Looking back on 2006:

First year school Warhill becomes the eleventh team in the competitive Bay Rivers District. The school received a mix of students from Jamestown High School and Lafayette High School in Williamsburg. Warhill school administrators hired a head football coach with local roots.

Matt Lemn played quarterback at Kempsville High School before moving on to Christopher Newport where he played quarterback and receiver. He's also served as an assistant high school coach at Smithfield and Tallwood. Starting a new program is never easy, but Lemn said the teams has long-ranged goals. "We want to lay the foundation and improve each game," he said.

2007 Offense:

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Warhill will run a multiple set college-style offense.

"It's the same offense ran at Christopher Newport, William & Mary, and James Madison," Lemn said. Warhill has two players competing for the starting quarterback spot. Freshman Shaun Cvengras was the quarterback at James Blair Middle school and Jacob Hardin played JV at Lafayette. Both players have taken snaps in practice, but Lemn hasn't decided on a starter. The running game looks promising with sophomores Kendall Green (5-foot-10, 175) and Kenaan Canady. Lemn said Green has ran the ball pretty good. The Lions have three juniors vying for the starting receiver spots. Curtis Ingram (5-foot-11, 170) played at Jamestown last year will probably start at one of the receiver slots. Mike Seger and Kenny Tyler will also lineup on the outside. Sophomore Donney Branch (6-foot-2, 230) is a big tight end who will help with blocking.

Lemn is hoping sophomores Travis James (6-foot-2, 290) and Randall Reed (6-foot-2, 280) will anchor the Warhill line for the next three years. Rounding out the cast of potential starters are freshman Jordan Davis, junior Christopher Jones, and junior Joe Berkley who will start at center.

four quick players--all with potential. Sophomores Caleb Beckwood

and Kenaan Canady will start on the corners. Mike Seger

and Jacob Hardin have first

dibs at safety.

Competing in the Bay Rivers without a senior class will be a challege to say the least for Coach Lemn and his very young Lions team. "For some of these guys it's their first varsity expereince," he commented. Warhill decided not to wait a year to begin playing a full district schedule. Although it would have probably been more competitve to schedule private schools and smaller Single A schools, Lemn is optimistic the schedule will help the team develop. "We know the district is tough," he said. "We're just going to dive right in. We have a clean slate--where starting from square one." Warhill starts their season on September 7, giving them an extra week of practice to get ready for Poquson. I think Warhill could win one or two games if they can stay away from the costly turnovers and penalties that usually seals the fate of most first-year schools. I'm interested to see how much they will

improve from week-to-week.