have to do: Find out who fits our mold and where we can put them.”

For more on the Bruins, check out Chic Riebel’s video on the QB candidates: [1]