Div 3 Final Preview: Richlands vs Turner Ashby
'>Richlands Blue Tornado (13-0) @ Turner Ashby
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Knights (11-2)
'>Saturday, 4p.m
font-family:"Verdana"'>Williams Stadium,
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Lynchburg
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;'>The Division 3
championship features the VirginiaPreps.com preseason #2 team – the Richlands
Blue Tornado – against the surprising Knights of Turner Ashby, who finished
second in the Valley District during the regular season, but have had a
terrific postseason.
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;'>Richlands comes into
the game with perhaps the most heralded defense in all of the
commonwealth. The Blue Tornado 'D' has
been strong all season, with six shutouts to their credit, and has allowed 20
points just once, last week against Liberty in the state semifinals.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> On the other side of the ball, the Blue
Tornado have shown the ability to put up big points in a hurry, being held to
under 30 points just three times this season, though two of those games have
come in the last two weeks as competition has been tougher.
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;'>Turner Ashby has two
five game winning streaks to their credit during the season and can claim a
number of lopsided victories. The
Knights have also shown the ability to win close games and to come from behind
in the late stages of games. The offense
has improved throughout the season, and features a balanced attack that can
alternate between power running and solid passing.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The defense has been the story for Turner
Ashby, as well, with notable performances against R.E. Lee (twice) and an
explosive James Monroe team in the state semifinals last weekend.
12.0pt;'>Quarterbacks
'>For Richlands, junior Justin McCracken claimed
the job in the offseason and has turned into the leader of a good offensive
group. McCracken passed for over 1100
yards and ran for almost 650 during the regular season, exploiting the modified
spread offense very nicely, and has continued to excel during the first three
playoff games. Standing at 6'3",
McCracken gives the Blue Tornado a strong presence in the pocket and on the
run.
'>Senior Seth Little quarterbacks the Turner
Ashby offense. He is a dual-threat as a
runner (450 yards rushing in the regular season) and a passer (1050 yards) and
has been the spark for the Knights in the playoffs.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> His arm was key in the fourth quarter
comeback against Handley two weeks back, and Little came through with two big
touchdown tosses.
12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Running Backs and Wide Receivers
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>
'>Joining McCracken in the Richlands' running
game is fellow junior Caleb Jennings.
Jennings has bounced back from some early season injury problems to rush
for 772 yards in the regular season and over 350 in the postseaon thus far (5.6
ypc in the playoffs). The receiving
corps is led by 6'4" senior Rob Stanton, who averaged around 20 yards per catch
and snagged six touchdowns this season.
Senior Brandon Gayheart was named first team all-region IV at tight end.
'>The Knights think of themselves as a power
team, but they have shown the ability to open their offense up.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In the backfield, senior Shay Garst and
juniors Micah Zwanzig and Drew Loso are the leading rushers out of the wing-T
formation. Zwanzig is a power runner,
while the others can give the Knights the ability to get outside the box.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> On the outside, wide receiver Daniel Harvey
provides a deep threat with good speed and tight end Charlie Newman can be a
big part of the offense.
12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Offensive Line
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>
'>Both teams will look to win the game within
the game, otherwise known as the battle in the trenches.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Richlands' line has been a force this season,
led by 6'4", 300 lb. senior Garrett Arms and senior Sean Mullins at
center. The ability of the Blue Tornado
blockers to control scrimmage has been a strength for Richlands throughout
2005.
'>Turner Ashby will also look to hold the line –
a task which they have excelled at this season.
Despite featuring a lot of youth (only two seniors are listed on their
roster as linemen), the Knights have been able to move the ball on the ground
behind their line. This could be their
toughest test to date, and Turner Ashby will want to establish their running
game early.
12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Defense
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>
'>As mentioned previously, Richlands' defense is
perhaps the best in the state (and we're not just talking AA).
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Up front, lineman Travis Payne and end
Brandon Gayheart have been thorns in opposition running attacks' all
season. The linebackers have been
equally strong, led by senior Brad Lester and junior Brett Clayburne, as well
as McCracken at outside linebacker. The
secondary could be the weakest link, though that's not an indictment of the
group led by junior D.J. Simmons, who leads the team in interceptions with
five.
font-family:"Verdana"'>Turner Ashby's defense has shown the ability
to bottle up high-powered offenses in the playoffs.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Against an athletic Lee team, the Knights
allowed just 7 points, while Handley and James Monroe scored more points, but
were both held well under their season averages.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Jimmy Young and Carl McIntyre have been run
stuffers up front, and Young leads the team with 12 sacks this year.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Charlie Newman, Drew Loso and Micah Zwanzig
all have made big plays throughout the season at linebacker and provide good
athleticism for the position. In the
secondary, Little, Daniel Harvey have been the leaders, with Jamie Webb coming
up with the big
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>INT
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;'>
in the win over Handley two weeks ago.
