Do Springers and Devils fall this year?
Published: September 01, 2009
By Charlie Leffler
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Over the course of recent history, the football teams at Highland Springs and Varina have established themselves as an almost mythical presence in the Capital District. Though sometimes pushed, they always seem to prevail against all comers and appear invulnerable to defeat.
“Until some team comes in and knocks them off they’re going to be at the top and everyone else will be at the bottom,” said Hanover’s Coach Joshua Just.
Lee-Davis head coach Jason Meade concurred. “Nobody’s been able to knock them off yet,” he said. “I would have to agree that they have the mythical identity in a lot of minds.”
But saying such, is this the year that one of the Hanover County teams takes out a proverbial Goliath to end the era of dominance?
Among local coaches the factor that has most prevented Atlee, Hanover or Lee-Davis from unplugging one of the powerhouses has largely resided in their players’ mentality coming into those big games.
Last season two local teams came close but could not come away with victory.
Hanover was deadlocked with the Springers before a late game collapse led to a 19-10 loss. The Hawks were also within striking distance of knocking of Varina before falling 14-9.
Lee-Davis led at Varina late in the game, but the Blue Devils pulled out the win 21-13. Against Highland Springs the C-feds spotted the Springers 21 points in the opening minutes then played them nearly even over the remainder of the game.
For Meade, Lee-Davis’ inability to pull out the wins was in part due to the fact that the players did not believe they could defeat the mythical giants; an aspect he’s concentrated on this season.
“Within these walls, within this office, with our hearts we understand that we can play with them,” Meade said. “We played with Varina last year and besides spotting Highland Springs 21 points, we played with them once we settled down. We’ve got to get over the hump and understand that we are a very good football team.”
Such could also hold true for Hanover, where the Hawks have proven they can fly with the best by reaching back to back Division 5 Central Region championship games. But when it comes to taking out the powers in the Capital District they’ve come up short.
However, attitudes are changing among local players thanks to a continued emphasis by coaches that the Hanover County teams do have the talent it takes to win over the mythical monsters.
“They’re buying into it,” Meade said of his players. “They are believing in what we’re saying. It’s not a song and dance. There’s truth there. We’re not trying to sell them on something that we’re not. We’ve got the ability.”
The players on local teams need to no longer think of themselves as David versus Goliath but more along the lines of Goliath versus Goliath.
So, will this be the year that a Hanover County football team takes out Highland Springs or Varina? Yes, I do believe it will happen. One, if not both of the supposedly invulnerable teams will fall to the likes of Atlee, Hanover or Lee-Davis.
And one thing I will guarantee. When that victory comes, it will be mythical in proportion.
