by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
Few teams can lose a bunch of thoroughbreds and jump back on the horse and get to the winner’s circle.
That’s Deep Run’s task.
Names like Exum, Love, Snyder, Skrobacz and Tuck are all playing college football and have turned in their Wildcat uniforms for good.
Third-year coach Greg Kendall has a mostly new bunch and is excited about their preseason progress after a tough scrimmage with Highland Springs.
“I think that we really stepped up to the challenge,” Kendall said. “I’m excited about the fact that we did get better.”
The defense played fairly well in the VHSL Benefit Game, led by linebacker Christian Norton, a junior.
He flew around along with DB Mike Wood (interception) and safety Taylor Bryan to make some nice plays.
Virginia OL commit Conner Davis should make things easier up front on both sides of the ball.
Dallas Simmons, who had a heck of a year in part-time duty in 2008, is now the man in the backfield as a junior.
He, along with other backs like De’Ondre’ Gerrald, Brandon Robinson and Cody Roberts, and pass catchers such as Wes Valentine and Holden Bass, need to have big years to take pressure off of a new QB, perhaps Kenny Williams.
“This group of kids that we’ve got here at Deep Run has come in in as good of shape as any team I’ve ever coached,” Kendall said, “just because of how hard they worked and how much they want to be a good football team.”
ALL ABOUT DEEP RUN
Key players: Conner Davis, Sr., OG/DL; Dallas Simmons, Jr., RB/KR; Christian Norton, Jr., LB/OL; Mike Wood, Sr., FS/WR; Wes Valentine, Sr., TE/DE
Key losses: Antone Exum, QB/FS/KR (Virginia Tech); Jordan Love, RB/CB/KR (Georgia); Jake Snyder, DE/OL (Virginia); Billy Skrobacz, LB (Virginia, FB, walk-on); Parker Tuck, WR/DB (Richmond)
Big game: at Hermitage, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. Panthers denied Wildcats region berth last season.
Outlook: This is a very young group with inexperience in key spots. But Deep Run has enough to challenge in the Colonial District.
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Stephen Lewis’ take on the Wildcats
Coach Greg Kendall interview
Recap/Highlights from Deep Run scrimmage
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009 Schedule
2008 Results
Team Page
Back to 2009 Football Camp Tour
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