Area produces college football products

By Shane Mettlen

Published: October 21, 2008

Former Orange County quarterback Bradley Starks could see a return to his roots after mak-ing the switch to wide receiver this season as a redshirt freshman at West Virginia.
Starks, who was the Jefferson District player of the year at Orange two years ago, got off to a hot start at wide out for the Mountaineers, but saw his production slow in recent weeks. Through the first six games he had four receptions for 20 yards.

But with star quarterback Pat White battling injuries in Morgantown, Starks is seeing more practice time at quarterback. Backup Jarrett Brown is still ahead of Starks on the depth chart, but the Orange product is seeing more snaps quarterback than wide receiver.

“(Brown) has been playing and he’s throwing the ball but we put Bradley Starks in just to make sure,” WVU coach Bill Stewart told the media at his weekly press conference. “Bradley has been playing. If I’m going to go to one side, I’m going to err on the side of caution. In the NFL, from what I think I know is that, their No. 1 takes 90 percent to their No. 2’s 10 percent. Well, in col-lege, your ones get about 60 percent to 40 percent. We had to give Bradley work this week so yes, he’s there. He can throw the ball and I hope he can play for all the right reasons; at the end of the game and I hope he does well.”

Fanning the Flames: Liberty has been getting solid production from some area players with for-mer Culpeper Blue Devil Kent Hicks leading the way. Hicks, a senior defensive back, has started all seven games for the Flames and leads the team with two interceptions and four pass breakups. Hicks also has 23 tackles and recovered a fumble for Liberty, which is 6-1 and ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

Former Orange standout Asa Chapman is also playing defense for the Flames. The 6-5, 377-pound defensive tackle has played in all seven games and has four tackles. Former Liberty High School offensive lineman is also starting at left guard for Danny Rocco’s team.

Still teammates: Among the defensive leaders for the University of Charleston this year is a pair of former CCHS players, Ricky Strother and Michael Denton.
Denton, a junior defensive lineman has played in eight games and made 10 tackles, including three for a loss and two sacks. Strother, a redshirt freshman defensive back, has played in seven games and made six tackles, one for a loss.

Vandy standout: Orange product Brent Trice has played a key role in Vanderbilt’s breakout season. The junior linebacker has 12 tackles, including three for a loss and two sacks. He’s also forced a fumble. Another Orange graduate, T.J. Minor, made his debut at the FCS level at Nor-folk State. He has two catches for 18 yards in his only appearance of the season.

Eagles soaring: Liberty High School has made a habit out of producing college talent and there are a handful of former Eagles making waves this season. Justin Carrington is starring at Indiana, recording 19 tackles in seven games this season and getting in on a sack. Aaron Hall has put up similar numbers at Kent State, recording 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks in seven games. Also representing Liberty in the college ranks is Bryan Roof, who has 30 tackles and one sack at Concord University in West Virignia.

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or