Football forecast
How will Thomas Dale, Manchester and Cosby high schools fare on the field this season?
By Lynn Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Cosby High School football players Nick Erdman (from left), Bradley Shaban and Tyren Johns get in some practice time on the field. Cosby's coach says speed is one of the team's biggest assets this year.

When evaluating their prospects for the 2007 football season, head football coaches of high school squads typically take a middle of the road approach. Chesterfield County coaches are certainly no different and may be even more conservative since most have just begun their upcoming seasons.

Even so, the Chesterfield Observer recently asked several county high school football coaches to give their predictions for 2007.

Here's what they had to say:

Thomas Dale High School

Thomas Dale Head Coach Victor J. Williams' 2006 squad finished 6-1 in the Central District and 7-3 overall. Their one district loss, 24-6, was to 11-1 Matoaca, the district champion. The Knights lost to Varina and L.C. Byrd out of conference.

Williams is playing his 2007 season's cards very close to the vest. He will admit, however, that he expects this year's squad "will be better than last year" before quickly inserting the caveat, "but so will the other teams in the Central District."

He has named David Williams as his starting quarterback, and appears to be excited by the prospect of senior Malcolm Piggott as the leader of his defense. Piggott will also start in the offensive backfield at fullback.

But Thomas Dale will have its challenges this year. The coach is concerned about the lack of depth and experience among the other players who will compliment David Williams and Piggott offensively. A similar lack of experience may make the team's defense vulnerable as well.

Citing an extremely vigorous off-season training program, Williams predicts, "I expect to see an improvement in our O [offensive] line."

Williams' key to a successful season and "a chance at winning the district" is to get through the first three non-district games that open the season and to stay healthy.

Manchester High School

Manchester High School finished its 2006 campaign at 5-2 in the Dominion District and a mediocre 5-5 overall. Head Coach Thomas W. Hall is candid in his assessment of his underachieving Lancers.

"Injuries and mental breakdowns took their toll," he admitted.

But despite Manchester's middle of the road performance, five of the team's top players last season have gone on to play college ball. Offensive tackle Khalil Latif signed with Virginia Tech while defensive tackle Josh Turner went to Norfolk State. Latif was considered to be the premier offensive tackle on Tech's wish list.

That means this year's Lancers will be "young and inexperienced on both fronts," admitted Hall.

On the positive side, quarterback Chris Hardee brings effective leadership to this rebuilding squad. The 6'3", 210-pound senior accumulated 915 passing yards last year, threw for nine touchdowns and ran for three. Senior tailback/cornerback Leonard Smith was impressive with 1,143 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns.

Hall echoes Williams' assessment as to the key to a successful season: start strong.

However, the youthful Lancers will be up against it from the beginning. Ironically, their first game was against Williams' Lancers. They will face confrontations with the tough Huguenot, L.C. Bird and Clover Hill squads later this month.

Cosby High School

Cosby High School's Head Coach Pete Mutascio is optimistic over the prospects for his 2007 Titans - after all, there is nowhere to go but up. The new Cosby High School fielded a senior-less squad for its inaugural season last year. Playing a non-district schedule, the fledgling Titans managed to post a 2-8 record, putting away Washington and Lee and Freedom by identical 14-6 scores.

For the 2007 football season, Cosby will face higher caliber competition.

"We are very excited about being in the Dominion District this year," said Mutascio.

Off-season conditioning, including an aggressive weight training program, has "made us stronger and faster," added Mutascio.

Despite the extra workouts, it's unknown how the undersized Titan's will fare against stiffer competition in the Dominion District. But the Titans do have one magic ingredient: speed.

"We have a lot of 180-200 pound kids with speed and skills on both sides of the ball," said Mutascio.

The coach plans to spread the field and introduce an innovative (and secret, at this point) offensive strategy. His game plan is so unique that his biggest concern is how soon and how well his players will adapt to it.

"We have a great group returning," he said. "We will have a good year depending on how well the kids grasp our concepts."