LCA DB Gerrien Christopher (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit804)

UMass offers Life Christian DB Gerrien Christopher

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

There’s been an influx of talent buying into what Coach Charles Scott is selling at Life Christian over the last two years. This has led to multiple prospects leaving their respective programs to start anew at Life Christian Academy. One of the more recent prospects to do so was Phoebus starting defensive back Thailand Baldwin (2021 DB 6-0 170). The All-State defensive back took his status, 83 tackles, and five interceptions (from last season) to Life Christian to be paired up next to NC State commit Joe Johnson, III and the rest of the Eagles adept secondary unit.

However, a year before Baldwin, Indian River starting defensive back Gerrien Christopher (2020 ATH 6-1 210) decided it was time to leave the Glenwood Ferebee-led Braves for Life Christian Academy. At the time, Christopher held nine collegiate offers. Since then he’s watched his recruitment further blossom including securing yet another offer this time from UMass.

“I’m just blessed to be able to stretch my recruitment. As far as the comparison with my first offer, Marshall was my first offer so it was a bit more exciting than the rest being it was my first offer,” explained Christopher.

The Life Christian product racked up 46 tackles last year for the Eagles in which two of them went for sacks. Thus far, Christopher has been able to secure offers from: Southern Mississippi, Temple, Campbell, Buffalo, Morgan State, Hampton, Charlotte, Liberty, and Marshall. Aside from the programs that have already offered, Christopher is also getting interest from Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Michigan State while being recruited on the defensive side of the ball. With the entire buzz surrounding Life Christian, its hard not to believe there’s something in the water over at 16801 Harrowgate Road.

“We’re walking in faith and God’s plan as well as the genuine love we have for one another,” stated Coach Charles Scott.  “We are totally honest and transparent with all of our kids and parents with everything which makes our job so much easier.”

Christopher has plans to gear up for a few road visits as well as camps throughout the spring and into the summer which include: Pittsburgh, Miami, Southern Mississippi, Virginia, and Marshall.

– Brandon Mitchell

L.C. Bird RB Ramon Brown (Twitter Photo)

Maryland adds second offer for L.C. Bird RB Ramon Brown

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

Speed kills.

Of course there’s a little more that goes into the age old adage pertaining to speed, however; no two words hold more weight than that of the aforementioned two especially when chasing down a running back.

Speaking of running backs, L.C. Bird starting running back Ramon Brown (2022 RB 6-0 180) picked up his first offer from Virginia Tech at the end of January breaking the seal on what is bound to be a prosperous recruitment. Less than three months later, Brown has now picked up his second collegiate offer which has been granted from Coach Michael Locksley and the University of Maryland.

“It feels great to receive another offer. But I still know that I have to stay humble, don’t let the two offers get into my head, and never think that I am better than anyone for it,” explained Brown.
The L.C. Bird prospect was one of only a very few freshmen to make a size impact for the Coach Troy Taylor and the Skyhawks last season. In a backup role to Tre Mason, Brown was able to rush for 631 yards on 72 carries and five touchdowns. His speed created balance in the backfield last year for Coach Taylor, but his role is expected to increase this season with the unexpected transfer of Mason to Life Christian Academy.
Preparing for more responsibility has opened up a sense of awareness that has allowed Brown to seek out opportunities to elevate his stock. This sense of awareness led him to John Champe High School in Washington D.C. this past weekend in which he attended the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp. This was an event in which multiple Hampton Roads and Central Region prospects were able to make their mark including: Tony Grimes (Princess Anne), LaMareon James (Indian River), Thailand Baldwin (Life Christian), and Kevin Gilliam (Highland Springs).

“The camp was great. I had a lot of fun out there laughing, joking, and most of all competing,” Brown stated.

Expect the next couple of weeks to be quiet for the L.C. Bird product as his next major appearance with be at the Nike Opening. The Opening has two regions within close proximity this year those being Charlotte (Rocky River High School) on April 28 and Washington D.C. (St. James Facility) on May 5.

– Brandon Mitchell

Highland Springs DB Malcolm Greene (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit804)

Highland Springs DB Malcolm Greene taps into the service academies, secures offer from Air Force

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

Highland Springs never lacks in the defensive back department. Tremayne Talbert, Devyn Coles and Shaquez Cosby will not mark the end of the Springers’ highly touted secondary unit. Not if rising senior Malcolm Greene has anything to say about it. When you’re in the building before 6:00 a.m. that lets a lot people sleeping know that you’re bound to get out what you put in each and every one of your workouts.

