Rod Johnson's High School Football Thoughts

We are just a few days away from the start of the season, and here are the thoughts of statewide football editor for Virginia Preps.com, Rod Johnson.

When compiling a preseason AAA Top Ten ranking for the state, the first question that you ask yourself is, "who are the best teams in the state?" and the subtext to that question is, "who will win the Division 5 and Division 6 state championship games this season?"

As a guy who majored in history in college, I like to look for patterns in the past to see if that can help predict the future and, in looking at the past five seasons, an interesting (and not surprising) pattern emerged -- teams winning a state championship at the AAA level performed very well the previous season.

By "very well", I don't mean an 8-2, or 9-1 record or something like that, I'm talking playoff experience well. Note that the last ten state champions (five from D5 and five from D6) all have, at worst, played in the regional championship game the season before.

That's good news for fifteen teams who meet that qualification coming into 2009 (Liberty-Bealeton has moved to Division 4) -- Oscar Smith, Varina, Oakton, Meadowbrook, Woodbridge, Ocean Lakes, Chantilly, Phoebus, Osbourn, Dinwiddie, Stone Bridge, GW-Danville, Hanover, Edison, and Lake Taylor.

Now, determining who will rank in the top ten and where they will rank is a simple procedure of talking to sources and arguing amongst the regional writers until we reach a place where everyone is comfortable. Those results can be seen here. Those rankings predict a repeat performance for Oscar Smith in Division 6 and a second state championship win in four years for the Osbourn Eagles who drop to Division 5 this season after losing the D6 title game last season and winning it in 2006.

However, letting the past five years predict the future, we get very different results.
No team has repeated as state champs in the past five years.

Sorry, Oscar Smith and Phoebus, you're fighting against a tough history as the bulls eyes on your backs have been too much for most teams to overcome. Thirteen teams left in contention.
Only one state runner up has returned to the title game to win it the following year (Landstown 2004).

That puts heat on Dinwiddie and Osbourn. Landstown had Percy Harvin on their roster, neither the Generals or Eagles seem to have a five-star talent like that on their roster this season so let's bump them. Eleven teams remaining.

Three teams have won their region, lost in the semis, then come back to win it all (Oscar Smith 2008, Phoebus 2008, and Hampton 2005).

Since it has only happened out of the Eastern Region and no team from the Tidewater area fits that description this season, we are going to eliminate the programs who are in that situation from the other quadrants of the state -- Varina, Oakton and Stone Bridge.

That leaves us with eight teams, all regional runners up from last season: Meadowbrook, Woodbridge Ocean Lakes and Chantilly in Division 6 and GW-Danville, Hanover, Edison and Lake Taylor in Division 5. Good news for those programs -- six of the past ten champions in AAA football lost in the regional championship the season before -- '04 Meadowbrook, '05 Oakton, '06 Osbourn, '06 Phoebus, '07 Westfield and '07 Stone Bridge all completed that run.

Three did it in Division Five and three did it in Division Six. It has happened in all four regions of the state, most often in the Northern where three of the six winners have followed that path including both 2007 champs.

The past two years have brought us regional sweeps with the Northern pulling the trick in 2007 (Westfield and Stone Bridge) and the East matching the feat in 2008 (Oscar Smith and Phoebus). For that to happen again, the tandems would be...
Meadowbrook and Hanover (Central)
Ocean Lakes and Lake Taylor (Eastern)
Chantilly and Edison (Northern)
Woodbridge and GW-Danville (Northwest)

Going back to the top ten rankings for the best teams in the state, VirginiaPreps has ranked both Ocean Lakes and Lake Taylor as top ten teams.

Another Eastern Region sweep? I wouldn't predict it, but recent history is on their side.

Rod Johnson's High School Football Thoughts

Even on vacation, Rod Johnson can help out "The Sports Buffet Podcast". He penned this from the Outer Banks.

I'm lucky enough to be writing this blog from a deck at a beach house in the Outer Banks as I'm taking a long weekend vacation before the madness of the football season kicks into full gear and, during times like these, one comes to realize how much enjoyment one can get from the simple things in life -- family, food, nice weather, a walk on the beach and a backyard swimming pool (okay, perhaps that last one is a luxury item, but the point remains).

