Bay Rivers District preview: Warhill, Lafayette, York set to repeat three-way battle for the title
The Bay Rivers District ended in a three-way tie for first last year among Lafayette, Warhill and York, as they finished 1-1 head to head and beat everyone else. The games between them were close, with quarterback Luke Hanson leading Lafayette to a comeback win over York and Jordin Lennon returning an interception for a touchdown on the final play as York beat Warhill before 6-foot-4 run-stoppers Nate Coffey and Luke Holmes stifled Lafayette’s vaunted rushing attack to give Warhill its first-ever win over the Rams.
All of the aforementioned game-changers have graduated and, in a district race expected to be as close as last year’s, the team best able to replace them should win the district. Most give Warhill a slight edge based on the bevy of skill talent operating behind an offensive line that returns intact.
But York returns almost every key player save Norfolk State recruit Lennon, and spring 2021 Class 3 state champ Lafayette is restocking after losing six starters to injury or transfer before last season and several others to injury during it. Improved Tabb will look to join the party of three.
1. Warhill Lions
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Coach: Jerome Rhodes, 24-7 in three seasons
Last season: 11-2 overall, 8-1 district
On the field: Preseason No. 1 designation is a first for the Lions and, with lots of big guns gone from a defense that dominated Warwick (twice), Lafayette and Hampton last year, perhaps a precarious one. But in the event the Lions struggle defensively, they have so much skill talent, playing behind the veteran line, they can outscore good teams. Running backs Liam Francisque and Jaedyn McAdoo and receivers Taylen Eady and Ta’vyion Blockett give the Lions the most explosive set of skill players in the district. McAdoo ran for 718 yards and 10 TDs last year and Francisque for 571 yards. Eady, who will carry the ball some, averaged 23.3 yards on eight receptions before he was sidelined by an injury. Christopher Newport-bound tackle Kevin Lee (6-2, 290) leads the experienced O-line. QB Chase O’Neil started four games last season, is athletic and has a good arm. The strength of a young defense will be the skill standouts like defensive backs Blockett, Francisque and Eady.
2. Lafayette Rams
Classification: Class 3 Region A
Coach: Andy Linn, 117-17 in 11 seasons
Last season: 7-3 overall, 7-1 district
On the field: The Rams have some firepower, starting with Navy recruit Jaylen Pretlow (5-10, 175), who had more than 1,500 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns a year ago. While replacing a Luke Hanson-caliber talent at quarterback will be difficult, junior Hayden Oleksy (6-1, 180), a transfer from Jamestown, brings a year of experience as a varsity starter. Linn says he’s tough, smart and can throw as well as run the option. Physical running back Demarcus Lawrence (6-1, 220) returns after rushing for 1,200 yards and 13 TDs, and will operate behind a line that includes veterans Todd Neville, Kamari Scott, Jayson McCormick and Colby Quinn. Neville, Scott and Lawrence will start at the front of the defense, where linebackers Nazeer Wolmart and James Spencer should be very good. Pretlow, Jaylin Wolmart and Elijah Matthews give the Rams a trio of talented defensive backs.
3. York Falcons
Classification: Class 3 Region A
Coach: Doug Pereira, 100-64 in 15 seasons
Last season: 11-2 overall, 8-1 district
On the field: Although most of the rest of the offense returns, Lennon is a massive loss. He ran for more than 2,100 yards and got the ball on almost every crucial call. Nate Wagner’s return, after missing the final eight games with an injury, provides welcome stability for a team that used three other quarterbacks after he went down. His top receivers, Immanuel Allen and Hayden Middleton, are potential game-breakers, as are running backs Zacchaeus Maxfield and Shamarius Whitby, so the Falcons could be as explosive as a group as they were with Lennon alone. Offensive linemen Hayden Blanchard, Xavier Ransome and Sean Blaylock started a year ago. The Falcons should have one of their best defenses in years with linebacker Whitby and big lineman Jamison Battle (5-11, 265 pounds) leading the way up front, while the talented secondary returns intact.
4. Tabb Tigers
Classification: Class 3 Region A
Coach: Brent Ashley, 5-6 in one season
Last season: 5-6 overall, 5-4 district
On the field: Tabb celebrates its 50th anniversary of football this season, a history that includes three state championships, and Ashley, 25, is laser-focused on returning the Tigers to the glory they experienced in the first 22 years of their existence. He hopes the five-game winning streak to end the 2021 regular season is the start of big things to come. Mike Alleyne, a big key to the Tigers’ turnaround when he took over the quarterback spot near midseason, returns. So, too, does strong, fast running back Dimarcus Gantt, who ran for 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns. The wide receiver corps is deep and talented, but Diego Marin is the only returner who started full-time on the offensive line last year. Defensively, the Tigers return nine of 11 starters from a team that allowed just 21 points in the five regular-season wins. Linebackers Elijah Williams (Arkansas offer), Nate Lawhorn and Cam Dixon lead the unit.
5. New Kent Trojans
Classification: Class 3 Region A
Coach: John McCauley, 9-8 in two seasons
Last season: 5-5 overall, 4-5 district
On the field: After fielding their strongest team in more than a decade in the spring ‘21 season, the Trojans, beset by injuries and transfers, were less impressive in the fall. With 13 starters returning and some key players back from injury, the Trojans should be more competitive against the top BRD teams. McCauley says quarterback AJ Whitlow is “the toughest kid I have and one of the top players in the region.” Running back Joe Batkins ran for close to 1,000 yards despite missing two games because of injury. CNU recruit Ryan Grey will be moved to multiple positions in an attempt to get him the ball. The line is, typically for New Kent, big. Payton Williamson and Cincere Hicks both tip the scales at more than 315 pounds, but Kellen Roberts, a mere 240 pounds, is the most athletic lineman. Roberts, who missed last season with an injury, will join wrestler Seth Bayens on a rugged D-line.
