Private schools preview: Nansemond-Suffolk, Norfolk Academy, Atlantic Shores all look to succeed with newcomers
The fall of 2021 was one of the best seasons ever for private schools in Hampton Roads. Atlantic Shores went undefeated and won a Virginia Independent Schools Football Association championship, while Portsmouth Christian and Greenbrier Christian also earned state titles. Nansemond-Suffolk advanced to the playoffs.
The challenge for those teams and their local rivals will be to continue thriving with a sizable number of new players.
Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools
Catholic Crusaders
Classification: VISAA Division I
Coach: John Harlow, 4-10 in two seasons
Last season: 3-7
On the field: The Crusaders are coming off a year in which they beat Norfolk Christian, Christchurch and Hargrave Military Academy, but five of their losses were by at least 39 points. The program’s online roster shows 49 players, and several of them are coming off All-TCIS seasons: Wide receiver Seth Burnham; lineman John Custis; Evan Vega, who has moved from tight end to wide receiver and running back; outside linebacker/defensive end Alex Rios and defensive back Nate Hathaway, who also plays receiver. They’ll need to replace versatile Cody Parret, who graduated and now plays for Hampden-Sydney. Lineman Jackson Thomas and tight end/linebacker Kyle Markey, who both transferred from Cox, should help. Harlow took over as the interim coach in the spring of 2021 and is hoping to be over .500 for the first time, though making the playoffs in stacked Division I is quite difficult. “We do not have a large roster, so staying healthy and on the field will be key for us being able to put together a winning season,” Harlow said.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Saints
Classification: VISAA Division II
Coach: Mike Biehl, 31-25 in six seasons
Last season: 7-4
On the field: 2021 TCIS Player of the Year George Pettaway is off to the North Carolina Tar Heels, but NSA brings back first-team all-conference quarterback Gabriel Wansart, a senior who threw for 1,466 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Junior Isaiah Fuhrmann (20 catches, 203 yards, three TDs) should be his top target. Two-way senior lineman Andres Afocx, junior linebacker Matt Carson and sophomore back Howard Casterlow could spark the defense. Versatile TE/QB/DE Max Russell, offensive lineman Max Blust and two-way lineman Rob Clemow hope to make the most of their senior years. The Saints earned a state semifinal berth, falling 55-14 to North Cross in Roanoke. “We graduated so many talented players off of last year’s team that the single most important thing for us will be coming together and attacking this season as one,” Biehl said. “We have talented players coming back with experience, but we have many players looking to step into roles they have never occupied and play more snaps than they ever have.”
Norfolk Academy Bulldogs
Classification: VISAA Division I
Coach: Steve Monninger, 60-41 in 11 seasons
Last season: 5-4
On the field: The Bulldogs followed a 3-0 spring 2021 by staying above .500 in the fall. They’ll need to replace several All-TCIS players, including their only first-team all-state D-I choice, defensive lineman Oliver Jones, and an athlete who played three sports for Norfolk Academy for six consecutive years: Nate DeLorenzo, who’s now at Gettysburg College. Junior Cooper Tyszko threw for 1,548 yards and 17 TDs, prompting Monninger to say, “We are excited about our updated brand of spread offense that accentuates distributing the ball to several players while keeping defenses off balance with RPOs (run-pass options).” Second-team all-state athlete James Benedetto, All-TCIS defensive back Zahir Griffith, All-TCIS linebacker Kaleb Doyle, WR/DB Jordan Epps, senior RB/DB back Andrew Grubb, senior lineman Logan Pausch and junior WR/DB Charlie Violette could provide leadership and big plays as other Bulldogs emerge. “We have a very good wide receiver group,” Monninger said. “Our QB is very talented. Expect to put some points on the board this year.”
Norfolk Christian Ambassadors
Classification: VISAA Division II
Coach: Tim Bender, 25-25 in eight years
Last season: 2-8, 0-3 TCIS
On the field: The Ambassadors are trying to bounce back from a 2-11 mark in the calendar year of 2021, combining the shortened spring and full fall and seasons. Optimism is high, though. “If we can stay healthy up front and run the ball well, we can be successful behind a stronger offensive line than we have had in recent years,” Bender said. “The same defensively — if we can create pressure up front, we should be able to compete with anyone.” Senior transfers Jackson Werry (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) and Jasper Werry (6-5, 295), who earned all-district honors in Texas, should join returning second-team all-state choice Brody Johnson in anchoring that line. Tight end/linebacker Chase Sisco was a second-team all-state defensive lineman a year ago, and multi-sport athletes Brennan Burton and Jacob Pryor should compete to start at quarterback. Versatile Cole Risk, track standout Chris Joseph and multi-sport athletes Vann Baggett, Greer Barclay and Elias Field, a freshman, seek to contribute at the skill positions.