I bring that attitude to this blog entry because, I think, with the season kicking off in just over a week, it may be time to remind ourselves of the simple things that we can enjoy about the football season -- seeing the lights over neighborhood treelines on a Friday night, watching a future college or pro star play a game with his childhood friends probably for the last time, and catching a glimpse of a player who won't play at the next level reach his athletic peak with a touchdown that he will exaggerate about to his grandchildren.

Make no mistake about the fact that high school football is no longer a pure game. The amount of coverage from TV, radio, newspapers and Internet (including Virginia Preps.com, where I am the state editor) is insane relative to the fact that most of the players being covered are 15-, 16- and 17-year old kids who are still learning how to drive, ask out a girl and understand who they are and the adult that they will become down the road.

Arguments on message boards abound about high school football much the same way that fans argue about their pro and college teams. Rankings of teams and players are debated (sometimes hotly) as interest in and the business of covering high school football continues to grow.

Yet, as I sit here enjoying a simple weekend, I wonder why that attitude can't carry over into the season. Why can't we spend our Fall worried more about players who, for the most part, are enjoying the peak of their athletic careers. Sure, the select few are going to go on to bigger and better things, but years from now, do you want to remember where a player was ranked and who was ranked ahead or behind him? I know I don't.

I'd rather remember Percy Harvin not as the #1 ranked player in the nation but rather as the player who made my jaw drop in amazement almost every time that I saw him but none moreso than the 2004 state championship game where he singlehandedly carried his team to his school's first state championship.

I want to remember Phillip Sims for his outstanding performances in the state playoff games not for the arguments had about whether he should be ranked ahead of or behind Justin Hunter. I care about those rankings now but ultimately all that matters in the end is what happens on the field of play, so let's focus on the purity of that.

The real football season starts soon, let's enjoy the players and their play on the gridiron. That's what brought us all together to being with anyway.

Check out more from Rod, at the source for High School Sports, Virginia Preps.com

Womack to Play Basketball at Averett.

The Sports Buffet Podcast has learned that Dan River's Terrence Womack will continue his basketball career at Averett University next year. Womack was a key contributor to this past year's Dan River Wildcats, who were the Group A Division 2 runner up this past season.

Rod Johnson's High School Football Thoughts

Rod Johnson, of Virginia Preps.com, is always kind to contribute greatly to "The Sports Buffet", here is his blog entry this week.

I looked at the calendar the other day and realized that in less than two weeks, teams will begin scrimmaging. In fact, by the time that your read this blog entry, we'll be just over a week away from pads-popping practices against opponents. That means the start of the season is even closer than I thought. In about three weeks from now, I'll be spending weekends tracking down game scores that matter and, most importantly, I'll be travelling the state trying to check out the biggest games.I won't make all of these, but if gas and hotel money was no object, here's what I'd be doing...

August 28 - Venice (Fla) @ Oscar Smith...the Tigers will carry the Virginia state flag on the field against a Florida program sending their quarterback to the University of Florida next season. Those who can't make the game (sure to be a sell out) will be able to check it out on ESPNU, it's that big.

September 4 - Westfield @ Stone Bridge...Anything less than a regional championship at these two schools and people walk away disappointed. Any discussion of either of the AAA state championships starts with these two programs as each routinely ranks among the top ten teams in the state. Can't wait to see who plants their flag atop the NR mountain early.

September 11 - Varina @ Dinwiddie...the top-ranked team in the Central Region visits last year's Division five state runners up in a game that will surely test each of them early in the season.

September 18 - R.E. Lee (Staunton) @ Harrisonburg...Seeing the big line of Harrisonburg battle R.E. Lee's speed and athleticism would be fun and it would give us a nice early season look at two teams looking to establish themselves as AA contenders.

September 25 - C.D. Hylton @ Battlefield...As the Bulldogs try to climb back atop the Northwest Region mountain, they be racing Battlefield to the peak because the Bobcats have been on the verge of a deep playoff run for a couple of seasons now.

