Warhill football gaining momentum heading into the opener

Warhill High' football team showed progress in Wednesday's scrimmage with Kempsville.

By John Harvey

HarveySports757@yahoo.com

                       

JAMES CITY – Warhill High’s football team will open its season in two weeks against Class 4A foe Churchland at Sanford B. Wanner Stadium.

Coach Thad Wheeler and his team prepared for the Portsmouth School Thursday with their final scrimmage against the Kempsville Chiefs.

The Lions held their own against the Beach District school, showing strong play on both sides of the ball.

“We got better today and that’s all we look for each day is to get better,” Wheeler said. “Now we’ll come back tomorrow and try to get better. We’re still a work in progress.”

Elijah Onks had a 45-yard touchdown run or Warhill.

Elijah Onks, Collin Bright and Bryce Koob ran the ball effectively against the Chiefs. Onks provided the biggest play of the night, a 45-yard touchdowns run that featured him breaking three tackles before breaking free for the score.

Bright showed great vision in the whole and did a great job of reading his blocks. Koob only had a couple of carries, but he showed great power running the ball up the middle.

Up front, the Lions looked at home in the new Wing-T attack. Nathan Tirak, Kyle Barkles, Chris Lynch, Julian Williams, Karson Dellert and Clayton Osterloh did a nice job of opening up holes in the running game.

QB Bryson Dannewitz had two interceptions, but showed ability to throw and pass.

Defensively, Warhill looked much improved. They forced a fumble on the first possession and the first unit did not allow an offensive touchdown.

Osterloh, Bright and Koob were solid against the run and didn’t allow too many big gains. Defensive backs Desmond Cunningham and Keron Dedmon were solid in pass protection and against the run.

Kempsville scored two touchdowns on the night. The first-string defense stepped in front of a slip screen and returned the interception 15 yards for a score. Offensively, the Chiefs hit a 50-yards touchdown pass against Warhill’s second-string defense.

With a week before the season opener, Wheeler said the team has embraced his new philosophy. “We’re trying to build a team concept so that we’re all on the same page,” Wheeler said. “We’re all trying to work as one.”

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Contact me at HarveySports757@yahoo.com or @HarveySports757 via Twitter.