Spring Preview: Virginia Boys Peninsula District

<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x3 pg-1h4 pg-1yc pg-1ff1 pg-1fs1 pg-1fc1 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0"><strong>5B Menchville Monarchs</strong></div> <div></div> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Lost the Region 4A final to Smithfield 1-0 in a classic match-up of unbeaten teams. Posted nine clean sheets with an overall record of 11-1-1. <div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x3 pg-1h4 pg-1y4 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs1 pg-1fc1 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0"> Coach Brian Lybert only lost three key players from 2021, forwards Matt Fitzer and Evan Crist, and defender Sam Hanny. The bad news is those players scored 75 percent of the Monarchs goals last year. The good news is in the back where nearly the entire starting defense and keeper return after allowing only four goals in 2021. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Damian Jackson, </span>Drew Walls, Alex Dierkens, and Jack Franklin will form a formidable stronghold in front of keeper Teddy Rogar. In the attacking end, look for Josh Candella and Davian Jackson to carry the load. "I think we have the perfect age mix of players this year," Lybert said. "With great leadership of seniors and juniors, and just enough sophomores and freshman to freshen things up. We are returning nine starters and have a freshman coming into the starting lineup, Cristian Robertson, that I anticipate will bring a spark to this team. Our core is very strong and I’m excited to see how the team gels this year." </div> This season not only does Menchville switch regions but also moves up a classification from 4 to 5. Now as part of 5B moving forward, the Monarchs have loaded their schedule with quality Bay Rivers programs. Matches with Jamestown, Lafayette, Grafton, Tabb, and Smithfield should prepare them well for postseason play. <strong>5B Kecoughtan Warriors</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Only loss on the season was in the region semifinals to Class 5 state champion First Colonial. Finished 10-1-1. For 2022, the Warriors will be moving from region 5A to 5B. Coach Scott Canaday graduated 11 seniors including backs Trevor Moyor and Ethan Zollman along with midfielder Mathew Novak and striker Taylor Martinez. Top returners include All-Tidewater midfielder Colin Skwirut (6 G), strikers Joe Summerfield (21 G), and Tre' Barrett (8 G). The team is looking to have a successful season with a solid midfield and attacking group and it is a very young squad with only two seniors on the roster. "As always we are looking to get to the regional tournament with the team goal to get to states," Canaday said. Interesting statistic: Kecoughtan is undefeated at home in the past five years, and they will strive to keep that record going. Schedule highlights include Grafton and a trip to the Maury Classic to face Princess Anne and Maury. <strong>5B Gloucester Dukes</strong> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Put together a solid season at 8-3-1, including a win over Hickory in the region quarterfinals before falling to Cox in the semifinals.</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Dukes are moving from region 5A to 5B and their top non-district match-ups include Lafayette and Poquoson. A solid core of returning players includes center back AJ Goller (Christopher Newport), forward Caden Brumm, and midfielders Kholby Wilson and Nick Lebel.</span> <div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1x3 pg-1h4 pg-1yc pg-1ff1 pg-1fs1 pg-1fc1 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"With a large senior class we are looking for the experienced guys to lead the way," coach Craig Raines said. "Our expectations are as always to continue to improve and be one of the few teams to consistently make it into the playoffs in a very tough region."</span></div> <div></div> <strong>5B Woodside Wolverines</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Went 6-3-1 but missed out on the regional tournament. Moving from Region 5A to 5B, the Wolverines look to return to postseason play for the first time since there were conference tournaments in 2017. Matches against southside schools are a little out of the norm but they will face Green Run, Granby, and Churchland this year. <strong>5B Bethel Bruins</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished 2-7-0. Moving from Region 5A to 5B might give the Bruins a chance to return to the region tournament. Bethel has not played in the postseason since a conference tournament in 2017. <strong>4A Warwick Raiders</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Lost in the region quarterfinals to Great Bridge and ended up 6-5-0. Coach Michael Norton looks to keep the momentum going from a shortened 2021 season with a formidable, experienced lineup. Senior forward Jordan Richardsonand and junior center midfielder JaMarhe Wills look to control the middle of the pitch while senior center backs Akihaya Gibbons and Anthony Gomez will be the last line of defense for sophomore keeper Ethan Chenoweth. Newcomers include freshman forward Abdul Mokhtar who has had a great preseason playing an attacking role on the right side. A favorable schedule could have Warwick looking at a high seed in the ultra-competitive region 4A. <strong>4A Denbigh Patriots</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Put together a respectable 4-6-0 season but missed out on postseason play. <strong>4A Hampton Crabbers</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Suffered through a 2-7-0 campaign after winning 10-plus games the previous two seasons. <strong>4A Heritage Hurricanes</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Went winless at 0-9-0. <strong>3A Phoebus Phantoms</strong> <strong>2021 Recap:</strong> Finished 1-8-0.