Prep football notebook: QBs the focal point in first week of practice

By Tommy Keeler Jr. and Jeremy Stafford -- sports@nvdaily.com

Handley's Geremi Long tries to hang onto the ball at practice on Wednesday. After sharing quarterback duties last season, Long is the Judges' starter this year. Dennis Grundman/Daily Sherando's Ross Metheny drops back to throw against Skyline on Oct. 10. Since Metheny graduated, the Warriors opened their quarterback competition this season. Rich Cooley/Daily file

Handley senior quarterback Geremi Long had no problems sharing the quarterback duties with Brian Tavenner last season. Now that Tavenner has graduated, Long's ready to take over the reins full-time.

"I've spent a lot of time in the offseason studying tape and trying to get my footwork stronger," Long said. "I'm really looking forward to the season."

Handley coach Tony Rayburn said he's seen improvement from Long and the coaching staff is making adjustments to tailor the offense to Long's strengths.

"I think Geremi has more confidence this year," Rayburn said. "He knows the offense better and he has that experience now."

The Judges lost their top two receivers -- Robert Galloway and Vance Washington -- to graduation, but Rayburn said he wasn't concerned about his pass catchers.

"I actually feel really good about our receivers," Rayburn said. "I think we have some guys that have some ability and will do well."

BUILDING OFF OF SUCCESS: Clarke County head football coach Chris Parker has already seen a lot of positives come from the Eagles' successful 2008 campaign.

The Eagles went 10-2 and advanced to the Region B, Division 2 final, where they lost to eventual state champion Gretna.

"I think it helps in every facet," Parker said. "It helps with their attitudes. It helps in the weight room. They understand what it takes to produce on the field and win games. They realize they have to keep working hard and keep plugging away."

The Eagles are again loaded at the skill positions and Parker said that's helped the team hit the ground running in terms of learning the offense in the first week.

The Eagles will use multiple formations -- such as the single-wing and spread offense -- again this year with junior Zach Shiley handling most of the quarterback duties.

IN WITH THE NEW: With the graduation of stud quarterback Ross Metheny, who's now hurling pigskins for U.Va., Sherando Warriors head coach Bill Hall is dealing with a situation he admittedly hasn't dealt with in years: A quarterback competition.

Over the next few weeks, senior Corey Rice will race sophomores Jalen Brisco and Lucas Tunison for the position behind center.

It's a situation Hall says will only help the Warriors.

"They've done everything they need to do to put themselves so they can be successful," Hall said. "The great thing about competition is it's gonna make us better. So as opposed to hoping to find one, we have three right now that I think we could win with."

Rice and Brisco alternated time at quarterback toward the end of last season, with Rice completing 22 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown.

But for Hall, Sherando's postseason hopes will hardly depend on who's calling plays, especially when compared to the high level of effort, energy and leadership his team has brought to each practice thus far.

"For us it's always been about just playing football," Hall said. "It doesn't matter who [is quarterback], those 11 people are going to function as one unit and be successful.

"I think that's what they're bringing to the table, and our success or failure isn't dependent on one person."

NO PAIN, NO GAIN: After three days of practice, Warren County head coach Tony Tallent believes that the work his team has put in during the offseason is already obvious.

Sophomore tailback and linebacker Gage Steele wrestled and participated in track and field for the Wildcats, while tight end, fullback and linebacker Damien Caison played basketball and baseball. The two are just a sampling of the number of athletes that have relied on other sports to keep in shape since last season.

"Our student body has bought into a total sports concept," Tallent said. "Our athletes are trying to do multiple sports and we're encouraging that.

"We want to support every activity that we can in the school, athletic and not athletic, trying to get the kids to do as much as they can."

Tallent highlighted the offensive line, specifically three-year starters Mike Helminski, A.J. Lockhart and Justin Ernst, as probably the Wildcats' greatest asset along with Caison, a running back.

"We just feel that they're going to make us more multi-dimensional," Tallent said. "Their communication skills between each other, it's beginning to be almost sibling-like."

IF IT AIN'T BROKE: Just as they had last year, teams in the Bull Run District can expect a heavy dose of Strasburg running back Tanner Orndorff.

The senior bruiser was the Rams' workhorse last season, rushing for 957 yards and three touchdowns. And with the return of shifty senior Bub McKelvey, the Rams will be quite versatile offensively.

Unfortunately for Strasburg, McKelvey and Orndorff are two of only eight Rams seniors and, along with junior quarterback Michael Reynolds, will bear the brunt of the leadership responsibilities.

Still, the amount of work his young team has put in during the offseason keeps Strasburg coach Mark Roller optimistic.

"We had a good turnout in the weight room this summer," Roller said. "The surprise was a lot of the younger kids that were in the weight room -- you know the upcoming sophomores, the upcoming juniors, a lot of them that are playing this year -- they were in the weight room, which is very encouraging for us."