October 2 - Amherst County @ Pulaski County...A rematch of the stare semifinal game that wasn't decided until late in the fourth quarter smack dab in the middle of the season? Perfect!

October 9 - Westfield @ Oakton...the Concorde District is almost indisputably the best in the state and these two programs have been the best in the district for a couple of years now. No doubt the Northern Region powerhouses will give the crowd a game to remember and it may be only their first meeting of the season.

October 16 - Green Run @ Ocean Lakes...the Dolphins play host to the Beach's district's second place team last year and the one expected to most challenge them for this year's title. Division I athletes abound in this game with the Stallions carrying three with offers and Ocean Lakes carrying at least four.

October 23 - Phoebus @ Hampton...a crowded and loud neighborhood battle that features two schools who circle each other year round as fans ask the kids about the game at street fairs, McDonald's, school and the barber shop. There is no escaping this game.

October 30 - Chancellor @ James Monroe...two AA regional powers square off in a late season meeting as both likely prepare for postseason runs. The Battlefield District championship could be on the line in this one so bragging rights and the postseason will be in play.

November 6 - Franklin @ Sussex Central...The defending Division I state champions travel to meet the #5-ranked Tigers in a game played just weeks before the playoffs start. Both teams should be primed for a battle.

November 12 - Varina @ Highland Springs...the two highest ranked teams in the Central Region meet up just one week before the playoffs start. The game might decide who gets in and who is left out or it could just be a prelude to a second meeting. Either way, the action will be intense and playing it on a Thursday night could raise the stakes even further as a huge crowd will gather.

What will Rod have next week? What do you want to ask Rod? E-Mail me at TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net and we'll forward along your question to Rod for use in a future blog.

Jefferson Forest LB Andrew Brown commits to the University of Richmond

Jefferson Forest LB Andrew Brown contacted me tonight with the information that he has committed to the University of Richmond.

Brown, the 45th ranked best senior in the state for 2010 according to Virginia Preps.com, told me that he decided on the University of Richmond because "Richmond's academics and the relationships that I had with all of the coaches were the biggest factors in my commitment to Richmond".

Congratulations to Andrew Brown and we'll keep in touch with him throughout the season.

Rod Johnson's High School Football Blog

Rod Johnson of Virginia Preps.com has agreed to submit a blog for us each Tuesday during the high school football season (and hopefully every Tuesday) for the rest of Rod's life. Got a question for Rod that you'd like him to answer in a future blog, e-mail me at TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net and we'll pass along the question to him. Now heeeeeeeeeres Rod.

By the time this blog entry is being read, the countdown clock for the beginning of the high school football season on the front page of www.VirginiaPreps.com will be somewhere around the 23-day mark. That's right, just over three weeks until the first game in Virginia kicks off and, like most of you, I can't wait!
Like any other season, there's plenty of great storylines to track and plenty of questions to answer.
Let's take a look at some of them...
1. It's been seven years since the Central Region has sent a team into the Division Six state championship game but with both Varina and Highland Springs ranking among the top four teams in the Division Six preseason poll, is it time for a Richmond-area team to make a title run? Hard to say given that a state semifinal game against the top-ranked and reigning state champion Oscar Smith Tigers could be on the docket.
2. Speaking of Oscar Smith, on August 28th, the second day of the football season, the Chesapeake-based program will become the first Virginia school to play a nationally-televised game on ESPNU as they take on Venice High School from Florida. How well will the Tigers carry the flag for the Commonwealth? Tune in to see.
3. The Stone Bridge Bulldogs have built one of the most powerful programs in the state but lost 20 of 22 starters from last season's team. How will the young, relatively unknown youngsters answer the call this season. Can they carry on the tradition or is this the year that some programs get their revenge on a the Northern Region power.
4. The Osbourn Eagles played in two of the last three D6 state title games and now they dropped down to Division Five. Ranked the #3 team in the state in our preseason poll, what impact will they have on the championship picture?
5. Is Region I capable of sweeping the AA state championship games? Powhatan appears to be loaded and ready to severely test Amherst and Broad Run in Division 4 while defending champion James Monroe looks strong enough to repeat as Division 3 champs.
6. Broad Run won the Division 4 state championship this year but have a new challenger rising up within their own region as Division 5 Northwest regional champion Liberty-Bealeton has been re-classified as a D4 squad setting up what could be a classic regional final contest provided both advance that far.
7. All this talk about possible state champions leads us to the Amherst Lancers who ruled the roost in both 2006 and 2007 before losing the 2008 Division 4 title game. Ranked the #2 team in the state, they're certainly favored to get back to the title contest, but we'll all be watching to see if they are ready to recapture their stranglehold on the division.
8. Salem and Pulaski have split their last two playoff meetings in Region IV and with both ranked in the top ten preseason poll, are they lined up for a rubber match to determine who is the power program in the area now?
9. In Region A, is Essex, the top-ranked team in the Single A state set to cruise into the D2 state semifinals with no other in-region program ranked in the top ten while Sussex Central, Colonial Beach and defending state champion Franklin provide one of the more exciting races for the Division 1 regional championship?
10. Is a possible Region B sweep in order this year as William Campbell (D1) and Gretna (D2) ranked among the top three in the state for Single A ball? It was just two years ago when Gretna and Buffalo Gap pulled it off.
11. In Region C action, Giles appears to be a legitimate state contender in D2, but will an underdog candidate emerge in the D1 race with no teams ranked in the top ten? Holston, Eastern Montgomery, Galax and Bath County seem to have the most potential but there's room for plenty more contenders out there.
12. It's been five years since a Region D team has won a Single A state championship (Gate City, 2003); can preseason region favorites Gate City or Clintwood make a run at the D2 title?

