Highland Springs

Coach: Loren Johnson
2007 record: 6-0 Capital, 10-1 overall
Offense: The highest scoring offense in the region last season is rebuilding this year, especially in the skill positions. Wayne Pugh (6-2, 200, Jr.) is the QB. Montrell Garrison, John Saunders and Clarence Smith will share RB duties. WR Melquan Weston (6-1, 165, Sr.) is a returnee. The line has some experience with Derrick Hopkins (6-1, 310, Jr.) and Alexander Mosley (6-1, 250, So.) as the anchors.
Defense: The region's second stingiest defense (allowed 117 points) returns nearly intact. It's strong and speedy. DT Hopkins is drawing plenty of recruiting attention. DE Dennis Washington (5-10, 202, Sr.) can harry an opposing QB. Clinton Patterson (5-11, 180, Sr.) is a wily veteran patrolling the secondary with Delante Rowe (6-4, 180, Sr.).
Outlook: The Springers lost one game by one point at the wrong time last season. First-year coach Johnson has inherited a playoff contender that will rely on the defense while the offense discovers itself. The season-opener comes against state runner-up Woodbridge. The match-up with Varina in the regular-season finale is likely to be for the district title and playoff berth again.

Varina

Coach: Stu Brown
2007 record: 5-1 Capital, 7-3 overall
Offense: The Blue Devils will work out of a power spread formation with first-time starting QB Hermon Norrell (5-9, 170, Jr.) at the helm. He can throw to experienced WRs Bobby Smith (6-5, 195, Sr.) and Quvaughn Jones (6-1, 194, So.) or handoff to RB Trey Johnson (5-10, 170, Jr.), who ran well last year. Guard Sakori Wilson (6-0, 260, Sr.) anchors a line that averages 266 pounds per man. Returnee Marquis Wallace (6-4, 298, Jr., T ) is the biggest of the bunch.
Defense: T DeAntre Rhodes (6-4, 290, Sr.), one of the region's best prospects, is the key player. LB T.K. Hester (5-9, 170, Sr.) is aggressive and physical. Safety Nick Taylor (5-8, 165, Jr.) is a three-year starter.
Outlook: The Blue Devils lost more than usual last year and failed to make the playoffs. Head coach Gary Chilcoat retired. Brown, who used to be on Chilcoat's staff, returns as a first-time head coach. Expect the Blue Devils to have ups and downs. The nondistrict schedule of GW-Danville, Matoaca, Thomas Dale and Hermitage is a bear. Then, there is Highland Springs at the end. More than likely that game will determine if Varina is a playoff team.

Hanover

Coach: Joshua Just
2007 record: 4-2 Capital, 8-3 overall
Offense: QB Josh Wells (6-5, 225, Sr.) is guiding the Hawks for the fourth year. He's a running threat but inconsistent as a passer (more than 1,000 yards, more interceptions than TD passes). RB Jayquan Kates (5-9, 170, Sr.) will get more carries after sharing duties the past two seasons. TE Karlton Davis (6-2, 200, Sr.) is a big target for Wells. John Bell (285, Sr., G), Kyle Williams (250, Sr., T) and Luke Herndon (230, Sr., C) provide experience on the line. PK Rachael Moore is a field-goal scoring threat.
Defense: LB Kenny Fryman (5-9, 210, Sr.), an all-state pick last year, is the heart and soul of a unit that has depth. He has able help from LB Aaron Gary (5-10, 200, Sr.), a pair of junior tackles, Blake Jones (5-11, 195) and Matt Pocta (6-0, 200) and returning DE Josh Pritchett (5-11, 195, Sr.) and DBs Steven Fogleman (6-0, 200, Sr., S) and Bryson Kemler (5-0, 160, Sr., CB). Fogleman is a good punter, too.
Outlook: The Hawks are the reigning Central Region, Division 5 champions. They showed a lot of grit in winning the title last year, and some key players graduated. The winning attitude that took hold last season and the returning players should make Hanover a contender to reach the playoffs and have the opportunity to defend its crown.