6. Poquoson Islanders
Classification: Class 2 Region A
Coach: Elliott Duty, 116-71 in 16 seasons
Last season: 6-5 overall, 5-4 district
On the field: The Islanders, state semifinalists in spring ‘21, are in a bit of a rebuild. Still, everyone, Duty included, expects them to win as many as they lose against the larger Bay Rivers schools and be ready to contend against the schools their size in the Class 2 Region A playoffs. The Islanders are deep, as always, at running back, led by speedy Baker Green and powerful Chase Bullard. Sophomore Eli Tyndall, a rising baseball star, and versatile Adonis Stowers have looked good as they compete for the starting quarterback job. Size is a concern on the offensive line, and everywhere, really, but Jaden Mulrine, Rylan Hinson and Dusan Murianka are experienced. Stowers and all-region wide receiver Ron Foskett are the prime athletes in a secondary that will be a strength on defense. The linebacker corps is deep and the defensive line is quick, though small.
7. Smithfield Packers
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Coach: Tracey Parker, first season at Smithfield, 61-89 in 15 seasons overall
Last season: 3-7 overall, 3-5 district
On the field: High school coaches generally feel if they have good offensive and defensive lines, they can be competitive. New Packers coach Parker, the defensive coordinator for Class 3 state champion Phoebus last season, says the lines are his team’s biggest strength. Seniors James Sessoms (6-1, 265) and Taihrel Miles (6-2, 280) and juniors Warren Oliver (6-4, 285) and Graham Rountree (6-2, 235) are the top linemen. Seniors Keith Eure (5-10, 175) and Markese Custis battled for the quarterback spot in preseason, with sophomore Merlin Lance likely to be a primary target for the winner. Speedy Christopher Dennis will get lots of carries from the Packers’ multiple sets, while smart defensive back Kevin Parker (4.2 GPA) will lead the defense. The Packers are something of a mystery to other coaches, but Tracey Parker, a head coach for 15 seasons at Bethel and Nansemond River, likes his talent level.
8. Grafton Clippers
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Co-coaches: Creighton Incorminias, first season at Grafton and 13-30 in five seasons overall; Max Bolton, first season
Last season: 1-9 overall, 0-8 district
On the field: Head-coaching hire David Coccoli reversed field and decided to return to Phoebus as assistant principal just a few days before the start of practice, but that might not be the calamity it appears. Incorminias, the head coach at Bethel the past three seasons, and Bolton, Bethel’s defensive coordinator, have been working with the players since Coccoli’s hire. Incorminias is pleased with the talent level and the “buy-in” of the 75-player roster larger than in recent seasons. That includes all-region tight end Gabe Sanchez and sophomore running back Colton Sandiford, who netted 166 yards and ran for a 60-yard touchdown in the Clippers’ scrimmage against Bethel. Koy Snyder and Dylan Swisher give the Clippers a pair of capable options at quarterback. Darrius Franklin, Kyler Coleman and athletic freshman Makale Barnett will contribute at multiple skill positions.
9. Jamestown Eagles
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Coach: Scott Lambin, first season
Last season: 1-8 overall, 1-6 district
On the field: Lambin, who coached Jamestown’s first junior varsity in years, moves up to become the program’s eighth varsity coach in a decade. He bleeds Jamestown green and brings a passion and enthusiasm for the school and program lacking in some recent coaches. He inherits decent size in linemen Coen Glavas (6-4, 305), Jeremiah Pearson (5-10, 230), John Clinton (6-2, 225), Michael Cypress (6-0, 215) and fullback Jared Russett (6-3, 250). Lambin likes the poise of quarterback Julian Colorado, whose weapons include running backs Nick Napora, Charmarion Cotman and Damian Tavarez. Linebacker Sam Tighe will lead a defense that will emphasize flying to the football in numbers. Participation is up significantly, and Lambin is pleased with his players’ enthusiasm. If the attitude endures and the Eagles win a few games, “interim” coach Lambin will become a keeper.
10. Bruton Panthers
Classification: Class 2 Region A
Coach: Barrington Morrison, 3-7 in one season
Last season: 3-7 overall, 0-4 district
On the field: Things are looking up. The Panthers shook off three consecutive winless seasons with a pair of victories (and a forfeit win) a year ago, and participation is rising. Bruton, which canceled multiple games in the spring ‘21 season because it had fewer than 20 players, boasts almost 55 now. The best of the bunch is senior Trey Corbin (5-11, 195), who ran for 726 yards and six touchdowns in addition to leading the defense at linebacker before he was sidelined by an ankle injury after five games. Sophomore Brandon Freeman, a standout point guard in basketball, brings athleticism to the quarterback position. Ty Yates, Josiah Selby and Noah Hodges give the Panthers size and experience on the lines. Emmet Robinson, an all-state goalie in soccer, is a reliable kicker. Look for the Panthers, who play numerous non-district games against similar small schools, to flirt with .500.
Marty O’Brien, 757-247-4963, mjobrien@dailypress.com
