Schooled for success: Judges' Amos learning to master game of football at both school, home

By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- tkeeler@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Steve Amos has more than just his coaches at Handley helping him learn the game of football.

Usually after he plays, his two brothers, Bobby and David, sit down with him and watch a video of the game and give him tips.

"They've definitely played a big role in my career, and I value them very highly because they know what they're talking about," Steve Amos said.

Bobby graduated from Handley in 2005, while David graduated in 2006. Both were standout players at Handley, and now Stephen has followed suit.

On Saturday, Steve Amos will lead the Judges to the Group AA, Region II, Division 3 final against Park View at 1 p.m.

Steve Amos is a quiet leader for Handley, but he's made his share of big plays this season for the team. He said it's always a great feeling when you know you just helped your team.

"It's like you get this tunnel vision when you play defense," Steve Amos said. "Then you go back to the huddle and it hits you -- 'Wow, I may have just made a game-changing play.'"

Last week, he had a sack and a game-sealing interception for the Judges in their 30-20 win over Goochland.

"He has a real nose for the football," Handley coach Tony Rayburn said. "He makes a lot of plays for us. He's a hard worker. He's got a great attitude. He's an important part of our team."

Steve Amos isn't the only one in his family who made plays for Handley. Both of his brothers made big plays for the Judges, and Steve said he went to all of their games when he was younger.

In Bobby's senior year, the Judges went to the state semifinals and Steve Amos said one play that year still stands out in his mind.

"In the Warren County [regular season] game, it was late and they threw a Hail Mary to him and he made a diving catch," Steve Amos said. "I remember it because he stepped up and made the play when they needed it."

Steve Amos started playing football in the eighth grade, and finally got some varsity time last season.

Handley moved Robert Galloway from tight end to wide receiver, and moved Steve Amos to the starting tight end spot midway through the season. His first game was against county rival Sherando.

"I had butterflies in my stomach," Steve Amos said. "It was a big game. They have a lot of strong people. I felt like I held my own against them, and that gave me confidence."

This season, he has six catches for 61 yards for the Judges (11-0).

With Handley being predominantly a running team, Steve Amos is usually more of a blocking tight end. He said he would like to be able to catch the ball more, but he's willing to do whatever the team needs.

Handley quarterback Geremi Long said he loves throwing the ball to Steve Amos.

"He's dependable," Long said. "I don't hesitate to throw it to him. He doesn't have that burst of speed, but he makes up for it with his hands and his work ethic."

In the offseason, Amos worked extra hard in the weight room on getting stronger and it has paid off this year on both sides of the ball. He starts at outside linebacker and has been a force for the Judges this season.

He has 65 tackles, which is fifth on the team, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions, both of which are third on the team.

Steve Amos said his most memorable sack of the season came against Sherando.

"They were back near the end zone and I got a sack, and I remember looking at the crowd and they got silent," Amos said. "It was one of the best feelings."

The Judges have had a lot of memorable plays this season, but Steve Amos hopes they have plenty more to come. With a win this week, Handley would advance to the state semifinals, just like the team did when his brothers were playing.

Steve Amos said he and his brothers are very competitive, so naturally he'd like to achieve the same thing they did.

"I really looked up to all the guys on that team, L.A. Anderson and a lot of those guys," Steve Amos said. "It would be great if we could do what they did, and maybe we can even go further."