That is how you become a two-time state champion and that is exactly what Malcolm Greene is.
There’s nothing unorthodox about anything Malcolm Greene does at this point. However, his defensive prowess, attention to detail, and high academic bar have put him at four-star status. It was bad enough when Division I schools were showing interest and producing collegiate offers. But we’ve now gotten to the point where the service academies are looking over at Highland Springs and trying to figure out what all the commotion is.

Air Force in particular that is.

The Falcons are currently in need of a defensive back from the class of 2020. You’d have to go back to 2016 to find out when the last Central Region native chose Air Force over a respective contingent of programs. Trinity Episcopal defense back Zane Lewis committed to Cornell and then flipped his commitment to Air Force in January of 2016. He’s been with the Falcons ever since and it looks as though Air Force is looking to pry Malcolm Greene (2020 DB 5-10 182) from his list of possible suitors.

The Falcons finished the football season last year with a record of 5-7 which is their second-consecutive losing season under head coach Troy Calhoun. They’ll have a lot of ground to pick since 27 other college programs have struck first including Michigan, North Carolina, Clemson, Penn State, Florida, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Louisiana State, and Virginia Tech.

– Brandon Mitchell

Varina Signing Celebration (Photo courtesy of Varina Athletics)

Change in Philosophy has helped Varina adjust the narrative of academic excellence

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

Wednesday morning was just another ordinary morning for the student-athletes of Varina High School. There wasn’t much advertising about Varina hosting a signing day in mid-April, however; there was one definitely scheduled on the books.

Varina has grown accustomed to rising to a certain level of academic success which has also translated into success on the football field. After all, players can’t contribute on the football field unless the same energy put towards athletic dominance is also duplicated in the classroom.

This sentiment has been well received by the student-athletes that make up Varina’s football program which watched nine prospects to sign their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning. Jermaine Boone (Charleston), Jaiden Rodwell (Chowan), Lavar Mallory (Apprentice School), Justin Stafford (Bridgewater), Tyrese Williams (VUL), Jaquan Belchinger (Louisburg), Michael Norman (Norfolk State), Trevon Epps (Virginia State), and Floyd Jones (Virginia State) will continue their academic and athletic journey once they leave Varina in June. As impressive as the Blue Devils have been, a change in philosophy has helped elevate their rise to historic proportions.

“Varina football is proud of our accomplishments pertaining to recruiting. Since 1995 we’ve had over 50 Division I athletes sign as well as over 200 sign in other levels. Our proudest accomplishment is a change in philosophy,” explained Coach Stuart Brown.

Seven years ago, Varina grew tired of watching student-athletes graduate and then walk around with degrees in which they weren’t able to translate into attainment.

“We were tired of watching college football programs placing our athletes in programs for grades or eligibility purposes. We developed a philosophy that college programs will no longer tell us what to study. Instead, we are going to work academically to choose the path of our choice,” stated Coach Brown.

Varina has began telling collegiate programs what their students are going to study in conjunction with Michael Robinson’s Excel 2 Excellence program.

“Recently, Varina football has produced engineers, our first Ivy League athlete to law school, and one to study medicine at UVA. Our goal is to make more than just a student-athlete, we want to produce wealthy and productive citizens with strong character who prospers while caring for all,” said Coach Brown.

Along with the aforementioned prospects, the Blue Devils also celebrated Alton Costin who received a full academic scholarship to the College of William and Mary.

– Brandon Mitchell

Warhill Football (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)

Warhill welcomes new head coach Jerome Rhodes

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757

When former Warhill head coach Thad Wheeler arrived on campus in August of 2014, the goal was to build a culture of excellence into the Lions program. Wheeler spent the first three seasons speaking and placing a new found life within the Warhill program. It was a life that didn’t translate into winning seasons until 2017. In his first three seasons, Wheeler led the Lions to a 10-21 record with two first-round playoff exits. In his last two seasons, Wheeler accumulated a record of 15-8 and added two more playoff appearances including the Lion’s first playoff win since the 2011 season.

