by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com
Cosby wants to finish this year.
In their first season with Dominion District play the Titans jumped out of the gates with a 5-2 record.
But three straight losses all in the district to close out the schedule crushed any hopes of a playoff appearance.
“The wheels came off the bus a little bit,” Cosby coach Pete Mutascio said. “We had some growing pains at the end of the year and may have lost a little focus. But the kids that have comeback worked hard in the offseason. They realized the opportunity was there.”
Running backs Terry Williams and Andre Redd were both there last season as sophomores and will split time int he backfield in 2008. They are on an offense that is deep at the skill positions and will look to open things up offensively.
Senior guard Nick Erdman and a line that is younger than last season but bigger will try to create holes for the running backs.
“He was in the weight room constantly setting an example,” said Mutascio of Erdman.
The quarterback position is still up for grabs as senior Bradley Shaban and junior Fuller Hoepner are the likely candidates.
“Both of them are quality quarterbacks,” Mutascio said. “If they are not the quarterback they will be playing defense.”
Whoever is the signal caller will have great options at wide receiver in Bryce Dillon (Jr.), Joe Thomas (Sr.) and Garrett Hicks (Sr.).
Eight starters are gone from a defense that was impressive at times.
The linebackers are the Titans’ strength with three-year starter and leading tackler Mike Birnbaum returning for his senior year. Anthony Delano and Cody Blackwell join him in the unit.
Erdman will lock down one of the defensive end spots and Shaban and Bryce Dillon will fly around at safety. Players are still competing for the starting corner back positions.
The ending of last season may have been disappointing to the upstart Titans but they did learn a valuable lesson.
“We can’t take any team likely,” Williams said. “We just have to play every game like it’s our last game. We just have to go hard and practice hard during the week.”
2007 record: 3-5 Dominion District, 5-5 Overall
2008 schedule
2007
result
(all games at 7:30
p.m., unless noted)
Aug. 22 – Prince George, 7 p.m. (scrimmage)
Aug. 28 – at Patrick Henry, 7 (scrimmage)
Sept. 5 – at Hopewell W, 24-7
Sept.12 – at Midlothian W, 27-6
Sept. 19 – James River W, 17-12
Sept. 26 – at Monacan L, 17-14
Oct. 3 – at Manchester L, 24-19
Oct. 10 – George Wythe (Homecoming) W, 43-6
Oct. 17 – Hanover W, 21-6
Oct. 24 – at L.C. Bird L, 47-21
Oct. 31 – Clover Hill L, 34-20
Nov. 7 – Huguenot L, 33-7
Big games: The last three. Cosby dropped all three games last season to end on a cold note. If they want to make the playoffs they are going to need these games.
Key players: Terry Williams, RB, JR.; Andre Redd, RB, JR.; Fuller Hoepner, QB, Jr.; Bradley Shaban, QB/S, Sr.; Nick Erdman, OG/DE, Sr.; Bryce Dillon, WR, Jr.; Joe Thomas, WR, Sr.; Mike Birnbaum, LB, Sr.
Key losses: Tyren Johns, RB (Christopher Newport); Josh Wilburn, LB (Randolph-Macon); Scott Pollard, OT/DT; Chase Cox (Christopher Newport); Tyler Saupe (Christopher Newport)
Tom newcomers: Anthony Delano, LB, Jr.; Morgan Lusk, C, Jr.
The skinny: Cosby improved their overall record by three game over their inaugural 2-8 2006 season. If they start off as well as they did last year look for them to have learned from their mistakes.
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