It should be another fun year in the Bay Rivers. Last year, Lafayette outfought everyone to finish 9-1 and win their fourth district title

since Coach Paul Wheeler took over in 2001. Grafton actually finished second,

thanks to their season ending win over Smithfield. Tabb had their first winning

season in over a decade, and with a few breaks could have made the playoffs. A

lot of talent returns this year, and here's how I feel the district will

look in mid November. Click on each team below for a detailed analysis and

preview for the upcoming football season, including photos and more!

Tabb has made steady improvement, since Coach Matt Lawson arrive four years ago improving by at least two wins every year. I think Meltoya Jones is one of the best runing backs in the district and they have the leading returning rusher Corey Legister. On defense, Dominic Jeter and Ottis West are two of the best players at their positions. I see Tabb winning their last five games, so three wins in their first five should win them the district.

2. Smithfield Packers

The offense begins and ends with Dyrell Roberts,

who was the most highly recruited Bay Rivers player since Bruton's Bryan

Randall. The Packers offensive line is much stronger than last year and that should keep the offense on the field. My only worries are on defense where a host of new players must step up if Smithfield is to duplicate the stingy defense they have had the past two years. Smithfield is not as talented as last years team, but should end up as one of the top three teams in the Bay Rivers.

3. Grafton Clippers

Grafton was playing the best football in the Bay Rivers

district by season's end. I rate their offensive line the best in the district,

and I like their physical play on defense. Quarterback Sean Downing will

lead the offense, but don't expect another 40 points per game. The defense

should be one of the top units in the district. The biggest question mark is

will they be able to control the clock and move the football. I think they will,

but I see them finishing third overall.

The Rams must find replacements for two All-State

players on defense, and their two best running backs on offense. Garrott Piggott

takes over for Brandon Moyler as the big-play threat on offense. Kurt

Linkenaughter had the best TD/Int ratio in the league. The defense should

be fine, but not up to the quality of last year's outstanding unit. Coach Paul Wheeler

always has the Rams prepared, so a huge dropoff is not expected.

5. Southampton Indians

When you play Southampton, you can expect to see a

smashmouth offense. The Indians are led by quarterback Sidney Rawls who

passed or ran for a touchdown in every game. Fullback Alonzo Holeman will team

with a huge offensive line to grind out yardage. On defense, the Indians return

two outstanding linebackers in Jamod Winborne and Al Young. A favorable schedule

(tough games at home) should result in another playoff appearance.

6. Jamestown Eagles

Everything I've seen points to Jamestown being the most

improved team in the Bay Rivers. QB Michael Laycock will probably be more

effective with a better running game led by a solid line and the explosive

Curtis Stevenson. Turnovers put a stress on the defense last year, but the

running game should help alleviate that problem. The Eagles should be able to

win five games and they could pull a few upsets.

7. Poquoson Bull Islanders

Don't expect another winless season from the Bull

Islanders who received an influx of talent on both sides of the ball during the

off-season. Halfback Troy Fiedler is capable of producing big plays, and the

defense has more team speed than last year. With a little luck, Poquoson could

challenge for a D-3 playoff spot. They should finish in the middle third if the

district standings.

8. York Falcons

One of four new

coaches, Doug Pereira will return to a run offense after York experimented with

passing last year. The Falcons have one of the best two-way players in Evan Yeo,

and they have experience at quarterback in Aaron Edwards. York should be more

competitive this year if they can run more than they pass. Still, I don't

see them finishing any higher than sixth.

9. Bruton Panthers

Coach Kyle Neve gets more out of his players than any

coach I know. Bruton is always competitive despite not having 50 players show

up for practice every year. Larry Camp and Andrew Davis-Mixon are

All-district caliber players on defense, and both will start on offense as well.

They will miss All Everything QB/Db Mark Tyler and I believe they will struggle

to win five games.

The Trojans lost 4 of 5 to end the season and are in a

rebuilding year with 13 graduating seniors. Malcolm Jones is back and he will

move to running back after play offensive guard last year. He returns to play

linebacker where he was an All-VirginiaPreps selection last year. Mitchell Baker

and Gabe Smith also return as starters. The Trojans will probably play the

spoiler role this year.

11. Warhill Lions

Warhill joins the Bay Rivers District for the 2007

season, and will dive right in with a full district schedule. The majority of

their players do not have varsity experience and that will make it difficult to

get off to a good start. If the Lions can win at-least two games in their

first year, then that would be a big accomplishment.