However, just a few months ago, Wheeler took over the head coaching position for Robert Castro at Riverheads. Castro left the Gladiators football program with a record of 222-59 over 23 years of coaching Riverheads. His mark was well imprinted into the program winning his third-consecutive state championship in December of 2018.

Wheeler stepping down left a vacated position open at Warhill which was finally filled last week. The Lions are set to announce on Thursday evening the hiring of former Woodside defensive coordinator Jerome Rhodes. The former Woodside assistant leaves the Wolverines’ program after 12 years working side-by-side with head coach Danny Dodson. Despite stepping out on a leap of faith, Rhodes defined the move as bitter sweet while saying his goodbyes to his former student-athletes.

“Coach Price left us and went to Warhill. He’s been up there for the last four or five years. He called me and let me know the job was open. Warhill is a great fit for me as we’ve worked with Warhill before. They run similar sets to the ones we run at Woodside so I was anxious to get on board. Thank God they decided to go with me,” explained Coach Rhodes.

Rhodes has been attached to the Woodside football almost as long as Danny Dodson has been with the Wolverines. It’s always been a goal of his to control his own football team and he has finally been afforded an opportunity to do so.

“It was always a desire of mine to be a head football coach. I was just looking for a system that was a good fit and had the right people and I found that in Warhill. It was very difficult to leave Woodside because it was a great system and we had great leadership,” Coach Rhodes stated.

Coming into Warhill, Rhodes isn’t expected to make any coaching changes to the staff that is already in place. As a matter of fact, he’ll be reunited with two coaches that played for him not too long ago in Aaron Evans and Terrell Richmond. This should make the transition than much smoother for the former Woodside assistant.

The main initiative for Coach Rhodes moving forward will be to get as many student-athletes out on the football field as he can. With all that Coach Wheeler has put into place over the last five years, Rhodes has no intentions of changing a culture of football that doesn’t need to be tweaked. Rhodes also plans to contribute to the areas he feels as though the Lions are currently lacking.

“For those that aren’t on the football field, I want to get those kids out on the football field and help them get excited about being a Lion. I know some of their numbers were down because it was kind of the same at Woodside. But the number one thing is to get kids out and committed to the program,” Coach Rhodes said.

While at Woodside, Rhodes philosophy and respected perspective towards the defensive side of the ball allowed Coach Dodson to put a lot on trust in him. So much that Coach Dodson took his hands off the defensive side of the ball and lent more of his expertise to the offensive side of the ball. Despite Rhodes spending much of his time with the defense, Coach Dodson still consulted him towards offensive matters. This is a trend he plans to continue while at Warhill.

“I expect that to continue at Warhill because Todd Price is a big friend of mine when it comes to the X’s and O’s on the offensive side. I just want to make sure that whatever we decide to do that we’re going to be known for those things. It’s going to be tough because I understand that we lost some kids from last season and that’s okay. Once we get a good look at what we’re capable of, I just want to make sure we’re doing things the right way,” explained Coach Rhodes.

Coach Rhodes started his journey joining the Army right out of college. Rhodes left the military after three years of service and picked up a job at Woodside. Since then he’s been with the Wolverines for a total of 15 years coaching both football and track. One could say the move to Warhill was inspired by his wonderful wife of 19 years (this May) who has taught at both Denbigh and Heritage since their departure from Ft. Eustis.

“My family is excited, but my wife is extremely excited. She’s the one that’s kind of been pushing me to move on as a head coach. She’s been trying to get me to do this for the longest and I should’ve listened to her, but I was so content with Woodside and I loved working with the people there. She was the one that pushed me and was the driving force for me to do this here,” explained Coach Rhodes.

As of right now, the Lions don’t have many offseason commitments pertaining to their schedule. There isn’t much field work going on collectively as their spring weight training program is in full effect on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday’s. Warhill has June 8^th locked in its calendar and is prepared to compete in the York Battlefield 7-v-7 Shootout. There’s a tentative 7-v-7 scheduled in May, however; all of the details haven’t been worked out yet.

– Brandon Mitchell

Prospect Watch: Highland Springs WR Jabari Parker is now on the clock

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

It feels like just yesterday that we were concluding the regular season and stepping into postseason play. After five weeks of postseason play crowned two state champions out of the Central Region, it was time to take a pause for the cause before getting back into the grind and hustle in preparing for the regular season yet again. Not only is the offseason a time for many to lick their wounds and rebuild, it’s also a time that to take a look at what’s left over from a season prior. When some prospects move on due to graduation and playing football at the next level; welcoming the next class is absolutely necessary.