Remember check out Virginia Preps for all your high school sports need, whether it is sounding off on a message board or reading the latest on recruiting, Virginia Preps.com quenches your high school sports thirst. Questions, comments for me, you can send to TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net

Talking with Zack McCray (Brookville Defensive End)

High School Football, it's here! Practices being today, and check out your local newscast (if you are in the state of Virginia), and if a station is worth it's salt, they will have previews now up until the season (the DVR will be working, so I can watch WDBJ, WSLS and WSET). With that being said, I wanted to talk to one of the highest rated prospects in the country who makes his home in Central Virginia: Zack McCray of the Brookville Bees.

Bob Alvis: Before we talk about this season, let's first go back and talk about your commitment to the Virginia Tech Hokies. What were the biggest factors that made you commit to Virginia Tech?

Zack McCray: There were a few big factors in choosing Virigina Tech, that helped them stand out from the other schools. One, was the fact that they are not really deep at the defensive end position. It was really close between a few schools, but the potential to see playing time as a freshman helped make up my mind. Playing for Bud Foster and a top 10 defense was quite appealing! I also like the fact that its close to home. This allows my parents, grandparents, family, friends, and coaches the ability to support me, as well as Logan (Thomas) and I together. I have a great relationship with the Virginia Tech coaches and it felt comfortable, like family. Also, Virginia Tech is a National Championship contender, bowl contender and winner, and ACC contender and champion.

BA: Obviously, the first priority this season is the Brookville Bees, but how much are you going to bend your cousin's (Logan Thomas) ear to find out what college freshman go through their first year of Division 1 football?

ZM: My first priority like you said is Brookville, but on Saturdays I will be at almost all of the Virginia Tech games supporting my cousin and my future team. I think it is definitely a benefit and advantage for me to have Logan there at Virginia Tech. I will definitely bend his ear, so to speak, knowing what to expect, and the do's and don'ts. So, by the time I get to campus next summer it will be an easier transition from high school to college, both on and off the field.

BA: You are a nominee for the Titan Trophy. What would winning the award that goes to the best rising senior in Central Virginia mean to you?

ZM: It is an honor to be considered for the Titan award. There are so many great players in the area. I give credit to God, my family, coaches, teammates, and community for helping me get to this point. I have been blessed with God given talent and abilities and have gone the extra mile by working out above and beyond what is expected. I have been blessed with a wonderful Brookville team, teammates, and coaches to showcase my talents. Just as in receiving a full scholarship to VT, you could say by being nominated for this award, my hard work has paid off and been acknowledged. To be honored by my community, would be a great honor.

