Central Region | Archive | September, 2008

by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com

Thomas Dale coach Scott Hueston doesn’t understand.

His team has routinely gotten off to slow starts this season before coming back to win most of their matches.

The Knights fell behind early again against visiting Prince George on Thursday before rallying for another 3-1 victory.

“I haven’t figured that out yet,” Hueston said. “If I knew we wouldn’t be doing that.”

Thomas Dale, ranked ninth in the DigitalSports Top 10, improved their record to 6-0 in the Central District and 7-2 overall.

Four of the seven wins have been four-game victories that came after the Knights lost the first game.

“We usually start moving a little bit more,” Hueston said. “We start flat-footed. Once we start moving and talking we tend to settle down.”

Hueston has no problem admitting either that while most of the top-ranked teams in the area feature year-round travel players that his team is made up mostly of stars from other sports.

Ka’lia Johnson, a sophomore basketball standout, led Thomas Dale against the Royals with 12 kills and five blocks.

Softball player Lauryn Nanny had a complete match with seven aces, five kills, four blocks, three digs and three assists.

“Athleticism, that’s what we have,” Hueston said.

Prince George, though, looked like the more athletic team during Game 1.

Trailing 9-7, the Royals used a 6-0 run to take a lead they would not relinquish and took the first game 25-19.

Juniors Sarah Ham (OH), Brittany Johnson (OH) and Jorden Lykes led the offensive attack for Prince George.

“They have some skills,” said Royals coach Wanda Gilbert about her your players. “They just haven’t maximized their talents yet.”

The Knights then found themselves down 7-3 in the Game 2 but began to find a rhythm with Brittany Filliben (14 assists, five kills three aces) setting up her teammates. The team would rally for a 25-18 win.

Thomas Dale, now in control, took the third game with the same score and then won the fourth to close out the match at 25-20 by putting together large scoring runs.

“This year has been about runs,” Hueston said. “It has been like that all season.”

After her team went up 1-0 in games Gilbert believed it was imperative that her team keep the momentum going if they wanted to have a chance.

“Their history shows that they start a little slow,” Gilbert said. “I knew we needed to take the second game.”

Lykes finished with seven kills, Brittany Johnson five, Ham four and senior setter Heather Lewis had 12 assists and four aces for the Royals.

Thomas Dale’s Alexa Tuck added seven assists and Kortney Williams had five blocks and three kills.

Prince George   25 18 18 20
Thomas Dale     19 25 25 25
Records: Prince George (2-3 Central, 4-5); Thomas Dale, (6-0, 7-2)

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by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com

Kelsey Huffer personified the aggressiveness and tenaciousness that Maggie Walker GS put on display Wednesday evening in a 2-1 victory over Mills Godwin in Colonial District field hockey action.

Huffer was a machine, never seeming to get winded. Up and down the sideline she bounded, ready to take possession for her team.

Determination was scribbled all over her face as she bit down on her mouthpiece while making some impressive moves to advance the ball for the Green Dragons.

All of her teammates followed suit.

“She’s very aggressive,” MWGS coach Paige Hawkins said. “Her skills are refined. She doesn’t get down on herself. And that’s why she’s a captain.”

Another reason she showed why she is captain?

She got Maggie Walker out of their first-half goal-scoring slump, connecting for a 1-0 lead off of a nifty feed from 2007 all-DigitalSports pick Deirdre Gill.

It stayed that way 10 minutes into the second half until Huffer got back into the act.

She hit Gill on the left sideline.

Gill showed ridiculous stick work to manuever through Godwin’s red jerseys, finding Cassie Turnage on the other side of the cage.

“She hopefully will be our rising star soon,” Hawkins said of Turnage, who is a sophomore.

Turnage scored for a 2-0 lead that held up until Godwin’s Michelle Foley connected following a corner as the Eagles, ranked sixth in the latest DigitalSports Top 10, sliced the advantage to 1 with 4:30 left.

Godwin had another opportunity a minute later, but couldn’t convert.

Then the No. 4 Green Dragons kept the offensive pressure on despite their lead, a trademark of last year’s squad that hadn’t transferred to 2008.

But after losing by a combined 5-0 to Prince George and Thomas Dale two weeks ago, MWGS refocused.