Reloading is a combination of multiple factors moving forward. Some programs prepare for the arrival of transfers while others look internally to fill holes. This includes seeing what’s leftover and also pulling impact players from junior varsity to begin their journey on a higher level of competition and responsibility.

Highland Springs has strategically done this well over the last handful of years, especially. One of the Springers’ major impact players expected to make the move from junior varsity next season will be none other than sophomore wide receiver Jabari Parker (2021 WR/DB 6-2 182). Ali Jennings, Jai’Veon Smalls, Devyn Coles, and A.J. Wells all had an excellent season last year for the Springers. However, all four will be moving on and it’s time to look forward to a new wave in which Parker’s could be a name we get used to.

Parker was front and center for the Clash of the Titans Showcase on Sunday afternoon in which 150 of the best up and coming prospects in the state put up a strong front. There were many wide receivers in attendance at Highland Springs, but Parker made sure give his home school a taste of what it can expect in late August.

“I felt good,” Parker told recruit804. “I’m just trying to get better and burst in and out of my routes.”

Parker spent last season on junior varsity where he split time at wide receiver and parts of the secondary. The will to elevate his game brought him out to Highland Springs on Sunday morning where the focus of his efforts was in establishing himself as a better route runner. Clash of the Titans prepared for upwards of 16 prospects with wide receiver expectations from a primary perspective while 11 additional prospects were hoping to get looked at from a secondary perspective.

Parker was good enough to outshine every wide receiver in attendance picking up MVP honors over regional winner’s Antuon Luster (Bethel) and Mikel Merritte (John Marshall).

Thus far, Parker has been on the move as of late taking visits out to North Carolina and North Carolina State University who have both expressed a liking towards his height and route running. Both programs head his dream list of programs to attend as well as Clemson University. The Tigers had a pair of receivers last year in Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross combine for almost 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. Both are tall and lengthy wide receivers in which Parker resembles in build and discipline. If Dabo Swinney gets a look at the Highland Springs product he may like what he sees. Until then, Parker vows to could to get ready for the regular season.

“I’m looking forward to bigger and better things. Our schedule for this year has some big opponents and I’m excited to compete against those teams and play my best,” Parker stated.

– Brandon Mitchell

Highland Springs seniors Antwane Wells (#6) and Shy’re McKeiver (Photo: Joe Barnes/recruit757)

Highland Springs WR A.J. Wells commits to Fork Union Military Academy

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

Every year Highland Springs has a load of prospects that are on the high end of the talent spectrum. They also have a load of prospects that get inadvertently swept under the rug not because they aren’t on the same level, but simple because it just isn’t their time. Life is about progression, but more importantly it’s about understanding that time plays more of a role than any other contributing factor that comprises success. Timing is the key fact for a lot of prospects that grow under Loren Johnson and his coaching staff at Highland Springs. It most definitely holds true for senior wide receiver A.J. Wells.

During the 2017 football season Wells (2020 WR 6-2 200) accumulated just 157 yards on 14 receptions and just two touchdowns.

Of course those are low numbers for a wide receiver as talented as A.J. Wells, but you have take into accountability the impact of Billy Kemp, Chris Thaxton, and Jai’Veon Smalls from the 2017 champion season. Once Kemp (UVA) and Thaxton (UVA-Wise) moved on respectively, we were able to watch the elevation of A.J. Wells even after the transfer of Ali Jennings (West Virginia) from Hermitage. Couple this Jai’Veon Smalls and you had the makings of one of the best pass catching units on the Central Region not including the pass catching ability of Rayquan Smith and Shy’Re McKeiver.

Wells has picked up offers from Campbell, Jacksonville State, and Virginia State University; but he’s decided that he could better benefit from everything that Fork Union Military Academy has to offer. This is why he has decided to commit to Fork Union for at least the foreseeable future.

“I chose Fork Union because I made choices in the past that lowered my grade point average and because of that, I felt as though I was under recruited. I feel this is another opportunity to get a higher grade point average and show my talent. Also, Fork Union is just a great place to be,” explained Wells.