BA: Last year you couldn't mention Brookville football and not talk about Logan Thomas. It seems like this year that could be the case but just insert Zack McCray's name in there. Do you feel that you are the face of the program and are you comfortable with that responsibility?

ZM: (Laughing) I don't know if i would say the face of the program. We have so many good players on this Brookville team and a great group of seniors that will help lead the team. I am motivated and comfortable to lead by example on this Brookville team and to take any responsibility that I need to help my team win. I'm comfortable with being the one people look to in both good and bad times, both on and off the field. I hope to be a great role model and mentor to my younger teammates.

BA: I know it's hard for you to tell another guy from another school what to do, but for those guys who are top recruits and haven't committed to a school yet, what advantages do you think committing before the season would give those guys?

ZM: The advantages to committing to college before my senior season for me were the following. 1) It allowed me to relax (physically and mentally), 2) enjoy my summer(vacationing and spending time with my family and friends) and 3) focus on my senior season (lifting and working-out). Otherwise, I would still be traveling to colleges, still attending and competing in camps and combines, and fielding many calls, texts, and emails from colleges and coaches. Also, I don't have to worry about having to prove anything. I can just play my hardest, have fun, and focus on my team, as opposed to focusing on just myself.

BA: Now talking about this year's Brookville Bees team, what do you feel is a strength of this team that most people might not feel to be a strength of this team coming into the season?

ZM: Defense. I think the last few years our offense has been the main focal point of the program and this year I see the defense taking over.

BA: How hungry do you feel this team is going into the season considering the way last season ended?

ZM: I feel that we are hungrier, ever since we lost in a close game (State Championship against James Monroe, 50-46) at the end of the season. Most of us were in the weight room the next Monday after our loss. We were already pushing and encouraging each other, because none of us ever want to feel the disappointment that we felt after that game.

BA: Obviously, people think that it is going to be tough to replace Logan Thomas, but who else is going to be tough to replace off last year's team?

ZM: I feel like ALL of our last year seniors will be missed in one way or another. Besides Logan, I feel like Devin Bolling, Stacey Houston, Corby Weiss, Jarrett Bateman, and Corey Patterson will be most missed.

BA: We talked about who is going to be tough to replace off last year's team, who do you feel is ready to step up this season and who should people keep an eye on when they watch the Bees on Friday nights?

ZM: (Laughing) Keep an eye on Everyone! We have a very successful JV team moving up, but in particular from last year's squad, Lorenzo Smith, Ben Simmons, Michael Leeman, Zach Burns, David Brandt, Brett Woolard, and Alec Thompson. They all had good seasons last year and I just expect this one to be even better. We lost 21 seniors this past season. We will have a young team with lots to prove.

BA: The Seminole District is not an easy league to play in. What are your thoughts on the district this year?

ZM: I think it will be a very challenging season from beginning to end in the Seminole District. With some coaching changes and E.C. Glass coming into the district, it will be interesting to see the outcome. Everyone better be ready for each and every game because from top to bottom, there will be great competition. I believe it will come down to the final game to decide the season standings and play-off picture. I think the district is too difficult to predict games this early on in the season.

BA: Final question Zack, define a successful 2009 season for the Brookville Bees.

ZM: A successful 2009 season for the Brookville Bees is to WIN STATES! This will be our goal from the outset, nothing else can even compare. Last year we got there, this year we want to win it, no if's, and's, or but's.

BA: Thanks for your time and we look forward to talking to you for The Sports Buffet's blog and podcast throughout the season.

ZM: Thank you for everything and I look forward to talking to you in the future.

Follow the Bees all year long on this blog and "The Sports Buffet Podcast". For your one stop shopping, head to The Sports Buffet Podcast.

Talking with Michael Rocco (Liberty Christian Academy Quarterback)

High School Football is here. Practice starts today, and one team looking to capture a state title is the LCA Bulldogs. I had a chance to catch up with the signal caller of the Bulldogs, Michael Rocco for this talk about the LCA Bulldogs headed into the 2009 season.

Bob Alvis: When looking for a college to decide on, what were the important factors that made you think this would be a good fit?

Michael Rocco: The coaches and people. I also looked for the quality of competition, the quarterback tradition, and the christian presence.