“The losses to Prince George and Thomas Dale really made us more motivated to want to come out and win,” Huffer said. “We’ve been working hard in practice on scoring and finding different ways to score. Just coming out and having the same intensity throughout the game.

“I think the first half we were definitely pumped. We wanted to show Godwin and everybody else that we are still Maggie Walker. That we are still one of the best teams out here. Two losses aren’t going to bring us down.”

Mills Godwin          0 1 – 1
Maggie Walker GS 1 1 – 2
MG: Foley
MW: Huffer, Turnage
Saves: Ricca (MG) 3; Young (MWGS) 8
Records: Mills Godwin (3-2 Colonial, 5-2); Maggie Walker GS (1-0, 4-2)

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by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com

Taylor Johnson scored the game’s only goal yet she did not want all of the credit.

If the rest of her teammates have that same attitude then Cosby could be headed for big things.

Johnson scored in the second half to propel the Titans past visiting Monacan 1-0 on Wednesday night.

“Our team really pulled together,” Johnson said. “It is more about the teamwork. I wouldn’t really say it is my goal because everyone contributed to it.”

Cosby, ranked No. 5 in the DigitalSports Top 10, and ninth-ranked Monacan played a first half that was void of the type of offense usually seen in a marquee matchup.

Neither team was able to put together a strong offensive attack as the defenses locked down.

“We were just playing silly,” Titans coach Rachel Mead said. “We were not playing our game. Sometimes it takes a while for us to settle down.”

In the second half Cosby came out as the clear aggressor with forwards Johnson, Laurie Schrider, Amanda Simmons and Emily Zuckoff leading the way up top and Jennifer Tennison and Kelsey Powell controlling the midfield.

It immediately paid off less than four minutes into the half.

Powell made a nice move a few feet outside of the circle to get some room, passed the ball to Johnson and as the sophomore faded away from the goal she blasted a shot past Chiefs goalie Catie Mavilia.

“We were more intense,” said Mead of the second half. “We needed to pressure more and we had been taking too much time on our free hits.”

With less than fifteen minutes remaining in the match Monacan (2-3-1 Dominion, 3-6-1) began to push themselves and were able to create a few scoring chances.

Lindsey Marr was able to setup her teammates with some good opportunities but Alicia Lawrence and the rest of the forwards couldn’t find the back of the cage.

Heather Hlavaty and Christina Siwiec combined for the shutout in net for Cosby.

The Titans improved their record to 3-0-1 in the Dominion and 5-1-1 overall a year after finishing 2-8-1, 2-10-1.

“We’ve gotten some confidence and have been scoring some goals,” Mead said. “We seem to be more relaxed out there and with confidence it is a lot different.”

Monacan  0 0 – 0
Cosby      0 1 – 1
C: Johnson
Saves: Mavilia (M) 4; Siwiec (C) 1, Hlazaty 1
Records: Monacan (2-3-1 Dominion, 3-6-1); Cosby (3-0-1, 5-1-1)

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Year: Senior      

Age: 17

Performance: Scored the game winning goal in a 2-1 victory over No. 2 James River. The No. 1 Knights are unbeaten.

Funniest teammate: “Kelsey Whittleton. She’s always cracking jokes at practice. We kind of make fun of coach [Beth] Jaeckle, but it’s always in fun.”

On James River win: “They are always our toughest competition. We always feel good when we beat them. Everyone is so intense.”

Toughest opponent: “Maggie Walker and James River are two of the toughest games. Maggie Walker, I always enjoy playing them a little more.”

Invite any three people to dinner: “Jim Carrey is pretty funny. Derek Jeter and Tony Romo.” Bailey says Jessica Simpson can’t come.

Favorite class: “Spanish.”

College choice: Ever since I was little I wanted to go to JMU. Hopefully I will get to go. My cousin went there.” Bailey’s cousin is Knights cheer coach Lindsey Kistner, but Bailey never wanted anything to do with cheering.

More hockey?: “I want to play field hockey in college. That would be really great. But I’m not really sure.”

What makes you standout: “I’m not a yeller on the team. I keep it calm on the field. If I am yelling there’s a problem.”