The plan is for Wells to attend Fork Union for four months and then re-evaluate the direction of his recruitment. After the four months are up, he’ll take a look at the programs ready to invest in him and make a decision based off what’s left. Despite facing academic adversity over the past few years, Highland Springs has prepared Wells for anything that stands in his way throughout the next phase of his journey.

“I’ve learned to keep faith and never give up on anything even when people count you out. I’ve also learned with the success I have accomplished to remain humble and to just wait your turn,” Wells stated.

Last season, Wells finished the year as one of D’Vonte Waller’s top wide receivers accumulating 755 yards on 31 receptions for 10 touchdowns. While at Fork Union, Wells plans to study sports management and vows not to let his past dictate the direction of his future.

“I will make the best out of this opportunity, but I’ve also learned a lot from my past and it helped me to become the young man that I am today,” Wells said.

– Brandon Mitchell

Highland Springs DB Malcolm Greene (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)

Highland Springs DB Malcolm Greene secures yet another offer this time from Georgia Tech

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

If someone is bold enough to book a flight and rent space on your personal island, as a defensive back it’s only right you don’t let them leave without putting hands on them.

Sound familiar?

It should sound familiar because this should be the mantra of every defensive player and offensive lineman to ever play the beautiful game of football. For Highland Springs starting defensive back Malcolm Greene, that perspective has now become an embedded way of life. It’s a way a life that has transferred to each and every Springers product that has allowed them to earn Class 5A state championships in each of the last four seasons. It’s also the call of a young man that has earned enough scholarship offers to fill up his gas tank and drive from Richmond to Washington D.C. and back again.

Nowadays, Greene (2020 DB 5-11 182) isn’t too talkative when scholarship offers have come in. These types of situations used to call for celebrations decorated by Twitter posts and statements that verbally justify his position among other defensive backs in the state.

Not anymore.

Greene caught the attention of Geoff Collins and his coaching staff at Georgia Tech and the Yellow Jackets provided him with yet another offer on Monday morning shortly before lunch. Malcolm Greene’s response to the excitement on the day, “It feels great.”

Greene isn’t the type of person to build up excitement until the task is complete. Truth be told, the Highland Springs product still has one more season to complete in a Springers uniform. His first offer came a little more than a year ago and it was from Justin Fuente and the Virginia Tech Hokies. Since then, his success has become more of an expectation so when these scholarship offers come through there’s a feeling of business as usual seeping through the atmosphere.

Aside from Virginia and Georgia Tech, Greene has also picked up offers from: Norfolk State, Rutgers, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Toledo, James Madison, Purdue, Duke, Morgan State, Liberty, Vanderbilt, Clemson, West Virginia, Louisville, Penn State, Florida, NC State, Michigan State, East Carolina, Texas Christian, Pittsburgh, Temple, and Louisiana State.
The four-star product contributed to the Springers defense last season by notching 49 tackles and three interceptions in route to picking up All-State, All-Region, All-Metro, and All-804 honors.

Greene plans to take a trip down to LSU sometime soon and will be narrowing his list of almost 30 scholarship offers down during the summer before the start of the regular season.

– Brandon Mitchell

Marvin Reed at Southern U (Twitter Photo)

Life Christian DB Marvin Reed bags offer from Jackson State

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

“Life is Good.”

It’s not just a phrase that trails a hash tag.

It’s a phrase that embodies a culture of football that was spawned into existence just a few years ago.

It’s also a phrase that represents the fruits of labor manifested through time spent perfecting a craft minus Twitter clout and telescopic star gazing.

“Life is Good.”

And if you ask second-year Life Christian Academy head coach Charles Scott, life is more than good. The Eagles currently hold at least 14 prospects that have collegiate offers and they just welcomed former L.C. Bird running back Tre Mason into their talented stable of prospects at the end of March. Now that starting defensive back Joe Johnson, III has announced his commitment to North Carolina State University, it’s time to shift focus towards what else LCA has to offer.

Starting defensive back Marvin Reed (2020 DB 6-2 185) came over to Life Christian from Henrico prior to the start of the 2018 football season and developed a rapport with the Eagles right away. Reed also doubles down as a wide receiver, however; most of his recruiting success comes from how he contributes in the secondary for LCA. Reed took a visit out to Southern University last Saturday and made a great impression on Sherman Wilson and Josh Tate.

