by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com
It was no secret last season that Meadowbrook was a run heavy team that played strong defense.
The Monarchs rode those attributes all the way to the Central Region, Division 6 title game where they fell to Hermitage.
A large graduating class from that squad that included running back Torrean Crowell and a huge chunk of their defense has left Meadowbrook with some question marks.
“We graduated 31 players and those players had been together for a while,” Monarchs coach Bill Bowles said. “We have a lot of holes to fill this year. We have some talented kids but it is going to take a little time.”
One of the most crucial pieces of last season’s success returns though in Morgan Moses.
The 6-7, 344 pound senior is one of the highest touted offensive linemen in the country. He has a number of scholarship offers from prolific college programs but has yet to decide on his future.
Moses along with senior lineman Derrick Tinsely will almost assuredly make running or throwing behind them look easy.
“He [Moses] is a very talented offensive lineman and we want to be able to use him in as many ways as we can,” Bowles said. “He and Tinsley will make it very solid for us on the left side.”
Benefiting from their protection will be junior quarterback Desmond Coble. A three-year starter, Coble was not asked to throw too much last season because of the strength of Meadowbrook’s running game.
Now with little experience in the backfield Coble may have to produce more with his arm.
“He has really matured. He took a lot of heat his freshman year but has come a long way,” Bowles said. “We are going to put more on him this year than ever before. We have got to rely on him and one of the things he needs to do is throw the ball.”
Running back Javon Worsham will attempt to take some of that pressure off of Bowles.
On defense Moses and Tinsely highlight a unit that lost defensive end Bryant Frazier, linebacker Michael Williams and almost the whole secondary.
Bowles has been pleased so far with how some of the young players have stepped up in the secondary and Menelik Hubbard and L.A. Lawrence will start at linebacker.
Last year the Monarchs used a six-game winning streak to end the regular season and make the playoffs with a seasoned team. For Meadowbrook to return to the post season they will need some of their new faces to step up immediately.
“I think our older kids will do well. They are very solid, very experienced,” Bowles said. “The thing with young kids is they will play well but they will also play bad and you got to get them consistent. And when that starts happening then you are going to start winning pretty regularly.”
2007 record: 6-1 Central District, 9-3 overall
2008 schedule 2007 results
(all games at 7:30 p.m., unless noted)
Aug. 15 – Manchester, 6:30 p.m. (scrimmage)
Aug. 21 – Clover Hill, 6 (scrimmage)
Aug. 28 – L.C. Bird, 6 L, 18-12
Sept. 5 – Midlothian W, 45-3
Sept. 12 – at Hermitage W, 30-20
Sept 26 – Thomas Dale L, 19-16
Oct. 3 – at Petersburg W, 35-12
Oct. 10 – Prince George W, 35-14
Oct. 17 – at Hopewell W, 42-0
Oct. 24 – Colonial Heights W, 62-10
Oct. 31 – Matoaca W, 14-12
Nov. 7 – at Dinwiddie W, 41-0
Big game: at Dinwiddie. The Generals feature a prolific offense behind senior quarterback Adam Morgan and will almost certainly be one of the top-ranked teams in the region.
Key players: Morgan Moses, OT/DL, Sr.; Desmond Coble, QB, Jr.; Derrick Tinsley, OL/DL, Sr.
Key losses: Torrean Crowell, RB (Union College of Kentucky); Bryant Frazier, DE (Florida A&M); Aaron Lewis, WR (VMI); Michael Williams, LB (Youngstown State); Marcus Spencer, RB
The skinny: Meadowbrook may be young but if they can get their running game to look half as good as last season they have a chance to make some noise.
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