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Signing Day 2.3.16

Osiris Crutchfield is getting an opportunity not too many Jefferson District players get — a chance to suit up for the University of Virginia.

 

“We’re just a 3A school in the middle of nowhere so I didn’t really think any coaches were going to roll through,” Crutchfield said. “But lo and behold it happened.”

 

The Western Albemarle defensive end is the first Jefferson District player since Orange County’s Quintin Hunter in 2009 to sign a scholarship offer from UVa football straight out of high school. After a semester at Fork Union for postgraduate football, Western alum Holland Corbett is now on the UVa roster. He’s also the first local player since Malcolm Cook came out of Fork Union’s prep program in 2013 to join the Cavaliers as a scholarship athlete after their senior year.

 

Crutchfield, who was the Scrimmage Play defensive player of the year, totaled 56.5 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks as a senior, building on a strong junior year where Crutchfield helped power the Warriors to a state semifinal berth.

 

Now Crutchfield will set his sights on trying to get on the field at UVa. That’ll start with his work off the field as he looks to transform his body to be ready to play at an ACC level.

 

“Being at the high school level, where I am right now would work most of the time, but especially in the ACC you’re going to be playing with guys that are 300 pounds plus,” Crutchfield said. “You need to be able to sculpt your body and take care of yourself in the correct way so you can be competitive.”

 

Crutchfield clearly knows what it takes at the next level. Now he gets a chance to officially go to work.

 

Five Tigers head their different ways

Every year there’s a big class of athletes signing NLI’s but usually that’s spread across a number of different sports. Five athletes from the same program? Well that’s a bit unusual. Nonetheless, Woodberry Forest had that kind of senior class in football. And the Tigers went across the spectrum — from an U.S. Army All-American Clark Yarbrough finally making it official with Stanford University to Felix Culmer scrapping his way to earn an offer from Wagner. Five different Tigers inked Division 1 deals and perhaps Zach Roderick, who signed with Campbell put it best.

 

“It’s pretty crazy,” Roderick said. “You play on the same team with these guys since your sophomore year. You grow up. You go through the same processes. A guy like Felix Culmer worked his butt off everyday to get his offer and then so did Logi Portugual to get hit. I think we all did and we all had to earn this. It’s just awesome that now all of us get to play Division 1 football.”

 

These five seniors were the core of a team that went 8-1 in 2014 and 9-1-1 in 2015. It’s the most Division 1 signings the program’s had since 2010 when the Tigers also sent five NLI’s out.

 

In Yarbrough, Stanford officially gets a four star recruit and the 22nd-ranked offensive lineman in the country that had 30 different offers but made a verbal decision back last May. Yarbrough picked the Cardinal over programs such as Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida, Lousiana State, Auburn, Clemson, Virginia and Virginia Tech just to name a few.

 

“It’s a blessing to put the pen to paper, I’ve been thinking about this for such a long time,” Yarbrough said. “It’s a blessing to be able to sign today with all my brothers.”

 

Roderick had 1,219 yards on 65 catchs and 16 TD’s, all team-highs for the Tigers. He heads to Campbell after verbally committing to play for the Fighting Camels back in September.

 

“It’s a relief to have it done because it’s been a long journey,” Roderick said. “The coaching staff, (junior quarterback) Lindell Stone and everyone did a great job of keeping me sane through the process. Getting to sign with Campbell is a blessing. I couldn’t see it working out any different way.”

 

Ryan Grady will head to West Point to play linebacker at Army. Grady led the interior of the Tigers’ defense as a senior where he ammased 118 tackles. He had 1.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries to go with 11 passes defended, a fumble recovery and three blocked field goals. The decision to play for Army is one that Grady’s been eyeing for years as his passion to play collegiate football is equaled by his desire to serve in the armed forces after his graduation from the prestigious school.

 

“They approached me this spring and I thought a lot about it and realized this was the perfect opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Grady said. “I’m excited to contribute to the school, the program but also my country as well.”

 

Felix Culmer, who earned a starting job as a defensive back this year managed to parlay his efforts into a scholarship to Wagner. He had 22 tackles, one for a loss, and three passes defended this year.

 

“I had interest from a couple of school but when I went to Wagner it just felt right — I’m originally from New York, so it was a good fit,” Wagner said. “All my family is from up there and that was a big part of the decision. Things got rolling mid-season, I started getting attention from a number of schools from Division 1, 2 and 3, but I felt at home on my visit Wagner.”

 

Last but certainly not least, Logi Portgual singed to play for Bryant. Portugual had a monster year at defensive back where he had 70 tackles, 17 passes defended, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and a recovery.

 

“Bryant gave me the full package and it also happened to be the school I thought was the best fit for me,” Portugual said. “I had some interest from other schools like Davidson but Bryant was the one that I felt was the most serious.”

