The Bay Rivers district race is

wide open this year with no clear favorite. The district is so balanced that a

team with three losses could win the district championship. I wouldn't be surprised to see a 5-way tie for first. For my picks, I used

the team with a strong senior contingent although I also thought about using a

coin.

Jamestown has had two

winning seasons since Ryan Turnage took over as coach but they are still looking for

a playoff game. This might be that year if they find a quarterback. The defense

is stout and the running attack should be punishing.

Tabb also is breaking in a new QB after making the

Region playoffs last year. They will be in the hunt with running back Corey

Patrick on offense and All-Region linebacker Ian Haislip on defense.

York has the best player in the

district back to help them to their first playoff game since 2005. Ben Edwards

has already committed to Richmond and he leads an explosive offense that can put

points on the board quickly.

Poquoson won the Bay Rivers in 2009 with an 8-2

record but lost to Nottoway at home in the first round of the playoffs. The Bull

Islanders should have the horses to make the D3 playoffs for the third straight

year and a possible showdown with state champion James Monroe. The brothers Luke and Dylan Hill are playmakers.

Smithfield has a lot of weapons on offense and they are

probably the most athletic team in the Bay Rivers. Montrell Johnson led the district in rushing and Zach Emerson is one of the Region's strongest players.

Grafton isn't as big on the line as they have been the past few

years but they are quicker and return quarterback Joe Cibrin who played the

position as well as anyone down the stretch. Look for Ryan Johansen to make a

big contribution.

Lafayette had their first losing season of

the decade in 2008 and their downfall can be explained by the loss of QB Nate

Kepa who missed the season after being injured in the first game. The Rams did

beat district champion Poquoson and they lost two games to playoff teams. Three

of their losses was by a field goal. Kepa is back and the Rams should be back

as well.

Bruton was one of the

district's surprise teams and they were only one win away from making the playoffs.

Lorenzo Taliaferro is back and he is one of the districts best athletes.

New Kent

has had back-to-back 2-8 seasons but the atmosphere has been upbeat in camp this

summer.

Look for the Trojans and Paul Kearney to be more

competitive although it may not reflect in the win column.

Warhill will play their first non Bay Rivers team when they

meet Windsor in the season opener. It will be their best chance to break their

two-year winless streak.

Predicted order of finish (Click on link

for team preview)

1. Jamestown

2.

Tabb

3.

4. Poquoson

5.

Smithfield

6.

7. Lafayette

8. Bruton

9. New Kent

10

Warhill

QB Ben Edwards York Sr

RB Corey Patrick Tabb Sr

RB Montrell Johnson Smithfield Sr

RB Lorenzo Taliafero Bruton

Sr

WR

Dylan Hill Poquoson So

WR Jackson Neve Sr

TE William Haskins Poquoson Jr

OL Tyler Ward

Poquoson Jr

OL Travon Tynes Smithfield So

OL Julius Wormley Tabb

Sr

OL Andrew Marcotte Lafayette Sr

OL Nick Cawthon Bruton So

Defense

DL Michael Maloney Grafton Sr

DL Sam Preas Jamestown Sr

DL Andrew Cordasco Jamestown Sr

DL Zach Emerson Smithfield Jr

LB Evan

Moog Jamestown Sr

LB Ian Haislip Tabb Jr

LB Andrew Watt York

Sr

DB Paul Kearney New Kent SR

DB Taylor McConnell

Poquoson Jr

DB Ryan Johansen Grafton Sr

DB

Jaquon Goodman Smithfield Sr

P Stevie Allen New Kent

K

Johnnie Howell York