This led to Reed picking up his first offer before the end of the weekend from Southern. His second came on Tuesday morning from Charles Mitchell and Jackson State University.

“It felt good,” Reed told recruit804. “I Just have to be patient and everything will fall into place.”
Reed helped lead Life Christian to a 3-6 record last year with wins coming over Hampton Roads (VA), National Christian (MD), and Christchurch (VA). Through nine games last season, Reed was the Eagles fifth leading tackler picking up 33. He also led Life Christian in interceptions last year picking up five.

– Brandon Mitchell

Phoebus LB Corey Wilson (Photo: Joe Barnes/recruit757)

Phoebus LB Corey Wilson secures offer from the Naval Academy

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757

Good old Junior Day.

This is a day within the spring that allows rising seniors to make their way out to a collegiate program of their choice and get a good look at that school. It also gives student-athletes the opportunity to meet certain coaches, learn what makes the program what it is, and to also get a tour of the campus and its surrounding facilities.

Over the weekend, the United States Naval Academy held its Junior Day which allowed many prospects to get a sneak peek into the program led by head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Among the hundreds of prospects in attendance were Phoebus prospects Jaylen White (2020 RB 5-10 182), Chris Daniels (2020 QB 6-0 175) and Corey Wilson (2020 LB 6-2 190).

“The visit went great. They treated us like family and showed us all they had to offer. As an Academy, I was very impressed. It’s definitely a great school to attend for football and also insure a bright future career wise,” explained Wilson.

Phantoms starting running back Jaylen White was the beneficiary of an offer from the Midshipmen back on March 20. Catching up were Daniels and Wilson who both capped off their visit in Annapolis with an offer. For Daniels it was his first offer while for Wilson it marked his third with his first two coming from UTSA and Fordham.

“First thing I was thinking was to just thank GOD for blessing me with the amazing opportunity to play at the next level and to secure a future. Also, I felt a relief of stress knowing all my hard work is starting to pay off,” Wilson stated.

Wilson was one of the Phantoms’ most fearsome defenders last season accumulating 116 tackles (12 for loss), four sacks, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups. The three-star product picked up All-District, All-Region, All-State, All-757, and Daily Press recognition this past season all while leading his team to within five points of winning its eighth state championship.

– Brandon Mitchell

Alpha Wolf: Life Christian DB Joe Johnson, III commits to NC State

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit804

Highly regarded Life Christian starting defensive back Joe Johnson, III announced his commitment over the weekend and it’s one that will allow an ACC program to pick up one of the most dominant ball hawks in the Central Region.

Over the last few weeks Johnson has enjoyed visits out to Virginia, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, West Virginia, Penn State, and North Carolina State University. The LCA product took trips out to NC State at both the beginning of March and just this past weekend. As the Wolfpack ramped up its interest in the starting defensive back, Johnson began to reciprocate the positive energy that was being pushed into his direction. However, it was a visit to NC State during the last weekend of February that presented Johnson with an offer from the Wolfpack.

Over the weekend, Johnson was able to put a knife into his recruitment by announcing his commitment to NC State.

“I enjoy the environment, the way the coaches and I vibe, and my parents loved it. This feels great and it’s like a whole weight is off my shoulders,” explained Johnson.

Johnson decided to choose NC State over James Madison, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Penn State, Duke, Tennessee, Florida State, Rutgers, Florida, Fordham, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Liberty, Marshall, William and Mary, Howard, St. Francis, and Virginia University of Lynchburg.

The NC State commit now becomes the fifth prospect to announce his commitment from the 2020 recruiting class for the Wolfpack joining Porter Rooks (Meyers Park), Ben Finley (Paradise Valley), Jaylen Smith (Hertford County) and Aydan White (Christ School).

Prospects from Life Christian to also be on the lookout for include: Desaun Williams, Marvin Reed, Naquari Rogers, Miles Posey, Michael James, and Antonio Webb, Jr. among others. Combined with Joe Johnson, these six prospects hold upwards of 40 collegiate offers. At least 14 prospects currently hold an offer within Life Christian Academy.