12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Special Teams
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>
font-family:"Verdana"'>Richlands features the region IV return man of
the year in Caleb Jennings and found that sophomore Romulo Fajardo could come
through when it counted with the game-winning field goal last week against
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Liberty
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;'>.
font-family:"Verdana"'>Turner Ashby's Cody Ochoa has been an
excellent weapon for the Knights' kicking game in 2005.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Harvey
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>'s
speed is an asset in the return game as well.
12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana"'>Outlook
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>
'>It's difficult to separate these two
teams. Both teams look to their
quarterbacks to be the catalysts for offensive success, but both also feature
strong running games that can follow behind equally strong offensive
lines. The defenses are both stout, with
Richlands having a slight advantage based on the performances this season.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I don't expect either team to be able to
thoroughly dominate the other with just their running game.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Whichever team can get a balanced effort from
the offense will have the advantage here in what should be a low-scoring,
defensive struggle. In the end, I expect
Richlands' defense to be the difference, as they have been for most of the
season. Prediction:
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Richlands 21, Turner Ashby 15
Rosters:
Turner
Ashby
Number First Name
Last Name Position Height Weight Year
1 Seth Little QB/DB "5'10""" 175 Senior
2 Joey Metzler RB/LB "5'10""" 152 Senior
3 Shay Garst RB/DB "5'9""" 165 Senior
4 Daniel Harvey WR/DB "6'0""" 175 Senior
5 Andrew Armstrong RB/DB "6'1""" 170 Junior
6 Micah Zwanzig RB/LB "5'11""" 190 Junior
7 Jamie Webb WR/DB "5'10""" 145 Junior
8 Richie Bridges WR/DE "5'10""" 160 Junior
9 Cody Ochoa K "6'0""" 175 Senior
10 Dexter Jones WR/DB "5'8""" 155 Junior
11 Charlie Newman TE/LB "6'2""" 225 Senior
12 Andrew Hedrick QB/DE "5'11""" 165 Sophomore
14 Caleb Shank RB/DE "5'6""" 154 Senior
16 Jamie Fellers QB/DB "5'10""" 145 Sophomore
17 Tanner Croy QB/LB "6'2""" 180 Freshman
18 Drew Loso RB/LB "5'11""" 170 Junior
20 David Randolph RB/DB "5'6""" 140 Senior
21 Casey Collins WR/DB "6'0""" 145 Senior
23 Cole Hart RB/DB "5'5""" 150 Freshman
24 Kaleb Bolton RB/DE "5'6""" 140 Junior
25 Logan Arey TE/DE "5'8""" 160 Freshman
26 Michael Ray WR/DB "5'6""" 130 Sophomore
27 Aaron Hart RB/DB "5'8""" 145 Sophomore
29 Cory Deavers WR/LB "5'7""" 145 Freshman
30 Trenton Simmons FB/LB "5'8""" 175 Freshman
31 Gerry Casey K/P "5'8""" 140 Freshman
32 Josh Embrey RB/LB "5'9""" 160 Sophomore
33 Jimmy Young RB/DB "6'1""" 200 Senior
34 Jared Argabright FB/LB "6'0""" 180 Freshman
35 Colton Harmon WB/LB "5'7""" 145 Freshman
40 Preston Campbell WB/LB "6'0""" 170 Freshman
41 Mike McCoy OB/FS "5'7""" 135 Freshman
42 Cody Thompson RB/DE "5'9""" 155 Sophomore
44 Cliff Parkins RB/LB "5'7""" 151 Sophomore
50 Carl McIntyre OL/DL "6'2""" 288 Junior
51 Chris Fellers OL/DL "5'7""" 227 Junior
52 Derek Shickel OL/DL/LB "6'1""" 210 Junior
