by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
It’s only his second year as head coach, but Greg Kendall is already receiving gifts.
He had a boatload of returning stars, like Antone Exum and Jake Snyder, already bringing in Division I colleges who are knocking down Deep Run’s front door.
But then in waltzed Jordan Love, a top-notch prospect from Maryland at cornerback, who also happens to play a little running back.
Exum was tough enough in the backfield with the graduated E.J. Shelton and JV call-up Cody Roberts, who is back. Combine Love, Roberts and Exum with a talented offensive line and receivers, and on paper the offense is tough.
The defense is led by the aforementioned prospects as well, with some hard-nosed players sprinkled in.
That’s a pretty full toolbox that Kendall is equipped to deploy in his second season, with some help from well-known coaches from other spots.
“I think that we’re that much further down the road now than we were last year,” Kendall said. “Knowing the kids better has been a tremendous help. And the kids knowing what we have set up as our expectations this season definitely has jump started our year.
“Bringing in coach [Ron] Strine from Godwin and coach [Gary] Chilcoat from Varina really has added some depth to our coaching staff as far as experience goes. We’ve really been able to hit the ground running. I’m excited for the preseason to get over and preparing for some games.”
Not too many teams will be excited to prepare for the Wildcats. Their spread option offense headed up by QB Exum gives them ultimate ability to use their deadly weapons.
Exum does an excellent job of finding his tight ends, and things should be no different with Snyder and Conner Davis.
His wideouts are sure-handed with Parker Tuck, who’s bigger, taller, stronger and faster, and sharp route runner Holden Bass.
“He’s a real athlete and real fast,” Tuck said of his counterpart Bass. “He should be a good addition this year.”
The top addition on defense has to be Love. He’s headed to Georgia – the preseason No. 1 team in NCAA Division I football – to play corner for a reason.
With the 6-1, 185-pounder on one side and Exum playing centerfield at safety, passing will be tough for opponents. Not to mention that Snyder and Davis will be pressuring QBs from their defensive end spots.
Not enough playmakers for you yet, MLB Billy Skrobacz will be barking signals out to his hungry Wildcats ready to devour ballcarriers. The defense sets up nice.
“We’ve just got to expect to get better everyday,” Skrobacz said. “We can’t get caught up in anything. We’ve got a lot of athletes, but everybody needs work.”
Said Kendall: “We’re putting some challenges out there for playing time. I think that when you are competing for your spot, you really feel like you’ve earned what your role is. It gives you a little bit more hunger to play the game. … That’s pretty special.”
So can Deep Run’s season be.
2007 record: 5-2 Colonial District, 6-4
Overall
2008
season 2007 result
(all games at 7:30 p.m., unless noted. Click team for their
preview!)
Sept. 5 – Atlee W, 43-0
Sept. 12 – at Henrico L, 16-21
Sept. 19 – at Hanover L, 20-24
Sept 26 – John Marshall W, 35-26
Oct. 3 – at Thomas Jefferson, 4 p.m. W, 56-0
Oct. 10 – Douglas Freeman W, 21-13
Oct. 17 – Patrick Henry W, 28-21
Oct. 24 – at Mills Godwin (Homecoming) L, 28-30
Oct. 31 – Hermitage L, 7-35
Nov. 7 – at J.R. Tucker W, 68-7
Big
games: Hermitage. If Deep Run has Central Region title aspirations, Hermitage is sure to be a key matchup. The Wildcats didn’t fare well against them last season. There are plenty of other bumps on the avenue as well, but none bigger than the Panthers.
Key players: Antone Exum, QB/FS, Sr.; Jake Snyder, DE/TE, Sr. (Virginia commit); Billy Skrobacz, MLB, Sr.; Parker Tuck, WR, Sr.; Brad Larkin, C, Sr.
Top newcomers: Jordan Love, CB/RB, Sr.; Gary Chilcoat, assistant coach; Ron Strine, assistant coach
Key
losses: Derek Jackson, LB (Purdue); Brooks Martin, TE
The
skinny: Again, on paper Deep Run is as dangerous and talented as anyone. It’ll be how the Wildcats have matured from last season’s tight losses that’ll determine whether or not they fulfill their potential.
GALLERY!
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