Salem Coach Robert Jackson steps down, takes Norcom AD gig
Patriot will have to surrender much less than the 35 points a game they did in 2015
by Jim McGrath, recruit757
Team: Patriot (Nokesville, VA)
Classification/Conference – 6A/8
– 4-6 (did not qualify for 6A playoffs)
Head Coach – Brud Bicknell
Mascot – Pioneers (Navy Blue, Red, Silver)
In a conference dominated by Battlefield last year, the Patriot Pioneers will enter the and a 6A playoff berth, both of which eluded them last year.
The key to improvement this year will be the defense. In 2015, the Pioneers gave up a whopping 35.9 points per game, and they will need to keep their opponents under season’s 4- around.
Patriot head coach Brud Bicknell is concerned with the size of his defensive players, but hopes that other factors will overshadow the problem. “”We’re more aggressive on defense, faster, and have multiple players with great motors.”
Leading the way for the Pioneer defenders will be Elijah Snow. Snow (5-10, 185, Jr.) was the team’s leading tackler last year from his linebacker position.
Shane Grasty (6-1, 220, Sr.) is another returning starter who will join Snow at linebacker. However, for 2016, Grasty will slide from the inside slot to outside.
Three other defenders will return for Bicknell. Defensive backs Mufudzi Chogugudza (5-8, 150, Sr.) and Ike Onwuka (5-7, 170, Jr.) will be back on their islands, while Darius Robertson (6-1, 190, Jr.) will anchor a defensive line that will need to shore up the run game for Patriot to see post-season action.
Patrick Bentley (6-2, 225, Sr.) will be back to lead the Pioneer offense. Bentley was second team All-Conference year, and Bicknell sees his field general’s “experience, strong arm and strong runner” abilities as the keys to improving an offense that scored a shade under 24 points per game in 2015.
Onwuka will return to his slot position, while Bailey Seamon (5-10, 175, Sr.) leads the wide receiving corps. Of Seamon, Bicknell says he has “great hands and is a good route runner.”
Bicknell has confidence in the offense. “We have multiple running threats – no one star, but more people to defend.” He is also happy with the team’s offensive line, which is bigger this year. “We have the ability to protect the quarterback,” says the coach.
Ty Leasure (6-4, 305, OT, Jr.) will be the most noticeable lineman for Pioneer, and he is joined by three returning starters – center Trent Smith (6-0, 235, Sr.), guard Michael Craven (5-10, 240, Sr.) and tackle Harold Barbour (6-1, 250, Jr.). Bicknell is pleased with Leasure’s potential, and also hopes to see improvement from new guard Lorenzo Campoverde (5-10, 220, Jr.), who is moving up from the jayvee.
For now, Bicknell’s goals are simple. ”We want to play hard in every game, and be competitive. And we want to play great in the fourth quarter.”
Others to Watch – J.B. Thompson (5-8, 175, RB, Sr.), Bo Giwa (5-6, 165, Slot, Jr.), Andrew Bundens (6-1, 210, TE, Sr.), Michael Mensah (5-7, 175, S, Jr.), Jahmia Marcelle (6-0, 155, DB, So.), Tyler Puhlick (6-0, 185, LB, Sr.), Jourdan Smith (6-0, 185, LB, Jr.), Phillip Keel (5-10, 185, NG, Jr.), Tyler Quander (6-0, 190, DL, Jr.).
– Jim McGrath
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