Season Preview: Brentsville Tigers

Dan Clendaniel
Published: August 27, 2008

The future looks bright at Brentsville, which has 120 players in its football program including 42 freshmen and a slew of sophomores who are expected to help out on the varsity level in 2008.

“Our numbers are great,” said head coach Dean Reedy. “Now we have to make them capable of playing.”

The question is whether those sophomores can adapt quickly enough with the 26 seniors to help the Tigers hold their own in the competitive Northwestern District in 2008.

The Tigers’ goal is a return to the playoffs after having last gone in 2006.

Among the Tiger graduation losses were five cornerstones who are now playing for college teams: Justin Donnelly (Shepherd), Nathan
Watts (Army), Brian Baker (Ferrum), Quiydar Murphy (Shenandoah) and Sebastian Hernandez (Ferrum).

The Tigers must also hope that running back Philip Johnson can continue his comeback from a high ankle sprain suffered last season.
“We’re hoping to get him healthy,” said Reedy of his senior runner. “With that kind of injury, you want to make sure he’s ready because if it happens again, he’s done for the year.”

The Tigers need the running game to balance what should be a good passing attack behind quarterback P.J. Borko and experienced receivers Chris Spinks and Scotty Crane.

The Tigers averaged 13.7 points per game last year and Reedy hopes to increase that production.

“We feel pretty good about the offensive and defensive lines,” said Reedy. “We’ll have a lot of players to rotate including some underclassmen who will get a lot of opportunity to play.”

Returning to the offensive line are seniors Mike Gassett and Caleb Fletcher. Senior Travis Garrett, a transfer from Falls Church, will also see time on the offensive line as well as at defensive end.

Spinks and Crane return at receiver and will be joined by senior track runner Erik Kelly, making his debut on the football team.

Spinks (DB) and Crane (OLB) return to the defense along with inside linebacker Mike Tudor, back Kyle Robb and end Cameron Romine.
Reedy called up nine freshmen to the varsity for the last game of the season a year ago.

Reedy said seven from that group are expected to make large contributions to the varsity.

“Their (freshman and JV) season ended before ours so we brought them up and gave them a taste in the last game,” said Reedy.
Among them are backs Mike Lennox, Dave Hammond and Garrison Ernst and lineman Amardeep Singh.

“We need better reads on offense,” he said. “Defensively we see the need to adjust to motion and multiple sets.”

Team information

2007 record: 4-6
Offensive look: Split backs,
Pro-set
Defensive look: 40
Returning starters: 4 (offense);
4 (defense)
Last playoff appearance: 2006
Overall record last five years: 18-35
Speed merchant: Senior WR/DB Erik Kelly (5-10, 165) placed in the Group AA state meet in the 100 meters during outdoor track.
Powerhouse performer:
Senior FB/LB Mike Tudor (5-9, 215), who benches 365 pounds and has a parallel squat of 460 pounds.
n Blue collar special: Senior RB/LB Danny Hoosier (5-8, 160), who Reedy said was a support player last year but will have a larger role in 2008. “He has the work ethic to start on both sides of the ball,” said Reedy.
Other key returners: QB P.J. Borko (6-1, 190, sr.); WR/LB Scotty Crane (5-8, 160, sr.); OL/DL Caleb Fletcher (6-0, 220, sr.); OL Mike Gassett (6-4, 310, sr.); RB Philip Johnson (5-7, 155, sr.); DB Kyle Robb (5-10, 170, sr.); DE Cameron Romine (6-4, 240, sr); WR/DB Chris Spinks (5-9, 160, sr.)
Promising newcomers: OL/DE Travis Garrett (6-6, 265, sr., transfer from Falls Church); WR Garrison Ernst (6-2, 190, so.); RB/DB Dave Hammond (5-10, 180, so.); LB Mike Lennox (6-1, 190, so.); OL Amardeep Singh (6-4, 250, so.)
n Promising newcomers: QB/DE Dallas Love (6-1, 160, sr.); RB/DB Josh James (5-8, 185, jr., transfer from Stonewall Jackson)

Head coach
Dean Reedy
Age: 45
Year as Brentsville’s head coach: 7th
Overall Record at Brentsville: 26-36
Coaching background: Assistant coach, Woodbridge H.S., 1985-89; assistant coach, Brentsville, 1990-2001
Teaches: Drivers’ education
Family: Wife Brenda, daughters Jessi and Sam

SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Sept. 5 Freedom-Loudoun Co.
Sept. 12 at Heritage-Loudoun Co.
Sept. 19 at Broad Run
Sept. 26 at Warren County
Oct. 3 Millbrook
Oct. 10 at James Wood (7 p.m.)
Oct. 17 Skyline
Oct. 24 at Sherando (7 p.m.)
Oct. 31 Central-Woodstock
Nov. 7 Handley