Other private schools
Atlantic Shores Christian Seahawks
Classification: VISAA Division II
Coach: Wayne Lance
Last season: 12-0
On the field: The defending state champion Seahawks are starting to set a high standard, going 5-1 in a shortened fall 2020 season before surging to the top with an undefeated season, capped by a 36-26 victory over North Cross of Roanoke in the title game. Reigning state D-II Defensive Player of the Year Kaden Beatty, a premier pass-rusher who has committed to Kent State, probably will get plenty of attention from foes. Wide receiver/running back Ameer Ali and left tackle/defensive end Nathaniel McDonald — who has played on the varsity since eighth grade — should anchor Atlantic Shores. The Seahawks need to replace state Player of the Year Kai Hodge, a two-way star who’s now an Old Dominion safety; state Co-Offensive Player of the Year Damien Mazil, now a Wagner quarterback; and all-state defensive back/wide receiver Brandon Peterson, who plays for Christopher Newport. “We’ve got some good camp battles,” Lance said. “One bone for several to fight over — that kind of thing. The key is staying healthy. We’ve got a good group of seniors, and we’ll develop some people and see who they become.”
Isle of Wight Academy Chargers
Classification: VISAA Division II
Coach: Dale Chapman, 177-105 in 29 seasons
Last season: 6-4
On the field: The Chargers often rely on a bevy of two-way players. They’ll need to replace Jonathan “JT” Taylor, a first-team all-state running back and punt returner who has walked on to Liberty University’s team, and second-team all-state offensive lineman Tyler Ricks, who is a freshman on Ferrum’s team. Jackson Cofer, a second-team all-state selection at wide receiver and linebacker, should be a focal point.
Portsmouth Christian Patriots
Classification: VISAA Division III
Coach: Josh Blalock, 45-35 in nine years
Last season: 10-2
On the field: The Patriots reached the pinnacle last season, avenging a regular-season loss to defeat St. Michael the Archangel 27-21 for the state championship. But they’ll have to replace many of the key contributors from that team, including 2021 state D-III Player of the Year Ja’Montae Wallace and several fellow first-team all-state selections. “After graduating 10 seniors, we will need guys to step up into prime-time roles and perform at a high level,” Blalock said. “Our kids have worked very hard this offseason and are really excited to try and get back to the playoffs. So far in practice, this team seems very hungry and excited to get the season going.” Junior Napoleon Ellison could replace Chase Harsh, now playing for Division II West Virginia Wesleyan, at quarterback. DJ Gambrell and William Beasley could be crucial up front, and transfers from Chesapeake could help. They include lineman Aric Cooper and his former Western Branch teammate Tramari Weathers, running back/linebacker Collins Redd from Oscar Smith and defensive end/offensive tackle Nathan Harris Jr. from Deep Creek.
Greenbrier Christian Gators
Classification: Virginia Independent Schools Football League Division 1
Coach: Kevin Washington, 17-8 in three seasons
Last season: 8-3
On the field: The Gators, who play a fast-paced version of eight-man football, followed a dominant 3-0 spring with their first Virginia Independent Schools Football League state championship, beating Virginia Episcopal of Lynchburg 34-22 in the title game after a regular-season defeat to VES. Greenbrier — with just two seniors — must replace almost all of the key ball-handlers from the title team. New quarterback Jonathan Ashe “is a heck of an athlete” for the option scheme, Washington said. Sophomore linebacker Luke Webber, sophomore defensive back/wide receiver Malcolm Forbes, wide receiver Thomas Conrad, kick returner D.J. Caban and defensive back Maison Nance, who all gained all-state honors, figure to return to key roles. Hickory transfers Ethan Gosman and Tucker Basnight could contribute, and Hayden Streeter is replacing two-time all-state kicker Whitaker Brown. Beset in camp by injuries, the Gators lost 28-20 in their opener Aug. 19 at Faith Christian in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Greenbrier might gain more company in the eight-man ranks in future seasons as football participation at some schools is declining. The Gators weren’t playing 11-man TCIS football, but next year their sports program in general will be in the Metro Conference instead of the TCIS.
