by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
So many coaches have come and gone from George Wythe’s football program in recent years.
This one just may stick.
Coach Gary Warren, a Southampton County native and former Virginia State player (1993-96), is dead set on George Wythe becoming a quality program, and he’s building from the ground up.
Talk is cheap, some say, but just read some of his quotes.
“I heard about the history of George Wythe as far as the losing streak (at 44 right now), but that was nothing to shy away from. I enjoy challenges and I think this is a good program. A program that has a lot to offer for me and the young men here.”
More.
“The young men that I’m working with, I enjoy working with them every day. They are a joy to work with. I have some enthusiastic kids that come every day. Some kids have situations where they can’t come every day.”
Again.
“We’re trying to put a good product out. Playing hard, playing through the whistle, discipline, fundamentals, those are things that you build to have a good program.”
It starts with a 2009 group that has seniors like Michael Harrison and Jamal Gary that believe in Warren and his direction.
“We’re coming to practice every day trying to put the team back together,” Harrison said. “I think he’s a good coach and I think he’s going to turn this around.”
Something as simple as a JV football team to some people is his No. 1 goal. Wythe hasn’t fielded one in years.
“We’ll have a JV team if we have to play iron man football. If I have 12 guys, we’re playing JV football. That’s the future. The way you build a program is going from the ground up.
“That’s how you learn. They’ll know what coach wants.”
And more importantly, they’ll know who coach is.
ALL ABOUT GEORGE WYTHE
Key players: Michael Harrison, Sr., RB/S; Jamal Gary, Sr., C/MLB; O’Shea Scott, OT/DT; Damien Johnson, OL/DL; Hakeem Stephens, WR/CB; Reynard Rice, Jr., QB; Willie Harding, Jr., QB
Key losses: Dennis Odom, WR/DB; Derek Young, WR/DB; Pernell Dixon, OL/DL
Big games: at Huguenot, Sept. 26, 1 p.m.. A game against a city rival, the Bulldogs should be pumped up.
Outlook: Fielding a more competitive team that takes pride in their performance should be the goal. If that happens, wins will come sooner or later.
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Coach Gary Warren interview
RB/S Michael Harrison interview
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009 Schedule
2008 Schedule/Results
Team Page
Back to 2009 Football Camp Tour
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