by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com
James River coach Greg DeFrancesco is a realist.
He knows he doesn’t have the strongest, fastest or even most athletic football players in the Central Region.
What he does have though are kids who are going to give him everything they’ve got.
“We have tough, gritty, smart guys who will fight till the end,” DeFrancesco said. “When you get enough of those types of players you have a chance of being pretty good.”
Maybe no one exemplifies that more than outside linebacker Jacob Schmitz.
Schmitz missed all of last year after breaking his fibula and tibia in a scrimmage. That followed a season in which he separated his shoulder as a sophomore.
“It’s been tough getting through all these injuries,” Schmitz said. “I broke my leg completely in half. People thought I wouldn’t be able to play again but I proved them wrong.”
He returns to a defense that brings back eight starters from a unit that allowed only 15 points per game.
The defense was a major reason James River went 7-3 last year after a 3-7 record in 2006.
“The single biggest improvement we made was defensively,” DeFrancesco said. “We really made a commitment to improving our tackling, being a lot more sound and aggressive.”
Senior inside linebacker Austin Hersh is the unquestioned leader of the defense. The first-team all-Dominion District selection recorded 124 tackles (85 solo, 39 assists), 25 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season.
“He just has natural instincts as a linebacker,” DeFrancesco said. “He sees things very quickly. He doesn’t second guess and makes a lot of plays.”
Quinn Gray (Jr.) and Jarmel Boyd (Sr.) round out the linebackers and Stephon Porter (CB) and Cole Ransom (FS) will hold down the secondary. Seth Fultz and Hervin Jones are the returnees on the defensive line.
James River’s offense looks to be just as exciting as ever as the team will continue to be the only team in the region that runs the triple option.
Ransom (Sr.), Josh Wells (last year’s JV quarterback) and Sean Monahan (senior transfer from Cosby) will compete for the quarterback spot.
All three bring something different to the table. Ransom with his scrambling and speed, Wells with his knowledge of the offense and Monahan with his strong arm.
“I love it because I’m not even like a quarterback there,” said Ransom of the triple option. “I’m mostly a running back with a little bit of throwing.”
If not a quarterback, Ransom will split time at running back with junior Matt Brooks. A number of younger backs will also fight for time in the backfield.
Jacob Holland and Ryan Powis are the only returning players to the offensive line but the line should be quicker and more explosive. Hersh will also play some on the offensive side of the ball at tight end.
2007 record: 5-3 Dominion District, 7-3
Overall
2008 season 2007 result
(all games at 7:30 p.m., unless
noted. Click team for their preview!)
Aug 22 – at J.R. Tucker, 7 p.m. (scrimmage)
Aug. 28 – Mills Godwin, 6:30 (scrimmage)
Sept. 5 – at Douglas Freeman W, 21-14
Sept. 12 – Lee-Davis W, 31-13
Sept. 19 – at Cosby L, 17-12
Sept 26 – George Wythe W, 34-6
Oct. 3 – at Huguenot, 4:45 W, 23-21
Oct. 10 – L.C. Bird L, 20-13
Oct. 17 – at Clover Hill W, 14-3
Oct. 24 – Manchester (Homecoming) L, 42-28
Oct. 31 – at Monacan W, 20-0
Nov. 7 – Midlothian (Senior Night) W, 40-28
Big games: at Cosby, L.C. Bird, Manchester. The Rapids three loses last year came against these teams. If they want to compete for a district title and make the playoffs they will have to top them this season.
Key players: Jacob Holland, OL, Sr.; Ryan Powis, OL, Jr.; Cole Ransom, QB/RB, Sr.; Matt Brooks, RB, Jr.; Sean Monahan, QB, Sr.; Josh Marshall, WR, Sr.; Austin Hersh, ILB/TE, Sr.; Jacob Schmitz, OLB, Sr.; Jarmel Boyd, LB, Sr.; Quinn Gray, OLB, Jr.; Stephon Porter, WR/CB, Sr.; Seth Fultz, DL, Sr.
Top newcomers: Kevon White, RB, So. (transfer from Powhatan); Josh Well, QB, Jr.
Key losses: Ian Harvey, RB; John Tondrowski, OL; Grant Collins, QB/CB; Adam Teachy, OL/DL; Austin Owens, WR/CB
The skinny: The Dominion District is wide open. James River really showed improvements last season and there is no reason they can’t improve even more. Plus, the triple option levels any playing field.
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