by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
At a recent practice, there was plenty of noise on the practice football fields, but only helmets have left the locker rooms of Atlee High.
The Raiders started practice this week and it is already intense, uptempo and physical.
Just the way third-year coach Roscoe Johnson likes it.
“I’m excited. It’s my third year and I’ve got my JV group up that was really good,” Johnson said. “With the combination of the kids I’ve got coming back from last year, I’m excited.”
He should be, especially about a defense that looks ready to devour offenses.
The group is led by two-time all-Capital District middle linebacker Josh Doggett, who is 210 pounds now, up 30 from last season. He’s a name a lot may not know, but will find out this year.
He is one of nine returning starters on the defensive side of the ball. But the Raiders will have a new wrinkle.
Chad Blackstock. The former University of Richmond standout safety is the new defensive coordinator and has brought a swagger to the tackling side of the ball.
Add in Varina legend Howie Mitchell as defensive line coach, and you may have instant defense.
“We’ve got a lot more team unity. A lot of kids are getting more hype,” Doggett said. “The last two years the mentality of people wasn’t really up. This year the hype’s a lot better.”
The offense is looking to prove it is not all hype. It’s leadership galore there, too. QB Dylan Garthright, RB Trevor Elie, WRs Shaq Williams and Micah Spiers, were all big contributors last season.
The loss of Tyler White on the offensive line will certainly sting, but the Raiders have enough to try to keep pace with what seems to be a strong defensive unit, hoping to turn two wins in 2008 to at least a .500 season in 2009.
“Mindset,” Garthright said. “Last year I don’t think we were prepared for half of the games we played in. So this year we need to step it up. Come out strong and start the season off good, and hopefully we will do well.”
ALL ABOUT ATLEE
Key players: Josh Doggett, MLB, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Dylan Garthright, QB, Sr.; Micah Spiers, WR; Hunter Brooks, LB, Sr.; Trevor Elie, RB, Jr.; Shaq Williams, WR; Cameron White
Key losses: James Anderson, DT (Randolph-Macon); Tyler White, OT (Hampden-Sydney); Jared Epps, WR/CB
Fast fact: Coach Johnson played high-school football at Petersburg with current Wave coach Mike Scott and former Wave and current Colonial Heights offensive coordinator Remus James.
Big games: vs. Benedictine, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. Atlee’s swagger is building. An opening-season win can go a long way.
Outlook: Finding five wins on the schedule, as Johnson wants, is possible.
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Stephen Lewis’ take on the Raiders
Coach Roscoe Johnson interview
LB Josh Doggett interview
QB Dylan Garthright interview
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009 Schedule
2008 Schedule/Results
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