Season preview: Woodbridge Vikings

By Robert Daski

Published: August 27, 2008

Thanks to player additions and scheme changes, Woodbridge could actually be more dangerous this season than they were a year ago when they reached the Group AAA Division 6 state final.

The Vikings relied almost exclusively on the legs of De’Antwan “Rocket” Williams to carry them through the postseason and into the title game as Williams racked up 2,249 yards and 26 touchdowns. It didn’t matter how many defenders opponents put in the box to stop the running back, Williams was going to get his yardage and usually allowed his team to walk away victorious.

This season, coach Keith King likes the diversity his squad has on offense. Woodbridge had a small quarterback competition between returning junior Frank Buckley and junior transfer Darius Smith during preseason practices with Buckley earning the starting job entering the 2008 campaign.

Buckley played three games for the varsity team when Jake Myer was unavailable with a knee injury and had the experience edge on Smith, a player who led the freshman team to an undefeated season before heading to Montrose Christian to play basketball last year.

“Right now I think Frank, being in our system the last couple years, he’s our quarterback,” King said. “Darius is behind from not playing football last year. You miss that year and that’s a valuable year, your sophomore year and that’s a year ahead that Frank’s got.”

Buckley also participated in offseason passing camps and has impressed with his throwing progress so far. But King adds that Smith’s athleticism will be an asset in diversifying the team’s offense.

“We feel like there’s certain situations, certain packages that we can put in which will allow us to have one more really good multiple, talented athlete on the field,” King said.

Another key addition to the roster is Shariff Coleman, considered Williams’ likely heir to the feature back spot with the Vikings.

“He is not nearly as physical as Rocket is running the ball,” King said, “but he’s extremely quick, and has great breakaway speed.” King adds that he may use Williams, Coleman and Smith in the backfield at the same time to add speed while keeping three wide receivers on the field.

King said he hopes to increase the offensive line’s flexibility by moving senior Jay Weatherington from tight end to right tackle opposite All-Area first teamer and left tackle Austin Brown.

Weatherington, fully recovered after dislocating his ankle and breaking his tibia Oct. 19th vs. Forest Park, has offers from Boston College, Richmond, James Madison, Navy and Liberty.

“That allows us to have, in my opinion, the two best tackles in Prince William County for sure and two of the better tackles in the state,” King said. “We won’t be as much power. It’s going to be more finesse, quick, using our athletic ability on the offensive line.”

The Vikings also return eight starters on a defense that allowed just 17 points a game last year. Despite losing All-Area first teamers Paul Thompson and Mike Adjei, King is confident in those replacing them.

Outlook:
2007 record: 9-5
Offensive look: Multiple I-formation
Defensive look: 50
Returning starters: 6 (offense); 8 (defense)
Last playoff appearance: 2007
Overall record last five years: 35-23
Speed merchants: Senior DB/WR Kelvin Lewis (5-10, 160) stood out above all others in coach Keith King’s mind with a legitimate 4.3 40-yard dash speed.
Powerhouse performer: King says almost without a doubt it’s punishing senior RB De’Antwan Williams (5-8, 200) who benches 385.
Blue collar special: King was hesitant to single out a player who has shown a better work ethic than anyone else saying, “As far as throwing one guy out there, I think our kids feed off one another. It’s been a team effort.”
Other key returners: OL/DL Austin Brown (6-2, 265, sr.); LB/HB Trey Garvey (6-0, 210, sr.); FB Kevin Tyrra (5-11, 215, sr.); LB/FB Keyon Wade (5-9, 200, sr.); OT/DT Jay Weatherington (6-4, 280, sr.); DB Donnell Whitfield (5-7, 155, sr.); LB Matt Wilson (6-0, 210, sr.); DB/WR Collin Frazier (5-10, 180, jr.); LB Darryl Haley (5-11, 210, jr.); WR/DB Demetrius Quarles (5-9, 150, jr.)
Promising newcomers:  WR Kyle Cody (5-9, 155, sr.); QB Frank Buckley (6-4, 180, jr.); OT/DT Rommel Burks (5-11, 245, jr., transfer from South County); QB Darius Smith (5-10, 165, jr., transfer from Montrose Christian); RB Shariff Coleman (5-4, 155, so.)

Head coach
Keith King
Age: 48
Year as Woodbridge’s head coach: 8th
Overall Record at Woodbridge: 42-36
Coaching background: Assistant coach, Langley H.S. 1987-89; assistant coach, Potomac H.S., 1993-95; 1997-98; head coach, Potomac, 1999-2000.
Teaches: Physical education
Family: Wife Beth; daughter Audrey; sons Nolan and Trent

SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Aug. 29 Riverbend
Sept. 5 at Highland Springs
Sept. 12 Loudoun Valley
Sept. 19 at Osbourn
Sept. 26 at Franklin County
Oct. 10 Potomac
Oct. 17 at Forest Park
Oct. 24 Hylton
Oct. 31 Freedom
Nov. 7 at Gar-Field