L.C. Bird

Coach: David Bedwell
2007 record: 8-0 Dominion, 10-1 overall
Offense: Jerry Brown, after alternating carries with Josh Castlebury (one of five starters lost) last year, will be the featured back as a senior. Returning quarterback Dontae Jefferson offers a blend of passing and running. Darryl Johnston will be a prime receiving target. Xavier Tyler (265) anchors the line. Koby Keck is accurate place kicker.
Defense: Replacing linebacker Castlebury (Defensive Player of Year) won't be easy, but seven starters return. "Speed will be the key," says Bedwell of a smallish unit. Kenyon Lewis and Anthony Harris are heralded defensive backs. Brad Conner is bruising linebacker and Keck ranks with area best punters.
Outlook: Bird, ranked fifth in area preseason, has dominated District under Bedwell and the rival coaches suggest the reign will continue. Skyhawks are always team to beat until proven otherwise.

Manchester

Coach: Tom Hall
2007 record: 6-2 Dominion, 8-2 overall
Offense: "Young!!!," says Hall of a unit missing eight starters. Qarterback Tyler Henderson returns along with running back Antonio Brown (200). As usual, Lancers have beefy line led by Deonte Wright (250), Myrick Griffin (265), Jake Goins (285) and Logan Rudd (240). Jabril Hasan and D.J. Holmes will be aerial targets.
Defense: "Will be our strength early on," Hall says. Brown can be a terror at strong safety. NFL sized tackles are John Durrett (6-5, 325) and Reggie Simms (6-4, 340). Brandon Merriman, Darryl Thompson and Marcus Jefferson form linebacking corps and Jefferson doubles as punter.
Outlook : Lancers, 51-38-1 in Hall's nine previous seasons, narrowly missed Division 6 playoffs last year and should be in the mix again, with Brown one of best on both sides of ball.

James River

Coach: Greg DeFrancesco
2007 record: 5-3 Dominion, 7-3 overall
Offense : There is competition at quarterback with Cole Ransom, Josh Wells and Cosby transfer Sean Monahan dueling. Ransom may wind up at running back. Stephon Porter and Josh Marshall are experienced receivers. Returning starters on line are Jacob Holland (250) and Ryan Powis (220).
Defense: Eight starters return, including leading tackler (124, including 25 for losses) Austin Hersh at linebacker. Jacob Schmitz is another strong backer, coming off broken leg. Porter had four interceptions last year and line is led by Seth Fultz (310) and Hervin Jones (220).
Outlook : While the other District coaches point to Bird as preseason pick, DeFranceso lists own Rapids No. 1. "If we can stay healthy, then I think we have a legitimate shot," he said.

Clover Hill

Coach: Sean O'Hare
2007 record: 3-5 Dominion, 3-7 overall
Offense: From the spread, returning quarterback Josh Bailey could be an area passing leader, as well as running threat. Running backs A.J. Clanton and freshman Joel Caleb (Bailey's brother), and receiver Chris Smith have big-play capabilities. Line includes Anthony Davis (265) and Richard Robbins (280).
Defense: : Six starters return, including the swift Smith, whom O'Hare rates as "1-AA prospect." Scott Matheney (230) is the only 200-pounder listed in lineup. "We must use our speed to overcome lack of size," says O'Hare. Zach Burkholder doubles as linebacker and place kicker.
Outlook : Cavaliers, with plenty of firepower, closed '07 strong (routing arch-rival Cosby) and there is much optimism, but a tough schedule including non-district Dinwiddie.

Huguenot

Coach: Ron Gundry
2007 record: 4-4 Dominion, 4-6 overall
Offense: Massive lineman Jonathan Crawley (6-7, 365, Sr., T) is back for his fourth year as a starter. He is joined on the line by fellow basketball player Jarius King (6-8, 285, Sr.). The rest of the line are newcomers. QB Abner Johnson (5-11, 160, Jr.) is back. RB Willie Harding (5-11, 195, So.) is a returnee. The other RB is Quinton Watson (5-7, 185, Jr.). Dorell Taylor (5-9, 172, Jr.) has experience at WR.
Defense: Four players saw playing time last year: LBs Nick Jasper (5-9, 170, Sr.) and Bryant Munford (5-10, 165, Jr.), CB Chris Williams (5-8, 155, Jr.) and S Thomas Ingram (5-11, 165, Jr.). The group as a whole lacks size. T Malik Brooks (6-2, 270, Sr.) is the largest.
Outlook: Gundry steps in for longtime Falcons' coach Richard McFee, who retired during last season. The past couple of seasons the Falcons, with a good number of returnees, have beaten the teams they are supposed to beat but have played below expectations otherwise and haven't challenged for the district title. This is a young team. Gundry is trying to mold it into a district and playoffs contender again.