– Brandon Mitchell

Menchville LB Seth Naotala (Photo: Nathaniel Jones/recruit757)

Howard, Delaware State offers Menchville LB Seth Naotala

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757

A few weekends ago, Menchville starting linebacker duo Seth (2020 LB 6-1 215) and Koa Naotala (2022 LB 5-10 190)  were invited to the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park to compete in the recruit757/Sparta Science Elite Showcase.

Also invited for the Monarchs was starting running back Javoni Hales. Despite receiving the invitation, Seth opted to stay home so he could continue to recover from an ailing ankle injury. Doing so afforded him the opportunity to further his relationship with a couple of collegiate programs that have been eyeing his progress over the last few seasons.

Delaware State and Howard University don’t have many connections to Menchville. However, within the Peninsula District, both programs have made it aware just how far their reach extends which has led to offers right before spring football has taken off.

“It feels great picking up my first two offers,” explained Seth. “It was a huge relief having all the work I put in pay off. It’s just like Coach Savage said, I have to be patient and trust the process.”

The middle Naotala has been suiting up for Menchville since his freshman season. Last year was his most productive season in a Menchville uniform accumulating 157 tackles, eight sacks, and five forced fumbles. Seth picked up First Team All-Peninsula District honors alongside Corey Wilson (Phoebus), Dominic Edwards (Phoebus), and Deshawn Fauntleroy (Warwick). He was also a Second Team All-Region 5A selection next to Jonathan Melvin (Kecoughtan), Charles Dixon (Indian River), and Life Nason (Maury).

This upcoming season will be the second season Seth will team up with his younger brother Koa to help lead the linebacker unit for the Monarchs. Both combined to put up 253 tackles (41 for loss), 12 sacks and eight forced fumbles. They’ll be managed by first-year Monarchs head coach Rodney Taylor who signed on with Menchville in mid-March.

– Brandon Mitchell

Menchville (Photo: Nathaniel Jones/recruit757)

Menchville receives new head coach with open arms as Rodney Taylor plans to usher in a new era

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757

Over the last four seasons, Ray Savage has given it a go as head coach of the Menchville Monarchs football team. Savage relieved Glenn Tidwell of his duties at the end of the 2014 football season and took over with a clean slate to open the 2015 football season. One his most memorable wins came at the end of the 2016 football season where the Monarchs were able to knock off a deteriorating Kecoughtan team by a score of 31-0. At the end of the contest, Savage noted that the way the Monarchs played to conclude the game gave him hope for the 2017 season.

It was a win that created a ripple effect within a Menchville program that had held a combined record of just 2-18 throughout both 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately, the Monarchs didn’t fare any better in 2017 and 2018 failing short of expectations on the football field finishing with a combined record of 3-17. This, in part, sparked the resignation of Coach Savage who coached his last football game for Menchville on November 3 against Chris Daniels and the Phoebus Phantoms.

With Savage stepping down, it left a vacant coaching position at the top of the depth chart for the Monarchs which was filled by former Heritage assistant Rodney Taylor. Despite finishing near the bottom of the Peninsula District for multiple seasons, it hasn’t changed the disposition of current Menchville prospects. Coach Taylor plans to keep those spirits elevated as the reception for his arrival has been nothing short of comforting.

“The reception was positive,” explained Coach Taylor. When I first got here I was greeted by some of the players and I got to explain my vision. It’s been wonderful. Everywhere I go and every time I’m in the building I always get warm greetings. I’m just putting all the pieces together to make sure that we’re as organized as possible.”

The climb from the bottom of the Peninsula District will be an extremely arduous task. The Monarchs have finished dead last in the Peninsula District in four of the last 10 seasons. As a matter a fact, you’d have to go all the way back to 1995 to find the last time Menchville knocked off a team that finished the season with a record at .500 or better.

In order to change the narrative at Menchville, Coach Taylor will have to scout the landscape to find out what the athlete population presents.

“I want to put as many athletes on the field that want to play football. We will never cut anyone unless something dangerous is done. If you have the heart and desire then we can teach you how to play this game. Right now the first thing we want to do is get our names out there so we can let the boys know who we are,” Coach Taylor stated.

Taylor has an extensive coaching history which began up at George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia. His coaching stops along the way also consist of Bowie High School (Maryland) and Heritage High School. Coach Taylor received his undergraduate degree from Bowie State University and secured his master of education from Norfolk State University.

– Brandon Mitchell