– Stephen M. Lewis

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Year: Senior        Age: 17

Height/Weight: 6-0, 185

Position: Outside linebacker

Other sport: Lacrosse. He has no favorite.

Performance: Gallagher totaled 11 tackles and three sacks in a 21-14 win over No. 5 Hanover. His teammate, Jake Snyder, happened to have the same exact stats.

On having same stat line as Snyder: “Yeah. I mean I guess our defense really worked hard. The defensive line and linebackers really stopped them up front. We really did our job up front.”

Hanover game most exciting ever?: “For sure. It was a ton of people out there. Our fans came out in the numbers. Coming down to that last tackle that Jordan made, we basically won by half a yard.”

Invite any three people to dinner: “Michael Vick, James Laurinitas and Beanie Wells.” Gallagher is an Ohio State fan.

What makes you standout?: “I guess my leadership out on the field, telling everyone where to go. Konwing the defense, knowing the offense and flying around.”

On unbeaten season: “We just need to keep working hard and get better every week. We need to keep building on where we’re at. Hopefully we can keep building and make the playoffs.”

Favorite class: Accounting.

College decision: “I have not decided. I’ll probably play lacrosse if anything.”

Funniest teammate: “Billy Skrobacz. Because he has the weirdest personality and he’s always making jokes.”

Faster in a race, Antone Exum or Jordan Love?: Antone Exum. But Jordan’s quicker though.

Year: Senior        Age: 17

Height/Weight: 6-4, 250

Position: Defensive end/tight end

Other sport: Baseball (Catcher)

Performance: Snyder totaled 11 tackles and three sacks in a 21-14 win over No. 5 Hanover. His teammate, Patrick Gallagher, happened to have the same exact stats.

On having same stat line as Gallagher: “We both obviously, were out there trying to do our jobs. Defense is all about controlling your own gap. Most plays just happened to come to us. It’s about our whole defense not just us two.”

Hanover game most exciting ever?: This year, definitely. When I was a sophomore we had a couple of pretty exciting games.” Snyder mentioned Deep Run’s two-point conversion win over Patrick Henry, and the thrilling comeback win over Matoaca in the Central Region, Division 5 final.

Invite any three people to dinner: “Tom Brady, Jesus, and Dave Matthews.”

What makes you standout?: “I’m a pretty big player on the field, which helps out. I’m a fundamental player. That’s what I trust myself with. I think I understand the defense well. I control my own gap and my position right.”

On unbeaten season: “Our team is playing great right now. We have to keep playing better every week. Not take anybody lightly. Take every game as the biggest game of the year, which it is.”

Favorite class: “Drama I. Me and a couple of my friends decided to take the class together. A lot of fun so far.”

College decision: Snyder committed to Virginia after last season. “I’ve been excited about that for a long timr. I’ve always been going to the Virginia games as a kid. It never really dawned on me that I could play at that level until they offered me back in December. It’s close to home, and they’ve got a great program. It just all adds up for me.”

Funniest teammate: Billy Skrobacz and Parker Tuck. They’re serious on the field, but they’re messing around all the time other than that.”

Faster in a race, Antone Exum or Jordan Love: “I’d take myself first, but since I’m not in the equation I think Antone.”

– Stephen M. Lewis

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by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com

Each game got tougher, but Lee-Davis took a 3-0 victory over Henrico in a Capital District boys volleyball match Tuesday evening.

The Confederates rolled in the first game, winning 25-11.

The key point was a six-point bulge in the middle of the game that gave L-D a 12-5 advantage as Dustin Abele had two kills in the run.

The second game was much tighter as Henrico forced ties at 6-6 and 12-12.

The Warriors eventually took its first lead of the match at 13-12 on an ace by Landon Prentiss (six kills, 23 digs, block).

But the Confederates found their game once Wes Dean got his chance to serve.

His top-spin delivery befuddled the Warriors defense, as L-D went on a 7-1 run before taking the game 25-20.

“It was a little off at one point, but then I got them on,” said Dean, who registered 18 digs. “They just kept thinking they were out when they kept catching the line.

“I guess they hurt them a little bit.”

It was more of the same in the third.

L-D ran out to a comfy lead (12-7) before Henrico took an 18-17 advantage on a huge block by Kyle Logan.