Monacan

Coach: Danny Parsons
2007 record: 6-2 Dominion, 6-5 overall
Offense: RB J.C. Wiggins (5-9, 185, Sr.) car ried the ball 203 times last year for 799 yards. He'll do yeoman duty again this year. Mike Williams (6-0, 170, Jr.) takes on the QB duties. Franklin Boyd (5-8, 145, Sr.) and Garrett Patterson (6-0, 175, Sr.) are threats on the wing. Tilghman Goldsborough (6-0, 270, Sr.) is the lone returning starter on the line.
Defense: Patterson, a safety who has committed to Duke, headlines a strong secondary. Tevin Harden (5-11, 170, Sr., CB) has a knack for interceptions. Javon Moody (5-9, 165, Jr.) covers the other corner. Jay Rose (5-11, 160, Sr.) is the only LB and lineman with starting experience. Size is an issue with just two projected starters weighing more than 200 pounds.
Outlook: The Chiefs made a surprising run to the Division 5 playoffs last year behind a strong defense. Enough players from that team are back this year to make Monacan a challenger again. Development of the lines on each side of the ball a major factors for success.

Cosby

Coach: Pete Mutascio
2007 record: 3-5 Dominion, 3-7 overall
Offense : Junior tailback Terry Williams figures to contend for area rushing title and guard Nick Erdman (235) is first-rate blocker. Andre Redd offers tremendous speed to backfield. Fuller Hoepner and Bradley Shaban are competing at quarterback, with Bryce Dillon, Garrett Hicks and Joe Thomas the receivers.
Defense: With only three returning starters, linebacker/leading tackler Mike Birnbaum must have big season. Anthony Delano and Cody Blackwell are other experienced backers. Erdman and Hunter Greer return to line and Alex Paulini, Bradley Shaban and Dillon are capable safeties.
Outlook : In just their second year, Titans beat a playoff team (Hanover) and played Bird and Manchester close. Williams can be electrifying. "All skill positions are strong,' says Mutascio.

Midlothian

Coach: David Cooper
2007 record: 1-7 Dominion, 2-8 overall
Offense : : Eight starters return, including quarterback Josiah Shelton and rusher Bryce Lilly. Callen Laus (260) is three-year starter at center. Guard Matt Arkema (285) and tackles Danny Klein (265) and Adam Welch (275) form bulky, experienced line. Cooper feels he may have a rare breakaway threat in speedy tailback Mitchell Pereira.
Defense: Eight starters are back. Daniel Mullally and Neil Mulvaney return at ends and Arkema and Klein at the tackles. Lilly, Kevin Mallory, Chad Harpool and Trevon Cooper are the linebackers. Chase Delans and Jimmy Krahe are third-year starters in the secondary. Alex Godwin and Marc Padgett offer more deep-back experience.
Outlook: Cooper is 70-102 at Midlothian, but respected for squeezing most out of talent. Look for more competitive games versus upper tier and perhaps a few more victories.

George Wythe

Coach: Arrington Jones
2007 record: 0-7 Dominion, 0-10 overall
Offense: A number of players who gained experience in trying circumstances last year are back. GW scored just 80 points last season. The line is the strength with the guards and tackles averaging a whopping 301 pounds per man. Pernell Dixon (6-5, 315, Sr., T) is the ringleader. QB Mike Harrison (5-8, 180, Jr.) can look his RBs Isahiah Odom (5-6, 165, Sr.) and Kevin Smith (5-7, 160, Jr.) -- in the eye on handoffs.
Defense: Although the defense gave up 344 points, that wasn't the most in the region. The unit is laden with seniors and juniors. The line is formidable with Dixon crossing over to DT, and Xavia Williams (6-3, 230, Sr.) doing double duty at TE/DE. Harrison (S) plays both sides of the ball as well.
Outlook: The Bulldogs have lost 42 games in a row but perhaps have pulled off the coaching coup with Jones, who was hired in mid August. Jones had stellar success as head coach at Virginia Union and Virginia State. No need to expect miracles right away though. Being competitive would be a start.