A.J.s Take

Hanover’s 52-27 victory over the Henrico Warriors Friday night at Hanover high school was much more than another sound victory for the undefeated Hawks. With the victory, Hanover sealed its first Capital District Championship in the schools seven year history. In the last seven years Hanover has suffered through 1-9 seasons and built itself into a perennial power in the Central Region capturing regional championships and competing in the state tournaments. But on Friday night the Hawks cleared a hurdle that had previously been out of their reach thanks to the successes of Division-6 Capital District programs Varina and Highland Springs. Hanover used the recipe for success as they have through the entire season thus far, solid running and the dual threat of senior halfback Deane Cheatham and sophomore quarter back Sam Rodgers. Cheatham would rush 26 times for 234 yards and Rodgers contributed 167 yards on the ground himself including a game changing 80-yard run with the Hawks do...

Since opening their doors in 2003, the Hanover Hawks had played the Highland Springs Springers seven times entering Friday’s contest at Highland Springs High School, and seven times the Hawks had come up empty. That is, until this past Friday night. This time would be different, as Hanover rode a defense that couldn't be pushed around up front and ran step for step with the Springers’ speed on the outside with an offense that wore down the Springer defense on the ground en route to a 28-7 victory. Defense ruled most of the first quarter as the two squads spent time feeling each other out. Highland Springs gave no second thought to the Hawks aerial attack on the first three Hanover drives, making a conscious effort to stop running back Deane Cheatham and quarterback Sam Rodgers on the ground. The Hawks finally created some space at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter after Rodgers connected with Blake Underdown for a 19-yard pass. Cheatham would take the next play for five y...

The Hanover Hawks opened their home schedule by scoring early and often in a 49-0 defeat of the Deep Run Wildcats Friday night at Hanover High School. The Hawks, who improved to 3-0 on the young season and boast number three ranking in the Times Dispatch regional poll (the top ranking for any Division-5 school), scored on their first punt return and then first offensive play of the game. Deane Cheatham followed a Deep Run three and out with a 52-yard punt return and, following a second three and out from the Wildcats, Sam Rogers connected with Kenny Morris for a 47-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-0 before some had even taken their seats. The touchdown pass was the first of what would be four on the night for Rogers. The sophomore quarterback was a perfect 11-11 for 212 yards. Rogers would toss his second touchdown pass before the opening quarter ended when he connected with Blake Underdown on a 29-yard scoring strike. Underdown ended the game with four catches for 94...

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and on Friday night Hanover delivered a healthy portion of it to the JR Tucker Tigers. Hanover avenged last year’s surprising defeat at the hands of the Tigers by posting 37 unanswered points in route to a 37-7 convincing victory Friday night at JR Tucker high school. Since last year, when Hanover coughed up a lead to the Tigers in the second half and lost 34-24, this year's date was circled on the calendar as a chance for remption. Tucker’s defense held tough early on in the contest, keeping Hanover off the scoreboard in the first quarter, however the Hawks began to impose there will in the second quarter thanks to running back Deane Cheatham and quarterback Sam Rogers. The duo formed a two-headed monster in the run game that Tucker proved unable to stop. Cheatham had two touchdowns and both he and Rogers ran for close to 100 yards in the second quarter, including a 52-yard run by Rogers. Hanover broke through on the scoreboard early in the seco...

The Atlee Raiders kicked off the 2010 high school campaign for Hanover County schools with a decisive victory over the Benedictine Cadets 42-7 Friday night at Atlee high school. Senior Trevor Elie, one of the 15 returning seniors for the Atlee Raiders led the charge with 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Raiders, who have been grooming young talent for the past two years come into this season with veterans at most of the leading skill positions including quarterback with senior Drew Ferguson, Josh Doggett at middle linebacker and Elie at running back. The veteran presence showed in the early season tilt as Atlee’s defense took advantage of Cadet mistakes on offense and cashed them in all night. Atlee forced the first Benedictine mistake on the Cadets’ second drive of the game as a running back fumble was picked up by junior Thomas Pulisic and returned 6 yards for the opening score of the game. Benedictine would strike back on their next drive. After a Desean Well...

Last week the Los Angeles Angels won the A.L. West division title and, as all teams do, celebrated the accomplishment with a champagne and beer party in the locker room following the game. During the celebration the Angels’ players took time on multiple occasions to honor Nick Adenhart who would have been a member of the team had he not been killed in a car accident with a drunk driver earlier this year. The team went out to centerfield to honor the mural of him on the outfield wall and, later, rallied around his jersey giving showering it in victory beer, just as they all were. The latter of the two received some criticism from the media for being offensive and lacking good judgment. The question is why? Granted, the situation drips with irony (pun intended). But is it any more ironic then celebrating a fallen soldier who was shot in battle with a 21 gun salute? How about a pitcher who can almost be killed if a ball were to come back and hit him in the head, but can ...