Lee-Davis

Coach: Jason Meade
2007 records 2-4 Capital, 2-8 overall
Offense: Will Burton (6-4, 200, Sr.) and Phil Gardner (6-1, 194, Jr.) could share the QB role. Dustin Robbins looked to be the TE, but he's injured. Tackles Jake Brent (6-5, 301, Sr.) and Brad Jones (6-1, 248, Sr.) are seniors with experience. They can open holes for Tucker Walton (5-8, 196, Jr., who is capable of producing some big numbers at RB.
Defense: Giving up fewer points is a necessity for improvement. Will Connerley (6-0, 181, Jr., FS) is a standout in the secondary along with Brandon Angus. Tyler Craig (5-9, 238, Jr.) anchors the line while John Alexander (5-9, 190, Jr.) spearheads the linebacking corps.
Outlook: The Confederates are looking to re-establish themselves as playoff contenders. First-year coach Meade has grown up in the district (Varina grad, Highland Springs assistant) and knows it well. He's given everything at L-D a fresh new look as a starting point. L-D may be a year away.

Henrico

Coach: Roger Brookes
2007 record: 2-4 Capital, 4-6 overall
Offense: Mighty mites in the backfield and three large lineman are five of the six returning players. The running backs are Dequan Parrish (5-5, 155, Sr.) and RaQuaan Smith (5-6, 150, Sr.). They can hide behind guard Raquan Miffin (6-1, 264, Sr.) and tackles Oliver White (6-2, 302, Sr.), a Division I prospect, and Derron Winston (6-2, 315, Sr.). The line as a whole has good speed. QB Kevin Otey (6-1, 190, Jr.) has size but is inexperienced and untested. He can throw to returning WR Daquan Martin.
Defense: Only three starters are back on an undersized group that will rely on speed and an aggressive approach. The biggest player is tackle Glenn Scott (6-0, 230). Only four players weigh more than 200 pounds. Alex Greene (5-10, 195, Sr.) is one of the ends. Matt Price (5-11, 205, Sr.) and Salahuddin Fox (5-11, 224, Jr.) hold down two LB posts. Martin doubles as a defensive back.
Outlook: Success came often for Brookes (257 career victories) during his 35 years at Group A King William. Meanwhile, Henrico, with some good athletes, has underachieved too often in recent seasons. Brookes has set about instilling a winning attitude and stronger work ethic. The Warriors have at least four top 10 teams on the schedule. Finishing .500 would be a good step forward.

Atlee

Coach: Roscoe Johnson
2007 record: 2-4 Capital, 3-7 overall
Offense: Seven starters return from a year ago. QB Dylan Garthright (6-1, 170, Jr.) has an experienced pair of receivers in Jaired Epps (5-10, 165, Sr.) and Josh Ward (5-9, 155, Sr.). RB Trevor Elie isn't very big (5-6, 150, So.). John Henley (6-3, 265, Sr., C), Kyle Willemin (6-0, 230, Jr., G) and Tyler White (6-2, 265, Sr.) are veterans on the line.
Defense: The Raiders have six starters returning. Epps (CB) plays both sides of the ball. NG James Anderson (6-2, 265, Sr.) is the unit's largest player. The tackles, Craig Scott and Lee Peay, are 170 and 140 pounds respectively. LB Josh Doggett (6-0, 190, So.) had a major impact as a freshman. Adam Murphy (6-0, 165, Jr.) joins Epps as a returnee in the secondary.
Outlook: The Raiders were shut out three of their first four games last year but came on to go 3-3 the rest of the way for Johnson in his first year. Consistency on offense could help, but the defense must show improvement (gave up 335 points) in order to give the win column a boost.

Armstrong

Coach: Mark Robinson
2007 record: 0-6 Capital, 2-8 overall
Offense: T he Wildcats have players in the skill positions returning, but the line is new except for junior tackle Suliaman Fareed (6-0, 270). The coach's son, Mark Jr. (6-3, 185, Sr.), is back for his second season at QB. He threw for 664 yards and five TDs (12 interceptions) last season. RB Terrell Fowler (6-1, 185, Sr.), WR Tyee Williams (6-2, 180, Jr.) and TE DeAngelo Wilson (6-2, 180, Sr.) have the experience. The line, though young, averages 252 pounds per man.
Defense: Passing on the Wildcats means playing to their strength. Both CBs, Vaughan Jones (5-7, 175, Sr.) and Randi Thornton (5-7, 170, Sr.), and Williams at safety are returning starters. Wilson (DE), Fareed (T) and Fowler (LB) are among eight two-way players.
Outlook: Depth is an issue for the Wildcats considering the number of projected two-way players. The offense needs to produce more than the 122 points it got last year. Outside the district, the Wildcats should be competitive. Showing better in the district will be difficult.