Are the Devils due-

Jason Simcoe / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: August 30, 2007

The CCHS football team knows about losing. The last few years have been rough.

Coach Greg Martz knew that to overcome the past couple of poor seasons, the Blue Devils would need an attitude adjustment.

So far Martz likes what he sees.

"There's been a lack of negativity in their attitude," he said. "They've tried to be a sponge and soak up as much as they can."

The Blue Devils are coming off a 2-8 season. They were winless in the Cedar Run District.

Martz's challenge is improving a program with almost entirely new personnel. The Blue Devils graduated 17 seniors. Running back Mark Simpson transferred to Liberty. Overall, the team returns four starters on offense and three on defense.

The Blue Devils are also dominated by underclassmen. There are only 12 seniors listed on the 67-man roster.

The offensive line returns just one starter, center Joe Reser, and Martz is quick to point to that unit's development as a key to the team's success. Reser was an honorable mention all-district selection last season, but will have to adapt to some new faces with him on the line.

"As the offensive line goes, so goes the offense," he said. "We're only as good as they are."

The Blue Devils do have some offensive weapons. Running backs Steven Strother and Najee Harris combine with fleet-footed quarterback Kyle Majors to give CCHS a dangerous ground attack. In the team's first scrimmage Monday, a 24-7 loss to Monticello, Harris and Strother combined for 97 yards.

Cody Whitlock and Majors both saw action at quarterback in the scrimmage. Strother showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and 6-foot-6 newcomer Steven Reynolds showed he could be an offensive threat, grabbing a 48-yard reception in the first half. Senior Joey Powell was honorable mention all-Cedar Run in 2006.

The Blue Devil defense lost some big names to graduation, but there is still plenty of talent. Opposing offenses have to respect Strother, who was chosen first team all-Cedar Run as a cornerback last year. Second-team all-Cedar Run defensive end Roger Davis anchors the front seven.

Kicker Carter Mills was also selected to the all-Cedar Run second team last year.

The Blue Devils play a tough schedule. Osbourn went 14-0 last season, winning the AAA state title. The newest member of the Cedar Run District, Liberty, finished 9-1 in AA in 2006.

It's an uphill road for the Blue Devils, but the young group has impressed coaches with a determined work ethic in the preseason. According to offensive coordinator Donald Dodson, the players are following the example of the senior class and developing a workman-like attitude.

"This is the hardest working team we've had so far," he said. "We have some really good leaders this year. The kids who are our leaders are also the ones who work the hardest. The kids are going to follow them and work as hard as they do."

The Blue Devils open their season Sept. 7 at Broman Field against Orange. The key to success, according to Martz, will be holding the intensity of preseason training camp through all 10 games. That means some inexperienced players will have to learn quickly.

"We still have room to improve," he said. "We've got to make sure that we continue to get better and get deeper."

But according to assistant coach Jeremy Stanley, things are on the upswing for the Blue Devils. Last year's struggles opened the eyes of some players. They've had enough.

"They're buying into the system," Stanley said. They're tired of losing."

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or