On a beautiful, warm March afternoon, with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s, top teams from central and southern Virginia met at picturesque Walsingham Academy for the first track meet of the year. Broadwater, building on previous successes, established Coach Hack’s team as a force to be reckoned with. Major Morgan, once again dominant for the varsity boys, finished first in the high jump and 3rd overall in the long jump. Broadwater discus throwers were on fire, as Kevin Prettyman came in 2nd, with Bodie Arvidson and Hayden Mabalot finishing 5th and 6th. Robbie Parker, in a tactically beautiful race, claimed 3rd in the grueling 3200 meter. Sawyer Coulbourne captured 1st in the boys 800 and 1600. Adam Buell rocked a 5th with a very smooth and well thought out race in the 800 meter. Robby Parker took 2nd in a gutsy 1600 performance. Chris Locklear and Gunner Gustafson captured 1st in the JV boys 110 and 300 meter hurdles, respectively. Gustafson also garnered 1st in the JV boys triple jump. Finn Kelly took no quarter, finishing first in the JV boys long jump.
Northampton Parks and Rec Spring Soccer: Register Now
Northampton County Parks and Recreation Spring Soccer registration is now. The league has three divisions:
PEE WEE LEAGUE: 5-8
MINOR LEAGUE: 10-12
JUNIOR LEAGUE: 13-15
The season is set to begin April 2nd.
Registration Deadline is March 25th
Registration Fees are $35 per player
Spring Soccer is managed through Parks and Recreation and the season kicks off on April 2nd. Games are held at Indian Town Park in Eastville. For registration details call, 757-678-0468 or email parks@co.northampton.va.us.
THE LEAGUE STILL NEEDS COACHES, SO IF YOU CAN MANAGE A SQUAD CONTACT PARKS AND REC AT: 757-678-0468 or email parks@co.northampton.va.us.
New Years Sport Updates: Wrestling clubs and Preschool Sports
Wrestling at Northampton
The Northampton Wrestling Club will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 12, 2016. Grades 1 to 3 will meet from 6 to 7 p.m.; grades 4 and up will meet from 7 to
8 p.m. Registration and payment can be made at northamptonwrestlingva.com Each participant must go online and purchase an USA wrestling card. Contact Coach Matt Evans for questions
at 757-710-9433. The cost of the club is $30 per participant.
YMCA Preschool Sports
The YMCA will offer preschool basketball,hockey, soccer and T-ball.Practices will be held at the YMCAon Mondays at 5:15 p.m. Preschool
sports are for kids aged 3-6.The cost is $35 for members and $45for prospective members. Sign up forall four sports and get one free. Call theY for more information at 787-5601.
Wrestling at YMCA
The YMCA Youth Wrestling Club will start Jan. 11.Practices will be held at NanduaHigh School on Mondays at 6 p.m. The cost is $30/participant.No wrestling experience is needed
as emphasis will be on techniques, offensiveand defensive tactics, rules ofthe game and fun. Call the Y for more information at 787-5601.
FOOTBALL: Broadwater loses to Isle of Wight 47 – 18
On a cold and blustery night in Isle of Wight, on a wet and muddy field, the season ended for a Broadwater football team that, over the course of a long season, was defined by speed, tenacity, grit and many times, just pure heart. Despite what can only be considered a great year, the Chargers of Isle of Wight Academy proved to be just a little too much for the Broadwater squad. The final score was Isle of Wight 47, Broadwater 18. The score, however, was not indicative of the game, which was much more contested. In the end, it was just a few plays, and the Charger’s power running behind Will Morningstar, and the clutch passing of Bryce Casey that made the difference.
Chistine Brady: Anatomy of a Gridiron Win
The Mirror is very excited to publish’cub reporter’ Christine Brady’s photo essay on last Saturday’s Broadwater – Fuqua football game. Ms. Brady is a student at BA, where she enjoys writing and photography. Moving forward, we hope to publish more of Christine’s work, both her written reports, as well as her photography. We also hope to have reports from other students in the County.
FOOTBALL: Broadwater defeats Fuqua to secure playoff berth
The Broadwater Vikings, on what can only called a day of throwback, old school Virginia High School football, defeated a tough and talented Fuqua Falcon squad 33-27 to land a coveted spot in the Metro Conference state championship. On a dreary, rainy Saturday, each team fought to the final whistle. In a game marked by sharp, clean hitting, talented running, and solid special teams play, in the end it was the superb performances by the Major twins, Tyler and Taylor, that proved to be the difference. William French of Fuqua also left nothing on the field, putting on a clinic in what it means to be a tough running back; it sometimes took five or six Vikings to stop French, who on several occasions switched gears into ‘Beast Mode’.
