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With three-time champion Bishop Sullivan Catholic no longer in the Tidewater Conference picture, this year’s race will have a decidedly different look. Also gone: the Crusaders’ 60 year-plus rivalry with Norfolk Academy.
Look for Division III defending state champion Nansemond-Suffolk Academy to remain competitive despite a mass exodus of talent because of graduation. The Saints graduated five all-state first-teamers – including Offensive Player of the Year Noah Giles and Defensive Player of the Year Cole Christiansen.
Norfolk Academy, despite a youthful lineup, is the early favorite in a TCIS that features new coaches at Greenbrier Christian and Nansemond-Suffolk.
And a once-dominant Norfolk Christian is back in the football business after a two-year hiatus and has started construction of an on-campus turf field.
A look at each area private-school team: Bishop Sullivan Catholic Crusaders
Coach: Chris Scott, first year at Bishop Sullivan; 92-10 in eight seasons at Ocean Lakes.
Last season: 4-6 overall
Impact players: WR Tahj Capehart, 5-10, 185, sr.; WR/DB Tylan McElhenie, 6-1, 185, sr.; DL Brandon Gaddy, 6-4, 290, sr.; DL Breyon Gaddy, 6-5, 335, sr.; WR/DB Chris Hunt, 6-1, 165, sr.; RB Khalan Laborn, 5-10, 200, sr.; WR/DB Tayvion Land, 5-8,. 160, soph.; LB Teradja Mitchell, 6-2, 225, jr.; L Noah Knapp, 6-0, 270, sr.
On the field: The arrival of Scott from Ocean Lakes marks a new era for the Crusaders, who are on a mission to become one of the top high school football teams in the country. This year’s lineup — and a rugged schedule — will go a long way in building that foundation, with eight college commits before the season kicks off: Laborn (Florida State), Capehart (Virginia Tech), the Gaddy brothers (Tennessee), Knapp (Army), Hunt (West Virginia), McElhenie (Delaware) and Land (Virginia Tech). Laborn was among the star players who followed Scott from Ocean Lakes. Laborn racked up 2,205 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, and QB Tyler DeSue, who threw for 720 last season at Ocean Lakes, also transferred. Mitchell is a five-star recruit who transferred from Bayside. The ambitious schedule begins with Liberty Christian (now a member of the Virginia High School League) and also includes nationally ranked IMG Academy of Florida — Nov. 19 at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
Look for Division III defending state champion Nansemond-Suffolk Academy to remain competitive despite a mass exodus of talent because of graduation. The Saints graduated five all-state first-teamers – including Offensive Player of the Year Noah Giles and Defensive Player of the Year Cole Christiansen.
Norfolk Academy, despite a youthful lineup, is the early favorite in a TCIS that features new coaches at Greenbrier Christian and Nansemond-Suffolk.
And a once-dominant Norfolk Christian is back in the football business after a two-year hiatus and has started construction of an on-campus turf field.
A look at each area private-school team: Bishop Sullivan Catholic Crusaders
Coach: Chris Scott, first year at Bishop Sullivan; 92-10 in eight seasons at Ocean Lakes.
Last season: 4-6 overall
Impact players: WR Tahj Capehart, 5-10, 185, sr.; WR/DB Tylan McElhenie, 6-1, 185, sr.; DL Brandon Gaddy, 6-4, 290, sr.; DL Breyon Gaddy, 6-5, 335, sr.; WR/DB Chris Hunt, 6-1, 165, sr.; RB Khalan Laborn, 5-10, 200, sr.; WR/DB Tayvion Land, 5-8,. 160, soph.; LB Teradja Mitchell, 6-2, 225, jr.; L Noah Knapp, 6-0, 270, sr.
On the field: The arrival of Scott from Ocean Lakes marks a new era for the Crusaders, who are on a mission to become one of the top high school football teams in the country. This year’s lineup — and a rugged schedule — will go a long way in building that foundation, with eight college commits before the season kicks off: Laborn (Florida State), Capehart (Virginia Tech), the Gaddy brothers (Tennessee), Knapp (Army), Hunt (West Virginia), McElhenie (Delaware) and Land (Virginia Tech). Laborn was among the star players who followed Scott from Ocean Lakes. Laborn racked up 2,205 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, and QB Tyler DeSue, who threw for 720 last season at Ocean Lakes, also transferred. Mitchell is a five-star recruit who transferred from Bayside. The ambitious schedule begins with Liberty Christian (now a member of the Virginia High School League) and also includes nationally ranked IMG Academy of Florida — Nov. 19 at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
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