 

The five signings sets the table for the class of 2017 led by quarterback Lindell Stone, receiver Terrell Jana and linebacker Joseph Stephenson (among others) to try and match or best the program record.

 

Monroe trio to stay in state

It was a significant event for the William Monroe girls soccer program — one that’s made great strides the last three years to become a significant Conference 28 and Region 3A East contender. With Rachel DeMasters signing to play for William and Mary and Juliet Karnes heading to Shenandoah University, the Dragons won’t have to venture far to keep up with two of the best athletes the girls soccer team has had in program history.

 

“It means a lot to us,” Karnes said. “From being on the team three years ago as a freshman, for it to come to this is pretty special. It’s great to see this program growing and I hope it keeps growing.”

 

DeMasters, who poured in a school record 65 goals last spring, joins a Tribe team that’s no stanger to Central Virginia soccer players. Tandem Friend’s Leci Irvin just graduated from William and Mary this spring and STAB alumnus Haley Kent just finished her sophomore season with the Tribe. The Monroe captain will join Monticello’s Hannah Keith as she too has signed to play for William and Mary.

 

“It’s such a fantastic school, I’ve been there so many times,” DeMasters said. “I love the campus, the coach, the players. They also have a great biology program. They’ve got soccer and academics. It’s all there.”

 

While DeMasters cited the Tribe’s strong academics as a primary reason for her decision, Karnes leaned towards Shenandoah because of their physical therapy program which remains a career goal for her.

 

“Not many schools have the accredited program to go into the doctorate level,” Karnes said. “I didn’t know much about the school at first, but after talking with coach (Liz Pike) I really felt comfortable. I felt like this was where I wanted to play.”

 

Karnes, who’s played both forward and defense in her time at Monroe, earned first team honors for both the Bull Run District and Conference 28.

 

The Dragons also saw Nick Hayes sign an NLI to play football for Virginia Military Institute. Hayes is one of few athletes in the area heading to play multiple sports for their school. In addition to playing football, the defending Group 3A high jump champion will get to continue his track and field career.

 

“I had a couple of schools to consider that were pursuing me for track,” Hayes said. “Ultimately I chose VMI, to stay close to home. It feels like a family over there. It’s a small school and I really liked that.”

 

Hayes played at wide receiver and tight end for the Dragons. The Keydets want Hayes playing full time at tight end, with the possibility of some snaps as an h-back. In the end though getting the opportunity to participate on both the track and football programs drew Hayes to head to Lexington.

 

“Most Division 1 schools won’t let you do that and no other school offered to let me play both,” Hayes said.

 

At 6-foot-5 with the proven ability to jump out of the gym, both Keydet programs look to benefit nicely with their new addition.

 

 

Fluvanna’s Messier inks with VMI

Maddie Messier is the third Messier sister to head to college to play sports, but she’s forging a pretty unique path for herself.

 

Messier, a senior at Fluvanna County, signed Wednesday to play women’s soccer at the Virginia Military Institute.

“I love a challenge and I can’t think of anything more challenging than going to a military school and playing Division I soccer,” Messier said. “The coaches are great, the academics are great, I really fell in love with everything there.”

Her oldest sister Michelle ran at Sweet Briar while the middle Messier, Melissa, recently wrapped up her women’s soccer career at Campbell University. Maddie, who is still recovering from her second ACL tear and should be cleared at some point this spring, will suit up for the Keydets this fall. Ironically, it was at VMI where she suffered that second injury.

 

“I wasn’t sure about the school (after getting injured there),” Messier said. “But I went on my official and everyone just seemed so close-knit. It was just a big family.”

Messier was a first team All-Jefferson District pick at forward as a junior and as a sophomore.

 

Buckingham duo signs

Buckingham County football’s Michael Mabry put together a tremendous career for the Knights, a major cog in what’s been a terrific run for Buckingham. Now he’ll get a chance to contribute at the next level as Mabry heads to James Madison this fall.

 

Mabry signed today as part of newly minted head coach Mike Houston’s first recruiting class.

Mabry had 41 tackles, six tackles for a loss and two sacks this year as teams did everything in their power to avoid running at the Knights’ star defensive lineman.

 

Mabry wasn’t the only one to finalize his college football plans today for the Knights. Leon Ragland, the Knights’ superstar quarterback/running back/defensive back who rushed for 2,204 yards and 43 touchdowns this season is headed to Fairmont State.

 

More signings

Goochland football’s Akia Timberlake signed today to play at Virginia Union, a Division II program. Timberlake, a second team All-SP selection on the defensive line, was also a first team All-State pick in Group 2A

 

Fork Union standout Josh Nevers is listed as part of the recruiting class at Division II Fairmont State. Nevers piled up 41 tackles and had 11 TFLs against the Blue Devils’ stout schedule this fall.

 

Albemarle football’s Nehemiah Lesesane is headed to Averett University to play football. Lesesane was a first team All-SP selection and has been anchor up front for the Patriots for several years.

 

 

 

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