FOOTBALL: Broadwater thumps Kenston Forest to keep playoff hopes alive
The Broadwater Academy Vikings traveled to Blackstone, Virginia Friday, defeating the Kentston Forest 44 – 24 to keep their conference playoff hopes alive. With a stunning running attack and tight defense, Broadwater jumped on Kentson Forest quickly, taking an early 21 -0 lead, mainly behind the power running of the Major twins. Austin Murphy, behind the super blocking of Liam Kelly, was able to stand in the pocket and pick apart the defense. At the end of the first half, Broadwater held a 44 – 0 lead.
With a commanding lead, Coach Palmer was able to play much of the freshman squad for a good part of the second half. Even after giving up some scores, the young Vikings gained some very good experience, including an interception and fumble recovery.
FOOTBALL: Broadwater hammers Portsmouth Christian 36-14; Jackets lose squeaker to Ponies
The Broadwater Vikings rolled past the Portsmouth Christian Patriots 36- 14 for a Homecoming victory. Once again, the Viking offense rolled with a powerful running attack, as well as a dynamic passing game. On this crisp, beautiful Saturday, it was dominating line play on both sides of the ball that was the deciding factor. Special teams were also solid.
Broadwater started shaky, fumbling the ball away to the Patriots inside their own thirty on the first possession. The Viking came up big however, and stopped the Portsmouth Christian drive, taking over on downs inside the twenty-five yard line. The next two possessions led to Broadwater touchdowns, and the Vikings never looked back.
It was Homecoming, and with the score 36 – 0, coach Palmer began substituting his younger players. The defense, comprised of mainly freshman, fought hard but gave up a touchdown, making the score 36 – 7. Bringing in his young squad for the offense, the young Vikings got a decisive first down, but it was called back due to an illegal motion penalty. After giving the ball over on downs, Portsmouth Christian’s starters were driving once again on the young Broadwater squad. Portsmouth Christian was able to score on a long run, but not until after a strong effort by Nathan Crumb to hold the runner while Joey Creed delivered a brutal hit just at the goal line.
The Vikings travel all the way to Blackstone next week to face Kentson Forest. This is a must win for Broadwater if they wish to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Northampton Yellowjackets lost a squeaker to the neutral conference rival Chincoteague Pones, 34-28. The Jackets continue to show surprising growth, especially on offense with an impressive, grinding rushing attack. Despite a long, 80 yard run in the third quarter by Northampton, the Ponies were able to hold on for the victory. The Jackets travel to Quantico next week for a non-conference game @6pm.
FOOTBALL: Broadwater dismantled by Isle of Wight 60-26
Despite being able to hang tough with a physically superior Isle of Wight team through most of the first half, the speed,strength and execution of the Warrior squad proved to be too much for the Vikings. Thing looked promising as the Vikings marched down the field and scored a tying touchdown with under two minutes left in the first half, but when Isle of Wight took the ball and scored with only few seconds left, extending the lead to 32 -26, that seemed to take all the wind out of Broadwater’s sails.
Isle of Wight scored on the first drive of the second half and never looked back. Down 42 – 26 late in the third quarter, the Vikings drove to the Isle of Wight seven yard line, but after three incompletions, and then a missed field goal, the fate of the game was sealed. Despite what appeared to be a lopsided score, Broadwater Academy fought hard until the final whistle.
Once again, the Viking offense has proven it can score points with a powerful ground game and fluid passing attack, however, pass defense has been the achilles heel, and has just given up to many chunk plays to recover from.
Broadwater hosts Portsmouth Christian next week for their homecoming, 1:00 at Bynum Field.
In other local action, the Northampton Yellow Jackets lost a non-conference game to the Middlesex Chargers of 57-27.
The Yellow Jackets host the Chincoteague Ponies next Friday at 7:00.
CAPE CHARLES FISHING REPORT: Rockfish season is upon us
Striped bass season started up in the Chesapeake Bay on October 4th. Have no reports, but he CBBT should start seeing some smaller, school stripers after dark.
NOTE THE REGS: Anglers can keep two fish per person ranging from 20 to 28-inches, and one of the two fish may exceed 28-inches. This will stand until the regulations change again in December.
Spot action up slightly this week, with still some rough surf, it has been mainly at the piers across the bridge.
Sheepshead are still reported along CCBT, as well as some triggerfish in these same areas. Tautog appears to be gearing up for the fall.
Speckled trout is still slow, but are still reported at the lower Bay.
Flounders are being reported off Kiptopeke. The wrecks are also report nice flatties.