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

It was a banner year for Hanover football in 2007.

First Central Region (Division 5) championship in school history. A 9-4 season, the most wins in school history. A boatload of awards and trophies had Hanover etched on them.

But you wouldn't be able to tell the Hawks are the defending champs by the way practice is going.

The Hawks coaching staff, led by head man Josh Just, aren't giving any favors to the 2008 Hawks, because no one else will.

"It's 100 miles per hour every minute," said top-notch defensive lineman Blake Jones, a junior who on this day was challenged and challenged by Hanover's staff, especially Just. That's all Jones had time to say at practice.

It is this type of effort by both players and coaches that should help Hanover overcome any honeymoon blues from 2007.

"I think just stay focused," leader and tough MLB Kenny Fryman said, an all-DigitalSports pick in 2007. "There's been a lot of hype about us. We just need to keep level-headed. The focus is all on PH right now."

PH is Patrick Henry, another Hanover power.

The Hawks have joined them as the best teams in the county, with the likes of Fryman, Jones, senior safety Steven Fogleman and four-year QB starter in Josh Wells.

Both sides of Hanover's ball have lost five starters to graduation, but return key returnees like the aforementioned foursome.

Fryman, Jones and Fogleman lead the strength of Hanover's team, the defense. Believe it or not, Hanover may have more depth this season.

Just is expecting more players to get significant time, keeping tacklers fresh. If camp is any indication, the Hawks will be extremely intense.

"If we're nothing we are going to be physical," Just said.

Offensively, having a four-year starter under center in high school means a bunch. Wells played has improved every season, and Just is looking for his biggest leap this year.

He has talented options, like Jayquan Kates, a quick back. John Bell, Luke Herndon and Kyle Williams will lead a line trying to open holes and keep Wells clean.

Look for Karlton Davis to have a breakout season at tight end, while Danny Trsic and Jeremy Yorke will keep teams honest on the outside.


2007 record: 4-2 Capital District, 9-4 Overall

2008 season                                       2007 result
(all games at 7:30 p.m., unless noted. Click team for their preview!)                    
Sept. 5 – at Patrick Henry                      W, 29-28
Sept. 12 – at J.R. Tucker                       W, 53-0
Sept. 19 – Deep Run                             W, 24-20
Sept 26 – at Highland Springs                 L, 7-13
Oct. 3 – Armstrong                               W, 18-0
Oct. 10 – Varina                                    L, 0-16
Oct. 17 – at Cosby                                L, 16-21
Oct. 24 – Atlee                                     W, 35-14
Oct. 31 – at Lee-Davis                             W, 24-14
Nov. 7 –  Henrico                                  W, 40-6

Big games: Highland Springs. Hanover expected to be the eventual district champs last season and almost pulled it off. A victory this year will do a bunch for Hanover's program.

Key players: Kenny Fryman, MLB, Sr.; Steven Fogleman, S, Sr.; Josh Wells, QB, Sr.; Jayquan Kates, RB; Blake Jones, DT, Jr.; Karlton Davis, TE, Sr.; John Bell, OL, Sr.; Luke Herndon, OL, Sr.; Aaron Gary, LB, Sr.

Key losses: Kirk Rohle, RB; Ben Rogers, OL

Top newcomers: Shreve Rohle, DB; Dean Cheatem, RB

The skinny: Last year is last year. You probably won't get Just to even talk about it. Hanover is very focused on being even better this season, and it has the tools to do it.