Both teams traded leads and were knotted in ties, until Chris Bonelli‘s parabola dropped between Henrico defenders for match point.

The Warriors got standout play from Eric Pelnik (five kills, 13 digs, three blocks) and captain setter Nick Deaton (16 assists, eight digs).

L-D received 17 assists from Mikey Hotchkiss.

“Overall a pretty good game we really needed,” said Travis Abele, who had 11 kills and four digs. “It’s a big confidence boost knowing we still have what it takes to win the district.

“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Lee-Davis 25 25 25
Henrico   11 20 23
Records: Lee-Davis (2-1 Capital, 6-3); Henrico (1-3, 1-8)

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Year: Senior

Performance: Ridiculous. Morgan set school records with 484 yards passing and six passing TDs in a 48-8 win over Nottoway. He went 28 for 32 as three different receivers went over 100 yards.

On the big night: “It just worked out pretty prefect. One of the best games I’ve played in my whole life. The biggest outcome is that we won. That’s always a big plus. I didn’t really think it was going to be a big night for me. I actually thought I threw for 280. I didn’t feel like I threw for that many.

“After the game our offensive line coach texted me and said I had 484. It was a big accomplish to me. For the team and everything.”

On bouncing back from Clover Hill in opening game: “I’m happy for [Clover Hill] coming back. They’re actually putting on a show. Kind of like we were last year. I think we kind of underestimated them a little bit. That following week we put in work and never stopped. It will set up our season for us. We won’t forget that loss.”

GPA: 3.875. His favorite class is advanced sports marketing. “You learn about all the teams and how you control the businesses and stuff. I might take accounting [in college]. I kind of like that class. I’m pretty good with numbers.”

On recruiting: “Slow I guess you could say. I talk to a lot of college coaches. It seems some of them are scared to offer. To me it doesn’t really matter how tall you are as long as you get the job done.” Morgan is 6-0.

Invite any three people to dinner: “That’s pretty tough. Bill Gates would be one of them. Tom Brady and then Troy Aikman. I follow [New England and Dallas]. I’m really a true Cowboys fan.”

On Matoaca game Friday: “Big game to start the district off. We started off with them last year, and I think that was the week I got player of the week last year. I’m just going to try to do the same thing. You go at every team like they are going to be the best team you ever play.”

One wish: “More wishes.”

On coach Billy Mills: “Ever since he came into the program it’s been a complete flip-flop. Our whole coaching staff works very hard.
He puts us in our weight program. It’s pretty tough. He’s just a great guy overall. He’ll do anything for his kids and he’s shown everybody that.”

Funniest teammate: “David Abbey (RT). I’ve known him for a while. He’s just one of my great friends. He’s got a great personality. He can make you smile over anything.”

– Stephen M. Lewis

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Records as of Monday, Sept. 22
(All games Friday, 7:30 p.m. unless
noted)

Team (Record, previous ranking)

1. Meadowbrook (3-0, 1): idle. Next up: vs. Thomas Dale.

2. Varina (4-0, 3):
beat No. 4 Hermitage 22-8.
Next up: at Atlee.

3. Deep Run (3-0, 2): beat No. 5 Hanover 21-14.
Next up: vs. John Marshall.

4. Highland Springs
(2-1, 6): beat Mills Godwin 33-14. Next up: vs. No. 6 Hanover.

5.
L.C. Bird
(2-1, 7): beat No. 8 Manchester 34-0. Next up: vs. Huguenot.

6. Hanover (2-1, 5): lost to No. 2 Deep Run 21-14.
Next up: at No. 4 Highland Springs.

7. Hermitage (1-2, 4): lost to No. 3 Varina 22-8.
Next up: vs. Mills Godwin.

8. Clover Hill (3-1, 9): beat Huguenot 38-0. Next up: vs. Manchester.

9. Patrick Henry (2-1, 10): beat Lee-Davis 14-13. Next up: J.R. Tucker.

10. Cosby (3-0,
NR): beat James River 44-0. Next up: at Monacan.

Others
receiving votes: Dinwiddie
(2-1, NR); Manchester (2-1, 8); Monacan (3-0, NR); Petersburg (3-0, NR)

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