by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
Hermitage, a playoff team once again in 2008, started six sophomores on the defensive side of the ball in its narrow Central Region semifinal loss to Varina.
Panthers coach Patrick Kane wasn’t so lucky on the offensive side of the ball.
“We’re pretty raw on offense, but that’s coming together slowly but surely,” Kane said. “We’re excited about those guys. But defense is probably going to have to hold the fort a little bit for us until the offense can catch up.”
That shouldn’t be too hard for a unit led by Curtis Grant, a 6-3, 220-pound junior linebacker and all-DigitalSports pick that blasted onto the scene last season and is a player Hermitage coaches say “doesn’t come around very often.”
Daryl Howell, a two-time all-Colonial District pick, is back on the defensive line with 285-pound Jamal Samuels.
Free safety Derrick Britt will lead a secondary full of athletes who will also see time as receivers and backs.
“We’re ahead of the game as we used to be last year,” Britt said of the defense.
Offensively, Brendon Riddick steps in at quarterback and is extremely athletic.
He is key as Kane has had talented quarterbacks, the latest Michael Johnson (VMI), Theron Norman (Hargrave, Va. Tech) and Ju-Ju Clayton (Tech).
He has a plethora of weapons, including running back Easton Gordon, who displayed phenomenal vision in practice. Hermitage’s line is not as big as in recent years, but are physical and quick.
“We had a lot of 7-on-7 tournaments this summer and worked hard,” Nick Yurachek, another target for Riddick said. “We need to focus up. Everybody needs to do their job.”
ALL ABOUT HERMITAGE
Key players: Curtis Grant, Jr., LB, 6-3, 220 pounds; Daryl Howell, Sr., DT; Easton Gordon, Sr., RB; Derrick Britt, Sr., WR/DB, 5-8, 170; Jamal Samuels, Sr., DT, 5-8, 285; Nick Yurachek, WR, Sr., 5-10, 160
Key losses: Duan Perez-Means, TE/DE (Virginia Tech); Theron Norman, QB/FS (Hargrave Military, Virginia Tech); Michael Johnson, QB (VMI)
Big games: Week 1-4. Hermitage has a tough start hosting Lee-Davis, visiting Division 6 contender Meadowbrook and coming back home for defending D-6 champ Varina and Colonial rival Deep Run.
Outlook: With the kind of defense Hermitage should play this season, the Panthers should hang another Colonial banner with consistent offensive play.
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Stephen Lewis’ take on the Panthers
Coach Patrick Kane interview
WR/DB Derrick Britt interview
DL Jamal Samuels interview
WR Nick Yurachek interview
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