With football ending in Central Virginia last week after a year of strong statistical performances, we dug into the archives and updated the Scrimmage Play area football record book that we first released back in 2013. We’ve fleshed out a few more lists, did some more research and got some great contributions from folks throughout the community.
So here’s a look inside where some of this year’s seniors (and one big-time junior) measure up after 2015.
As a note, touchdown responsibility is a VHSL metric that combines passing touchdowns and scored touchdowns (return, receiving, rushing)
Leon Ragland, Buckingham
Leon Ragland’s productive career at Buckingham came to a close this season, and after four years and at least two different positions (he shifted to running back this year after playing quarterback the last two seasons), Ragland is fourth all-time in the area in rushing. His 5,208 career rushing yards rank him behind all-time leader Takeem Hedgeman of Monticello (6,383 yards), fellow Buckingham product John Perkins (5,384 yards) and Raymond Kirkley of Madison (5,331 yards).
It puts Ragland ahead of such illustrious names as Terrell Mulford of CHS, Buckingham’s Kenneth “Peanut” Johnson, Covenant’s Luke Heinsohn, former Fork Union back and Michigan standout Chris Perry and a slew of other big-time rushers.
Ragland is also No. 5 all-time in career total offense with 6,157 yards, with a handful of receiving yards and nearly 1,000 passing yards during his two years at quarterback combining with his rushing total.
That puts Ragland behind Byers, Orange legend Bradley Starks, Henry and Monticello’s ultra-productive running back from 2003-2007 Takeem Hedgeman in total yards.
Ragland’s 41 touchdowns scored this season earn him the No. 2 spot behind Hedgeman’s perhaps unbreakable 51 touchdowns scored, which remains the top mark in VHSL history. He’s also fourth all-time in season touchdown responsibility.
His 88 career touchdown responsibility number ties him with Hedgeman at third-place all-time behind Henry and Byers.
Sam Hearn, Western Albemarle
Sam Hearn started just two years for Western Albemarle but he did a whole lot of damage in that short time. Hearn’s 3,860 career passing yards ranks 14th all-time, just behind Monticello’s three-year starter and current William and Mary quarterback Jhalil Mosley. That makes Hearn third all-time at Western behind Kent Henry (5,988 passing yards_ and Mark Jordan (5,284 passing yards). Blue Ridge’s Chad Byers remains the area’s all-time passing leader with 6,472 yards.
Hearn is also No. 7 all-time in career total offense, two slots behind Ragland with Christian Hackenberg in between. That puts him a notch ahead of Monticello quarterback Michael Brown who went on to play for Liberty and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hearn’s 37 touchdown responsibility number is eighth all-time for a single campaign in area history. In just two years, he’s accounted for 67 touchdowns, ranking him 12th all-time in career touchdown responsibility.
Hearn’s 2,007 passing yards this season rank 11th among total passing in a season.
In all, Hearn’s two seasons might be the most impressive two-season stint as a starter in Central Virgnia history.
Lindell Stone, Woodberry Forest
What Woodberry Forest junior Lindell Stone did this year was incredible.
His 3,494 yards through the air this season is far and away the highest total in Central Virgnia history, besting the old record, Joe Sanford’s 2,966 yards in 2003, by more than 500 yards.
His 39 passing touchdowns are also an area record, again topping Sanford’s 34 scoring tosses in 2003. His 40 in touchdown responsibility this year is fifth all-time for a season.
With a year remaining in his career, the Texan is already 10th all-time in the area in career passing with 4,384 yards. That puts him within striking distance of the all-time mark with a healthy, productive senior season.
Jalen Harrison, St. Anne’s-Belfield/Fluvanna
Jalen Harrison finished his career at quarterback for STAB, leading the Saints to the state title game in his half year behind center, but as a receiver, Harrison was one of the most productive in the area’s history.
Between his time at Fluvanna and STAB, Harrison finished with 2,011 receiving yards, good for fifth all-time. Western/STAB product Alex Asher remains the all-time leader with 2,658 career yards.
Kareem Johnson, St. Anne’s-Belfield
Kareem Johnson was one of the area’s most consistent playmakers over the past three seasons and was instrumental along with Harrison in the bounce back the STAB football program has undergone since an 0-10 campaign in 2012.
Johnson finished his career with 1,977 receiving yards, good for sixth all-time just behind teammate Jalen Harrison.
Zach Roderick, Woodberry Forest
With an explosive campaign in 2015, Zach Roderick pushed his way into the top 10 of the Scrimmage Play area’s all-time receiving yards. Roderick’s 1,882 career receiving yards is good for seventh all-time putting him just behind No. 7 all-time Kareem Johnson.
His 1,219-yard receiving season ranks third all time behind Nelson of Monticello’s 1,627-yard year in 2003 and Monticello’s Lieb’s 1,562-yard campaign in 2007.
Future Watch
There are a handful of young players who’ve already made a mark in Central Virginia who could be poised to move up these lists in the coming years.
Monticello sophomore quarterback Kevin Jarrell is already fifth all-time at Monticello with 2,180 passing yards and seventh at the school in career offense with 2,796 yards. With two years left in his career and a big leap forward in 2015, Jarrell has the potential to be extremely productive.
In the rushing rankings, it’s hard not to pay attention to Louisa County’s Job Whalen already. With 1,881 yards under his belt and a breakout 1,451-yard campaign as a sophomore, Whalen has already logged a lot of yards while sharing the ball a great deal. While the Lions have to replace some serious talent up front next season, Whalen has given every indication that he has the potential to be another all-time great tailback at a school that produced a lot of them.
Two players to watch in the coming years in receiving rankings are Western’s Derek Domecq (depending on a probable move to quarterback for the Warriors as he served as the No.3 signal caller this year behind two seniors) and Woodberry’s Terrell Jana.
Domecq has 1,098 yards after two years while Jana totaled 1,082 yards in his first year at Woodberry this season.
