A.J.s Take

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...