Armstrong FB preview

by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com

Few things make a football coach smile more than having a ton of productive upperclassmen returning.

That’s the case with Armstrong and coach Mark Robinson.

“This is our best group of returning upperclassmen in some time,” Robinson said. “We only lost five seniors last year. But Mikell Thornton will be hard to replace.”

Thornton’s powerful tackling at middle linebacker and hard-nosed running will certainly be missed.

But all of Robinson’s other impact players are back to make a splash and give the Wildcats better than last season’s 2-8 mark.

Mark Robinson, the coach’s son, returns at QB. He’s only a junior.

His top target will be second-team all-Capital District pick Tyee Williams. His athleticism and speed are unrivaled by most, and he’s also a junior.

Terrell Fowler will fill Thornton’s role as top linebacker and power runner, setting the tone for the Wildcats.

“We all have pretty good chemistry. We hang out together,” Fowler, a senior, said. “Us being young, that was a good learning experience for us last year.”

DeAngelo Wilson is another key returner. Look out for him on both lines, at tight end offensively and defensive end.

“These are some of the guys we are looking for leadership from and improved play. The numbers have been improving,” said Robinson, who usually gets around 30-35 players but has over 40 this season. “We’re still missing some spots. We’d like to put 11 on offense and 11 others on defense, but you’ve got to put your best out there.”

One of the best has come to Wildcat land. That’s Matthew Liggans, longtime offensive coordinator at Huguenot with coach Richard McFee.

“The kids are adjusting well offensively,” Robinson said. “We want to attack offensively and defensively.

“We’re excited about the season. We scrimmage next week so we’ll see where we are.”

2007 record: 0-7 Capital District, 2-8 Overall

2008
schedule                       2007 result
(all games at
7:30 p.m., unless noted)
Aug. 28, vs. J. Marshall, 4 p.m. L, 6-38
Sept. 5, at T. Jefferson, 4         W, 18-12
Sept. 12, vs. Benedictine, 4:30 L, 8-13
Sept. 19, at C. Heights            W, 27-6
Sept. 26,
at Lee-Davis              L, 0-12
Oct. 3, at Hanover
L, 6-18
Oct. 10, vs. H. Springs, 5         L, 8-46
Oct. 17, at Varina        L, 8-42
Oct. 24, at Henrico                L, 15-20
Oct. 31, vs. Atlee, 5               L, 26-27

Big games: John Marshall. Two seasons ago the Wildcats nipped JM at home and went on to a 5-5 season, the best it had seen in a long while. Last year the Justices were victorious and Armstrong’s win total dropped by three. Getting off to a good start will do wonders.

Key players: Terrell Fowler, LB/RB, Sr.; Tyee Williams, WR/KR/DB, Jr.; DeAngelo Wilson, DE/TE, Sr.; Zach Benjamin, WR, Sr.; Mark Robinson, QB, Jr.; Taurus Winston, WR, Sr..

Key losses: Mikell Thorton, LB (Virginia State, will sit out this season. Should be eligible in 2009).

Top newcomers: Matthew Liggans, offensive coordinator. Liggins’ offenses have been potent for years. Armstrong has talented backs and receivers to fill in appropriately.

The skinny: The skill players are in place. If Robinson at QB can continue to progress, and both the offensive and defensive lines reach their potential, Armstrong could go back to or surpass what they did in 2006.