Woodside ATH Tyler Thompson (Photo: Joe Barnes/recruit757)

Landstown has stumped Woodside for two-consecutive seasons; Tyler Thompson plans to take the Wolverines farther

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757

It’s been a bittersweet ending for the Wolverines over the course of the last two seasons and Landstown has closed the chapter on both occasions. In 2017, Woodside was awarded a chance to advance to the Class 6A Region Final. It would’ve been the second-consecutive year the Wolverines would’ve been awarded such opportunity. However, a trip to Landstown in mid-November put a rest to said talk. The Eagles walked away with a 14-10 victory and the rest was history.

Last year, the Wolverines found themselves in the same situation. This time a Class 6A Region Semi-final berth was on the line in which Woodside had been successful in advancing towards for two-consecutive seasons. The only difference this time in being Coach Tommy Reamon and the Eagles didn’t have home field advantage on their side this season. Be that as it may, this didn’t prove to be an immovable barrier for the Eagles who were able to walk away with a 20-7 victory.

Coming into this season, the Wolverines will find themselves in an uphill battle and they’ll have to do so without certain components they had last year.
Prospects such as Darius Jones, Carlos Palmer, Josh Hartley, Jordan Hardrick, D’onte Chesson, and

Shemar Holland won’t be able to be leaned upon for field leadership. Also, they’ll step down in classification from 6A to 5A which could put them in direct competition to see teams like Indian River, Maury, and Salem. Should they get further, teams like L.C. Bird, Henrico, Highland Springs, and Manchester from the Central Region will be introduced on the back end.

Stability at the quarterback position was key for the Wolverines at the start of last season. Questions arose about whether or not Tyler Thompson (2020 ATH 5-10 145) could come in and contribute to the same effect as Jordan Knight. Two winning streaks of at least three games and a playoff berth put to rest talks of whether or not Thompson was ready to make the transition. In his favor is his blazing speed which not only makes him the fastest quarterbacks in the region, but also the fastest quarterback in the entire state.

 

 

Thompson made the three hour trip from Newport News this Saturday to the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park for the first annual recruit757/Sparta Science Elite Showcase. He did so with a contingent of Woodside prospects that also included Breyden Byrd and Kahleef Jimmison among others. Also showing up for the Wolverines was head coach Danny Dodson. Thompson had the opportunity to throw with some of the best quarterbacks in the state, but elected to try his hand at wide receiver instead.

Thompson scorched the morning combine session, running a 4.41 forty which put him just off the camp best, which was posted by T.C. Williams speedster James Longerbeam of T.C. Williams High School.

“I’m here to get better and work on my craft, you know,” said Thompson. “I’m getting stronger. I’ve been in the weight room in the off-season.”

– Brandon Mitchell