Bristol Herald Courier | Tim Hayes | Photo Credit: Emily Ball
The three high schools in Russell County, Virginia, have proven weapons at the quarterback position and some young guns calling the shots.
The Castlewood Blue Devils, Honaker Tigers and Lebanon Pioneers are under the direction of new head coaches who take over programs with experienced QBs and that development is among the many storylines as VHSL practice officially begins on Thursday.
Shon Chisom, 32, is the new boss at Castlewood where senior Brayden Houchins is the incumbent signal-caller.
Chisom was a quarterback himself back in the day at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, a 2011 graduate of the school.
He later played at Erie Community College in New York before finishing his collegiate career at Kentucky Wesleyan.
The Columbus Lions and Vermont Bucks were among the arena league teams he played for, as well as the Roanoke Rampage semi-pro squad.
He served as an assistant coach at Cave Spring and PH-Roanoke before accepting the job at Castlewood.
What made him decide to give the job with the Blue Devils a shot?
“Small Communities tend to build around their athletics,” Chisom said. “I want to be a part of that building and continue to grow with the Castlewood area. Also, the meeting with [Principal] Mr. [Jarrod] Sparks and [athletic director] Mr. [Patrick] Wade was phenomenal. Great people who love this school and [want] its athletics to grow.”
Castlewood is coming off consecutive 1-9 seasons and the Blue Devils haven’t won a playoff game since 2011.
What has been Chisom’s approach?
“Positivity and building a family,” Chisom said. “I want these kids and coaching staff to feel like this is their extended family.”
The preseason response has been receptive.
“Great,” Chisom said. “The student-athletes have bought into starting the foundation from the bottom up.”
Shane Wicks, 34, takes over a Honaker team that was already at the top as defending Hogoheegee District and Region 1D champions.
Quarterback Peyton Musick is the most notable returnee for the Tigers as he threw for 3,626 yards and 50 touchdowns (a single-season record in far Southwest Virginia) to go along with 382 rushing yards and eight TDs.
Hunter Norris, 28, is the new man in charge at Lebanon and the headliner for the Pioneers is junior Michael Reece who is coming off a season in which he piled up 2,480 passing yards and 23 touchdowns through the air to go along with 412 rushing yards and six TDs.
Honaker and Lebanon get the Southwest Virginia regular season started on Thursday, Aug. 29 when they meet in the annual Coal Bowl.