Few suitors so far for Hawks' talent

High school notebook

Date published: 7/10/2008

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

Brooke Point High School has enough returning talent on its football team to make a run at a second consecutive Commonwealth District title this upcoming season.

But with the exception of rising senior defensive end Lanford Collins, Division I-A college coaches have yet to take notice.

Black-Hawks standout quarterback Brian Hudson and star running back Chase Barnett have been busy this summer, showcasing their skills at several individual camps. The Black-Hawks also attended a team camp at West Virginia University.

However, Hudson has yet to pick up a scholarship offer and Barnett's only offer is from Division I-AA Liberty University.

Black-Hawks head coach Jeff Berry said college coaches are interested in Hudson and Barnett, but he's not sure how much.

Ohio University has shown interest in Hudson, and West Virginia has inquired about the speedy, but diminutive Barnett (5-foot-7, 175 pounds), who rushed for 3,911 yards and 44 touchdowns the past two seasons.

"They really like [Barnett]," Berry said of West Virginia. "They've got a few kids ranked above him right now and they're seeing where those kids are going to end up."

Hudson (6-foot-3, 192 pounds) is entering his third year as Brooke Point's starter. He's thrown for 2,552 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons.

Berry said he's confident Hudson will eventually find the right fit for his talent.

"Quarterback is a strange position," Berry said. "[College coaches] are real fickle about that. A lot of teams really like him and the word is they're going to see how the first part of his senior year is going."

Collins has narrowed his choices down to Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. He's in no rush to make a decision.

"He's very lucky that he has those schools to pick from," Berry said.

Bears on the radar

A pair of Riverbend rising seniors have entered the recruiting scene.

Defensive back D.J. Edmond (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) recently picked up a scholarship offer from Liberty and is also receiving interest from Duke.

Tight end Matt Krout (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) gave an impressive showing at Virginia's individual camp.

"He was rated the top tight end at the camp," Bears offensive coordinator Tony DeMarco said. "[Recruiters] had a lot of good things to say about him."

DeMarco said Krout may move to offensive tackle in college.

He was visited by Virginia coaches at the end of the school year and he's also being recruited by Duke, James Madison, Old Dominion and Richmond.

Perry to Wesleyan

Former Chancellor High School field hockey standout Ashton Perry will attend Virginia Wesleyan College and play for its field hockey team.

Perry, who played forward and midfielder for the Chargers, was a first-team all-Battlefield District selection the past three years.

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 7/10/2008