BA: Why Louisville? What other schools were you deciding between?

MR: Louisville fit all those things and fit my needs well. I was offered by Louisville, Penn State, and Liberty. I was also being recruited by North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

BA: What advice did you receive from the football members in your family (your brother Chris, your father Frank, and your uncle Danny)?

MR: They were all involved in my decision making process, and there was an agreement between all that Louisville fit me best.

BA: Was it important to you to commit to a school before the season began? Why or Why not?

MR: It was nice to have the decision out of the way so that I can now on my senior season.

BA: Now looking ahead to this season, what do you feel are the team's strengths coming into the season?

MR: We have several key players with playing experience, but we also have many young players that will need to step up into key roles.

BA: You guys are going to play the Gretna Hawks this season. How big of a game do you feel that is, when most of your opponents are not known by football fans around here, but people certainly know the Gretna Hawks.

MR: We are excited to play Gretna and will be prepared for the challenge. They are one of three state champions that we play to open the season.

BA: What are this team's goals coming into the season?

MR: Our goal is to win the state championship this year.

BA: Most quarterbacks don't have the luxury to ask their brother or father questions about the position. How beneficial is it being in a football family?

MR: It is a great privilege to be blessed with such a knowledgeable family. It has meant a great deal to me to have their support and guidance through my career. They have provided me with everything i could have ever wanted in growing process as a player. I owe everything to my dad and family who have been there for me in my career.

BA: Final question, define a successful season for the LCA Bulldogs as a team and a successful individual season for Michael Rocco for the 2009 season.

MR: To reach our goals of winning the conference and the state. Also, for me to lead the team in accomplishing these goals while giving God all the glory.

BA: Thanks for your time and best of luck this season.

MR: Thanks for the interview opportunity, and my dad (Coach Frank Rocco) says hello.

I am psyched that the high school season to begin. The podcast is on track to be back very, very soon. But, fear not if you aren't a listener, you will still be able to read as I am prepared to blog all season long. If there is something (or someone) you want to hear on the blog or podcast, e-mail me at TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net

Talking with Andrew Brown (Linebacker-Jefferson Forest)

High School football practice gets underway this Monday. Football Friday, 1st & 10-The Highlight Show and Friday Football Extra will be back and a part of our Friday nights before we know it. With that being said, I decided to talk to Andrew Brown of Jefferson Forest. Brown is listed as a top 50 prospect by Virginia Preps and will be making a decision soon about what college he will attend next year. We spoke about that upcoming decision, the upcoming season and more.

Bob Alvis: Before we get into talking about the upcoming season, let's talk a little about your future. You are a top 50 prospect for 2010 according to Virginia Preps, you are in the running for the Titan Trophy (given to Central Virginia's best rising senior). When your football career started in high school, did you ever imagine that you'd be at this point headed into your senior year?

Andrew Brown: I had no idea, people always told me when I was younger that I shouldn't take football so seriously and just have fun because I wouldn’t go to the next level. I had a dream ever since middle school ball to play college football and it looks like its finally coming true. My parents and Coach Rice told me when I was younger that if I wanted it bad enough, I could do it, I just needed to put the work into it. Ever since that day I was in the weight room and on the track working everyday trying to achieve my personal goal. I am just grateful that I’ve received all this support and my hard work has finally seemed to pay off.

BA: Talking about the recruitment process, what type of school is a good fit for you? What types of things are you looking for outside of the football program.

AB: Academics have definitely been a major issue for me. I have always taken my school work very seriously, as I was accepted and currently attend Central Virginia Regional Governor’s School. I also have been on the honor roll every year I have attended Jefferson Forest. When I first realized that I had the potential to play college football, my Dad and I made of list of great academic schools from around the area that I would visit. I am either looking to major in business or nuclear engineering.

BA: When do you plan on making your decision of where you will be attending and what schools are on that short list?

AB: I plan on making my decision as soon as possible. I have narrowed my college selection down to University of Richmond, the Naval Academy, and Liberty University. I have received full football scholarships to all three schools and I have great relationships with all three coaching staffs. I am planning to make my decision in the next week or so.