53 Cody Hartman OL/DL "5'8""" 222 Junior
54 Tristan Sly OL/LB "5'7""" 178 Sophomore
55 Ben Walker OL/DL "6'1""" 220 Freshman
56 Trinstan Sinnett OL/LB "5'11""" 180 Junior
58 Travis Sites OL/DL "5'6""" 220 Freshman
61 Phillip Raines OL/NT "5'10""" 180 Freshman
62 Wes Dollins OL/NT "5'8""" 200 Freshman
63 Robbie Pence OL/DL "6'1""" 262 Sophomore
64 A.J. Sutherly OL/DL "6'2""" 195 Freshman
65 Cory Ours OL/DL/LB "5'11""" 210 Junior
66 Richard Blackwell OL/DL "5'7""" 201 Sophomore
67 Lee Keyser OL/DL "5'9""" 210 Junior
68 Darren Campbell OL/DL "5'11""" 230 Senior
70 Ryan Flanery OL/DL "5'10""" 245 Junior
71 Daniel Reedy OL/DL "6'1""" 300 Junior
72 Colton Figgins C/NT "6'0""" 190 Freshman
74 Brad Brunk OL/DL "6'0""" 252 Senior
75 Justin Smith OL/DL "6'1""" 280 Sophomore
80 David Butler WR/DE "6'0""" 155 Freshman
81 Colton Mitchell WR/DB "5'5""" 130 Freshman
82 Shaun Anderson TE/LB "5'9""" 190 Junior
83 Steven Williamson TE/LB "6'0""" 210 Sophomore
84 Justin Shull TE/DE "5'10""" 195 Senior
88 Ryan Short TE/DE "6'1""" 170 Freshman
Richlands
Number First Name Last Name Position Height Weight Year
1 Austin Fuller QB/FS "5'11""" 155 Sophomore
2 C.J. Arms WR/SS "6'2""" 185 Junior
5 Rob Stanton WR/FS "6'4""" 205 Senior
6 Romulo Fajardo WR/DB "5'6""" 150 Sophomore
6 Brandon Olmstead WR/DB "5'7""" 135 Freshman
7 Caleb Jennings TB/FS "5'7""" 150 Junior
7 Blayke Wilson WR/DB "5'8""" 140 Freshman
8 Anthony Miller WR/SS "5'9""" 155 Senior
11 Drew Presnell WR/DB "5'7""" 135 Sophomore
12 Matt Davis WR/DB "6'0""" 155 Sophomore
15 Justin McCracken QB/LB "6'3""" 200 Junior
15 Joel Elswick WR/DB "5'9""" 165 Freshman
20 Ben Addison TB/DB "5'8""" 160 Sophomore
21 Brett Clayburne WR/LB "6'2""" 185 Junior
21 Charles Payne WR/DB "6'0""" 155 Freshman
22 Jeremy White WR/LB "5'10""" 160 Junior
22 Khevan Schweingruber WR/DB "5'9""" 145 Freshman
25 Brad Lester FB/LB "6'1""" 205 Senior
28 Brandon Smith TB/SS "5'9""" 165 Senior
29 Kaleb Hamilton FB/LB "5'9""" 165 Freshman
30 D.J. Simmons WR/DB "5'11""" 175 Junior
34 Jarryd Harrison FB/DE "5'11""" 205 Senior
37 Derek Jackson FB/LB "5'9""" 175 Freshman
40 Josh Matney RB/DL "5'7""" 135 Sophomore
41 Devin Whaley RB/DB "5'7""" 134 Sophomore
44 J.D. Shelton WR/LB "5'8""" 145 Sophomore
45 Travis Payne FB/DL "5'10""" 210 Senior
46 Brandon Gayheart TE/DE "6'4""" 230 Senior
50 Nathan Mitchell OL/DL "6'1""" 260 Freshman
52 Britt Altizer OL/DL "6'0""" 210 Freshman
54 Sean Mullins C/DL "6'1""" 230 Senior
55 Jake Goforth OL/DL "6'0""" 230 Junior
56 Gregg Reynolds OL/DL "5'11""" 235 Senior
58 Joey Fletcher OL/DL "5'11""" 225 Junior
60 Chad Adams OL/DL "6'0""" 210 Junior
60 Chad Davis OL/DL "6'0""" 250 Freshman
63 Brandon Compton C/DL "6'1""" 245 Junior
64 Cody VanDyke OL/DL "5'11""" 275 Junior
65 Zack Pruett OL/DL "5'11""" 265 Sophomore
66 Justin Williams OL/DL "6'3""" 235 Senior
67 Roy Christian OL/DL "5'10""" 230 Freshman
71 Derek McKnight OL/DE "6'5""" 245 Junior
72 Chase Fuller OL/DL "6'1""" 275 Sophomore
74 Jason Shepherd OL/DL "6'2""" 275 Junior
76 Garrett Arms OL/DL "6'4""" 300 Senior
76 Jordan Stinson OL/DL "6'1""" 235 Freshman
79 Justin Taylor OL/DL "6'3""" 310 Senior
80 Jeremy Blankenship TE/DE "6'1""" 195 Sophomore
80 Chris Adams WR/DB "5'8""" 145 Freshman
82 James Howell TE/DE "5'11""" 200 Freshman
85 Shawn Cook WR/DB "5'8""" 135 Junior
87 Eric Stiltner WR/DB "5'9""" 145 Freshman
88 Shane Wicks TE/LB "6'1""" 205 Sophomore
