Week One: Hanover 49, Patrick Henry 21

The defending Division 5 Regional Champions are back for more.

Deane Cheatham rushed for over 100 yards in the first half alone, and the Hanover Hawks took advantage of an inexperienced, overmatched Patrick Henry defense to cruise to an opening night 49-21 win over the Patriots, ruining the head coaching debut of Sam Hart.

Hanover scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, all coming on the ground. The lone PH score of the first half was also on the ground, thanks to a 45-yard TD run by fullback Josh Thomas, cutting the deficit at the time to 14-7. It was 35-7 by halftime.

Jay Waller opened his second season at quarterback with no interceptions, a touchdown pass in the second half, but also overthrew several open receivers. Hanover QB Sam Rogers, starting his second season and only a sophomore, didn't need to rely on the passing game, completing 3 of 6 passes for 52 yards.

There are many people who believe Hanover, winners of two of the past three Division 5 Regional Titles, may finally win the Capital District title, something they've never done, thanks to Varina and Highland Springs. After seeing them tonight, I share in that sentiment. If the offensive line and linebacking play of Hanover continues to improve on their impressive opening night performances, the Hawks will be a tough match for anyone in the Central Region.

Hanover now leads the overall series with Patrick Henry 5-4, winning their last five straight against the Patriots. PH has not won on opening night since a win over Hanover in 2006.

Patrick Henry must now regroup, especially on both the offensive and defensive lines, and get ready for a rough road test against another county team with Division 5 playoff hopes, the Atlee Raiders.

Listen for all the action next Friday, 9/17, at 6:30pm, on WHAN, 1430!

WEEK ONE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Armstrong at Thomas Jefferson, 4 p.m.

Collegiate at Trinity Episcopal, 4 (on WHAN-AM 1430 at 3:45pm)

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot at North Cross, 4:30
Atlee at Deep Run, 7

Hanover at Patrick Henry, 7 (on WHAN-AM 1430 at 6:30pm)

Caroline at Henrico, 7
Highland Springs at Meadowbrook, 7
Hermitage at Lee-Davis, 7
Dinwiddie at Varina, 7
James River at Douglas Freeman, 7
Mills Godwin at Monacan, 7
Woodberry Forest at J.R. Tucker, 7
New Kent at King William, 7
Goochland at Amelia Co., 7
West Point at Northampton, 7
Thomas Dale at Manchester, 7:30
Hopewell at Cosby, 7:30
Matoaca at L.C. Bird, 7:30
Prince George at Clover Hill, 7:30
Huguenot at Monticello, 7:30
Powhatan at Midlothian, 7:30
Louisa at Spotsylvania, 7:30

SATURDAY

Jamestown at John Marshall, 1 p.m.
St. Stephen's/St. Agnes at St. Christopher's, 1
Benedictine at Bishop Ireton, 2

Some Week 4 Finals.......

Highland Springs 13, Hanover 7
Hermitage 20, Deep Run 14 in OT
Matoaca 46, Prince George 0
Thomas Dale 34, Petersburg 14

Still waiting to hear on PH/TJ......

Lee-Davis Wins 50th Tomato Bowl

Click on the title of this entry to read the thoughts of Lee Davis Head Coach Jason Meade on the fourth down resilency of the Confederates and how it was key in winning their first Tomato Bowl since 2004.

The win "returns the favor", spoiling the Patriots' 50th Anniversary Celebration, just as Patrick Henry did one year earlier at Lee Davis' 50th, winning in Mechanicsville, 14-13.

This marks Patrick Henry's first 0-3 start in 20 years and the first time since Hanover High opened in 2003 that the Patriots lost to all three county school rivals in the same season.

Patrick Henry/Hanover Podcast Available!

The podcast is available! Look just above this blog post to listen or download. We lost recording connectivity about halfway through the 4th quarter, with the game well in hand for Hanover. We'll get the kinks worked out for you in time for the Atlee game next week! :)

Hanover Hawks Preview from DigitalSports.com

Click on the title link for a full report from our friend Stephen Lewis at DigitalSports.com on the 2009 Hanover Hawks!

Hanover Hawks have first-ever D-1 signee!!

Click on the title to learn about Blake Jones, and where the Hanover senior will be playing on Saturdays starting in the fall of 2010!

From DigitalSports.com: Deep Run Survives Hanover

Hermitage is no longer the clear-cut favorite to win the Colonial District. This is a must-read for all Colonial District fans and anyone following Hanover's quest to repeat as Division 5 Regional Champions!

Another great game from Friday night!

Week Three Football Schedule

49TH TOMATO BOWL----PATRICK HENRY AT LEE-DAVIS (L-D's 50th Anniversary Event)

OTHER COUNTY TEAMS (in italics):

Douglas Freeman at Atlee
Deep Run at Hanover

OTHER COLONIAL DISTRICT TEAMS (in bold):

Henrico at J.R. Tucker
Mills Godwin at Highland Springs
Hermitage at Varina
Thomas Jefferson at Caroline
(John Marshall is idle this week....)

OTHER GAMES:

Armstrong at Colonial Heights
Hopewell at Brunswick
GW-Danville at Matoaca
Prince George at Monacan
L.C. Bird at Manchester
Huguenot at Clover Hill
James River at Cosby
George Wythe at Midlothian
Monticello at Powhatan
Prince Edward at Goochland
Windsor at King William, 7
St. Anne's Belfield at Trinity Episcopal, 4:15
Portsmouth Christian at Central Va. Disciples, 7
Greenbrier Christian at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot
St. Christopher's at Norfolk Academy, 4:30

all Friday games at 7:30 unless otherwise noted

SATURDAY GAMES

Benedictine at Christchurch, 1 p.m.
Collegiate at St. Alban's, 2
New Kent at Warhill