BA: Why is it important to you to commit to a school before the season begins?

AB: I have taken a lot of time to visit all three of these schools, and I believe I have enough information to make an educated decision. I would like to make the decision before the season begins so that I can focus on my senior season. Also, I don't want it to become a distraction for my teammates so that we can focus on the big goal at the end of the road.

BA: Talk about your summer. It seemed like back in the day a lot of guys just lifted during the off-season but now there are all types of camps and everything else going during the summer, what has your summer looked like?

AB: We had great numbers at weekly work outs, which was great as you could see the great improvement in our team’s size and speed at the end of the season. I have camped at about 5 different schools which included my top college choices. I thought the camps were a great tool in helping me decide where I want to play football. My summer has been busy but it’s also been a lot of fun.

BA: Practice starts on Monday for most schools in the state. Be a reporter and preview your team for me this season.

AB: Coming into this season we are going to be very strong on both sides of the ball and very deep in most positions as well. Our offense is switching from the traditional Power I to the Spread offense. Our quarterback, Hunter Hannell, is very experienced and will have the chance to throw the ball a lot more than in the past. Our wide receivers are almost all seniors and are very experienced. Our running back, Rashad Hall, is one of the fastest running backs in the state(4.3 40). Our offensive line is young, but we have incredible size and speed. Our offense should put up great numbers. Our defense is incredibly talented this year as our linebacker core is one of the best in the state. Our two outside linebackers are returning seniors in our 4-3 defensive except our middle linebacker, Tyler Rosser, who I will replace in the middle as I move from defensive end. Our defensive line is young, but very athletic and our secondary is very experienced. We are underrated coming into this season. We have the weapons this year to return to the Region finals and advance to states.

BA: Your coach Don Rice is one of my favorite coaches to interview because he is always straight forward and doesn't sugar coat things. Does he carry that quality over to the field? What type of coach is Coach Rice to play for and what do you like about the man?

AB: Coach Rice is a great coach. Being a former marine, he makes his practices like boot camp. It forces us to become brothers on the field, as we learn to respect each other and our coaches. I have a high level of respect for the whole coaching staff at Jefferson Forest and I believe that is due to Coach Rice.

BA: Full disclosure, I was a student manager at Jefferson Forest when I was in high school, there is a lot of tradition at Jefferson Forest, especially on the defensive side of the ball. How important do you think it is that the players know the tradition and how important is it to uphold it?

AB: Everyone who lives in Forest knows, if you’re a football player in the Jefferson Forest football program, you are a hard nose kid and you will never back down to anything. Saying that, I don’t think we really think about the tradition, we just live it. If our coaches believe you can start on our defense, they know you will keep the tradition alive. I personally believe due to our defensive mentality that we will always be a dominating force on defense as long as that mentality stays alive.

BA: Who is someone from your team and from around the area (maybe a guy that you have seen at camps or something) that you expect to have a big season and why do you think they will have a big season?

AB: I am excited to see how Mike Rocco (LCA Quarterback and Lousiville commitment) does this year. We keep in touch and he is a great kid from a great family over there at LCA. I am glad my defense doesn’t have to face him. Mike is a very talented quarterback who surprises people not only with his arm but his overall athleticism as he shows it off on the defensive side of the ball playing safety. I’m excited to see how well he does.

BA: Year in and year out the Seminole District is a very strong league, how important is it to win those non-district games to have a strong case for the playoffs? Especially, when there's a chance with such a strong league that everyone could have a slip in district play.

AB: Non-district games are very important and they are must wins for our football team this year. Not necessarily in a sense of playoffs, but they are very important in order to prepare us for the Seminole district this year. We are going for it all or nothing this year, and we are preparing to win every Seminole district game this year in order to prepare us for the playoffs.

BA: Final question and I look forward to communicating with you throughout the season, define a successful season for yourself, and then a successful season for the Jefferson Forest Cavaliers.

AB: I believe all-state linebacker is my personal goal. Then, as a team nothing but a state championship will define a successful season. We have the potential to be dominant this year.

We look forward to keeping up with Andrew all season long through the blog and his podcast, and we look forward to hear his college choice when he decides it.