Beach District preview: Green Run, coming off the program’s best season, leads the pack. Can Kempsville, Bayside, Salem contend?
Green Run and Princess Anne will once again be the teams to beat in the Beach District this season.
The Stallions, the district defending champions, are coming off a memorable season that included the program’s first region title.
The Chiefs return many key pieces from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and won a playoff game since 1994. Kempsville fell 21-17 to Green Run the Class 5 Region A championship game.
The teams won’t have to wait long for a rematch: Kempsville visits Green Run in the season opener for both teams Friday.
A look at each team in predicted order of finish:
1. Green Run Stallions
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Brandon Williams, 23-26 in five seasons
Last season: 13-1 overall, 10-0 district
On the field: The Stallions are coming off the program’s greatest season as they rolled to the Beach District title and Class 5 Region A championship. Gone are quarterback Xavier Davis and wide receiver Tayon Holloway — both first-team All-Tidewater selections. But the Stallions return plenty of talent and got some key transfers, including former Menchville QB Kevin White, who threw for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He’ll have several weapons, including four-star receiver Keylen Adams — the top junior prospect in the state — and three-star receiver Tasean Young-Stieff. The talent doesn’t stop there as they also have two three-star defensive backs in Tyler Baker and Milton Ferguson. “We won the Beach District for the first time in a long time and played in the state semifinals for the first time ever,” said Stallions coach Brandon Williams. “The key for our team to be successful this year is to remain humble and focus on the week at hand, and not ahead.
2. Kempsville Chiefs
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Daryl Cherry, 12-13 in three seasons
Last season: 9-2 overall, 7-1 district
On the field: Cherry believed great things were in store last season — and he was right as Kempsville nearly won the Beach District title. Now they try to make a run at their first district title since 1996. They are led by running back NaiQuan “The Bus” Washington-Pearce, who last season rushed for 1,179 yards and 15 touchdowns to earn All-Tidewater and all-state honors. They also have all-around athlete Quran Boyd. The Chiefs have to find ways to get the ball in his hands. And they have First Colonial transfer Nate Clark, All-Beach District and all-region at tight end. This gives quarterback Noah Lee many weapons to choose from. The line will be anchored by Shaun Sanders and Deacon Rawls.
3. Bayside Marlins
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Jon White, 55-41 in eight seasons
Last season: 6-5 overall, 6-4 district
On the field: White loves the cohesiveness of this team. That’s why he’s excited about this season. Having a player like Leon Griffin III doesn’t hurt either. The Duke commit is one of the best two-way players in Hampton Roads at free safety and running back. Other players to watch include QB Mike Myers, OL/DL Tristan Woodley, WR/CB Aaron Evans and C/DT Malik Bryan. “Our athleticism is impressive and the physicality is where it needs to be for us to be successful,” White said.
4. Salem SunDevils
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Marcus Johnson-Williams, 8-3 in one season
Last season: 8-3 overall, 7-2 district
On the field: Johnson-Williams did a remarkable job last season. First, he had to replace Shawn Wilson, who had a successful run at Salem. He also lost QB Saquan Miles, who transferred to Maury. He has plenty of talent returning, including TE/DL Ari Watford, a sophomore who already has nearly 20 offers, including those from Georgia, North Carolina, Penn State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Virginia. The SunDevils also have WR/LB Ahmarri Williams, OL/DL Grant Gaffney, RB/LB Ravon Moore and WR/DB Jahrell Walton.
5. Landstown Eagles
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Robert Jackson, second stint at Landstown, 145-54 in 18 seasons (also coached at Bayside and Norcom)
Last season: 1-8 overall, 1-7 district
On the field: Many were surprised when Jackson returned to the sidelines after leaving Salem to go into administration. But he’s back, and he’s expecting to be successful. Jackson led Bayside to back-to-back Beach District titles in 1999 and 2000, winning 26 games over three seasons. He also won more than 100 games over 11 seasons at Salem. In his lone season at Norcom, he led the Greyhounds to a 7-5 mark, including a berth in the Class 3 Region A Tournament. The only time he had a losing season was in 2001 when he opened Landstown. Now, he wants to make it right. Leading the way are DE Xavier Glass, LB Malachi Adolph, LB Seth Hamler, DB Chris Nyeanchi, DE Avir Johnson, QB Zack Ruello, DB Nayir Valentine, OL/DL Cohen Jones and OL Jackson Thomas.
6. Cox Falcons
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Alan Faneca, 7-5 in first season
Last season: 7-5 overall, 6-4 district
On the field: It was a good 2021 for Alan Faneca. In July, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and in November, he guided the Falcons to a 6-5 record and playoff appearance in his first season. He’s hoping for more success this season led by WR/DB Jordin Cooper, who is one of the most talented players in Hampton Roads. The Falcons also have DE/TE Gerard Johnson, QB Gage Trefry OL/DL Aiden Manning and WR/DB Dominic Theibault.
7. Tallwood Lions
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: John Kepple, 47-63 in 11 seasons
Last season: 4-7 overall, 4-6 district
On the field: The Lions haven’t had a winning season since 2018, and Tallwood has had just three winning seasons in the past 10. But Kepple feels good about this season with an anchor in lineman Isaiah Coley (6-2, 280), who was all-region and All-Beach District. The Lions also have RB/LB Reggie Custalow, OL/DL Tyler Ziemba, WR/DB Nazhon Savage and RB/OLB Marquis Stevens.
8. Kellam Knights
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Brian Neas, 3-7 in first season
Last season: 3-7 overall, 3-7 district
On the field: Neas helped lead the Knights to a three-win season in his first year, which was a big because the previous year the Knights suffered their first winless season. This season should be even better led by Gavin Hill, who will be key on both sides of the ball in the secondary and at running back. The Knights also have RB/LB Kolby Stricklin, TE/DE Trevor Spencer and LB David Wilk. Neas also is encouraged that he has a 30-member freshman class.
9. Ocean Lakes
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: James Yeager, 5-5 in first year at Ocean Lakes; 21-10 in three seasons overall
Last season: 5-5, overall, 5-5 district
On the field: The Dolphins have been to the postseason 13 times since 2000, including last season. To make it back this season, Yeager said his players must mature quickly. They will be led by RB/LB RJ Gatlin, RB/DB Jordan McNair, LB Ethan Mapstone, RB/LB Jayden Bryant and WR/DB JQ Robertson. “We have a very young team and a lot of people are going to be starting their first varsity game this year,” Yeager said. “We have to play as a team and execute at a high level.”
10. First Colonial
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Ty Traister, 1-9 first season
Last season: 1-9 overall, 1-9 district
On the field: Traister went 1-9 in his first year at the helm, but he’s excited about this season. That’s because he returns many talented players who should help the Patriots continue to improve. They are led by G/DT Colin Pedersen and running back Daquan Smith, who rushed for more than 700 yards last season. Both earned second-team All-Beach District honors. They also have WR Khalil Hester (312 yards receiving), TE Joey Cuellar and DB Kyler Edwards (66 tackles).
11. Princess Anne
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Jesse Litton, 1-7 in first season
Last season: 1-7 overall, 1-7 district
On the field: Litton begins his second season at Princess Anne. He’s optimistic that the Cavaliers will bounce back from last year’s one-win season. Their strength will be the line where Gabe Navarro (6-3, 275) and Gio Vinson (6-2, 245) will be the anchors. He’s also very high on WR/SS Isaiah Hodnett, along with Ajani Martin and Vonnie Wiggins.
Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.
