by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
Coach Bill Lawson III and his Petersburg boys basketball team have taken over the school’s athletic spotlight with three straight state tournament berths.
So why not play some basketball on grass, Crimson Wave football coach Mike Scott thought to himself.
Scott joked that he almost fell asleep watching tape of Petersburg games last season. Not anymore.
The second-year coach is set to unleash his talented athletes to make plays after a 5-5 opening campaign in 2008.
Penalties, blown assignments and mental mistakes turned a 4-0 start into 4-4 rather quickly a year ago.
“We have to be disciplined, first of all,” Scott said. “Our discipline improved last year. It’s going to be kind of hard with a young team. So I know it’s going to take some time.”
Petersburg has plenty of it, starting its practice season two weeks before most teams because of an August 28 kickoff when the Crimson Wave host Halifax.
Scott is hoping Eric Magruder, one of the best athletes in the Central Region, is ready to take Petersburg to new heights.
The QB/DB is a speedster with a good arm, who turned the tough offense-defense double late last season with flying colors.
Look out for him.
“I think I may take it pretty well,” Magruder said of playing two demanding positions. “All I need to do is stay in good shape and my teammates help me a lot.”
In shape?
Scott doesn’t have big numbers for participation – which he doesn’t mind at all – so the Wave are concentrating on being in better condition to keep their key athletes on the field.
One of those is West Virginia-bound offensive tackle Quinton Spain, who will also anchor the defensive line from his end spot.
“I don’t have anything to worry about because I already know I’m going to the next level,” said Spain, an agile 6-6, 350-pounder. “I just need to stay focused and try to win a state championship for my high-school team.”
ALL ABOUT PETERSBURG
Key players: Quinton Spain, OT/DE, 6-6, 350, Sr.; Eric Magruder, QB/CB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Kevin Green, WR, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Keith Johnson, WR, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Damian McLaughlin, Utility, 6-0, 180, Jr.
Key losses: Demondre Woodson, RB; Jamil Taylor, OL/DL
Fast fact: This is the third straight year that Petersburg will start on Week 00, two weeks before everyone has played a game. Week 0 is the week before Week 1, which is September 11 this season.
Big game: at Thomas Dale, October 2. Petersburg finished 5-5, but only 2-5 in the Central District. They have to have a better mark in a tough district to become a Division 5 stalwart.
Outlook: Offensive line, it’s on you. Spain is a big-time returner, but everyone else is inexperienced. If the O-Line can give Magruder, Green, Johnson and a bunch of other talented athletes time to work, Petersburg can be dangerous in Division 5.
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009 Schedule
2008 Schedule/Results
Back to 2009 Football Camp Tour
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
* Stephen Lewis’ take on Wave
* Coach Mike Scott interview
* QB/DB Eric Magruder interview
* OL/DE Quinton Spain interview
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