With 12 returning starters back from last year’s VISAA Division III semifinalist squad, the North Cross School Raiders, under new head coach Stephen Alexander, hope to bring a state title back to the school as they introduce new offensive and defensive looks.
Alexander, an assistant coach at Virginia Episcopal last year – also the offensive coordinator for Napoli Briganti, an NFL Italy team based in Naples – will take the reigns of the Raider program. Alexander replaces Lee Johnson, who went across town to take over the top spot at William Fleming High School.
The new coach announced recently that Shannon Taylor, a former NFL player and Roanoke native, will be joining the team as defensive coordinator. Also helping coach are Stan Adams, Boo Battle and Jerome Mann.
With a new coaching staff, a new offensive and defensive look and a tough schedule, the Raiders are looking for their seniors to step up and provide leadership this fall.
“We have a tremendous senior class that is experienced, talented and hardworking. We’ll be relying on those guys to lead us this season,” Alexander said. “North Cross is going to be very different than it has been in the past, offensively and defensively.”
Returning starters include Fuller Clark (senior, QB/FS), Antione Martin (senior, RB/LB), Matt Watson (senior, LB), Spencer Shaff (senior, CB), Kyle Fraser (junior, CB), Phillip Call (senior, DE), Brandon Trent (senior, WR/SS), Micajah Lacy (senior, LB), Morgan Moskal (senior, C), Paul Ross (junior, G), Daniel Frederick (senior, G/DT) and Chris Moore (senior/T). Other returnees include Anthony Jackson (senior, WR/LB), George Revercomb (junior, LB) and Myles Poindexter (junior, RB).
The coach sees Martin, Trent, Clark, Lacy and Frederick as team leaders on the field, with newcomers Chris Shelton (junior, OT/DE) and Josh Murray (junior, WR) also making an impact this season.
“We are an athletic team with good team speed and we’ll feature an attacking style on both sides of the ball,” said Alexander, when asked about the team’s strengths in 2010. As for the Raiders’ biggest weakness? “our depth.”
The coaching staff views the Oct. 8 home encounter with formidable Liberty Christian Academy (a player pipeline to Liberty University) as a highlight of the season. That’s a team Johnson was hesitant to play over the past few seasons.
“We’ve asked a lot out of our players mentally so far this pre-season and I’m pleased with the progress so far,” said Alex. “We have a lot of improvements to make, but the team has shown great promise this August.”
North Cross opens its regular season on Friday, Aug. 27 with a road trip to Ben L. Smith High School. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
