District realignments, lack of star power generates questions

The new season is here, and with it comes a number of questions. With several stars heading to college football and district realignments wreaking havoc in the Shenandoah Valley, the changes have clouded expectations.

QB wants to restore program's luster

WOODSTOCK -- Matt Sherfey saw first hand what playoff football was all about. As Central made it to the postseason for the second year in a row, he was there on the sidelines.

Leader in the trenches returns to anchor line

BERRYVILLE -- There's little room for error in the trenches of a football field, especially when a game hinges on the success or failure of a single play.

Two-way player carries his weight

WINCHESTER -- Elijah Washington loves the weight room. He enjoys going in and challenging himself day after day, pushing himself to hit a new mark. It's that mentality that's helped him become the strongest player on Handley's team and molded him into one of the team's leaders.

Signal caller ponders college football, deals with high expectations

WINCHESTER -- It was a busy summer for Trae Tinsman. The James Wood senior spent most of it traveling from one football camp to another, but that's the life of a recruit trying to gain more attention from college programs.

Cornerback comes from football family

WOODSTOCK -- The play still stands out in Carl St. Amand's mind. It was third-and-four against St. John's, and the Massanutten Military Academy cornerback picked off a pass at the 40-yard line that swung the momentum in the Colonels' favor. MMA ended up winning that game due in large part to the interception.

Versatile lineman brings experience

WINCHESTER -- Doug Murrell learned how to play on the offensive line the hard way. As a sophomore he was forced into the starting lineup and had to go against players such as Sherando's Joey Christine, who was all-state on the defensive line that year.

Senior defenders prosper in team's family atmosphere

FRONT ROYAL -- Trust, respect and the genuine care and concern all come to mind when one thinks of family. That's exactly how senior teammates Nathaniel Earp and Josh Temple described the link between the members of the 2009 Randolph-Macon Academy football team -- a family.

Weight room addict ready to help push team in 2009

STEPHENS CITY -- It's hard to tell whether Sherando linebacker Baxter Newman is flexing or not. The deep crevices of his arms, which define first his shoulder, then his triceps and biceps before slithering down to his forearm, suggest that he probably is flexing.

Ball carrier to shoulder greater load this season

FRONT ROYAL -- Cliff Woodard is bigger than he's ever been.

Sophomore develops into reliable QB

QUICKSBURG -- The pressure was certainly there. As a freshman last season, John-Michael Pirtle was named starting quarterback when Dylan Dawson, the previous starter, was moved to tailback before the Generals' season opener.

Former backup earns respect as starting QB

STRASBURG -- A year ago, Michael Reynolds was little concerned with learning Strasburg coach Mark Roller's offense. Even though Reynolds was the backup quarterback, Bub McKelvey was slated as the starter. Instead, Reynolds was preoccupied with earning a starting role as a cornerback, and so he learned just enough of the offense to get by.

Senior brings versatility on both sides

FRONT ROYAL -- The art of blocking, at first, came easy for Damien Caison. As a tight end at Warren County, Caison had only to set himself on the line of scrimmage, take one or two hard steps, and engage the bulky defensive end or linebacker in front of him.