It didn’t take long for new Volunteer head coach Lane Kiffin to make a big mistake. Before Kiffin even unpacked his bags in Knoxville, Kiffin picked up the phone and called the 757 area and dissed the latest great players to come from this area. You see, Kiffin called and told Phoebus quarterback Tajh Boyd that he didn’t fit in at UT. Kiffin told Boyd that he was looking for a pro style quarterback. Boyd earlier committed to play for the Vols. That was when Phillip Fulmer still had a job. All Boyd does is win, but he won’t be doing in Rocky Top.

Think Kiffin is kicking himself today after what he saw this past weekend at the US Army All-American Bowl? Boyd stole the show passing for 188 yards and 3 long touchdowns. Most valuable player at a national all-star game, but not good enough for Tennessee.

Kiffin made a big mistake when he called Boyd and dropped the news, but one things for sure, Kiffin wont pick up the phone and call back to admit he was wrong!

I wish I had a dollar for each time I heard Frank Beamer say, “We have to get the best players in the 757 area if we hope to win.” He’s not alone. Just recently JMU head coach Mickey Mathews told Ahmed Fareed how important recruiting Hampton Roads has become. Mathews plucked an overlooked diamond in the rough in quarterback Rodney Landers from Tallwood High School and Landers almost led the Dukes to the national championship game. Such a bummer that Landers suffered an ankle injury early on against Montana in the national semifinal.

But getting back to Beamer and his Hokies. For years the Gobblers cornered the market here in the 757 area, but not this year. That honor goes to those savy Virginia Cavaliers. Just as the Hokies snagged the best players from the area, the Wahoos did just the opposite. Al Groh and his crew rarely captured the best players from this area, until this year. Six local studs have committed to play for Virginia and one big fish is still out there. You know, the Army All-American who recently led Phoebus to the state title. Landing Tajh Boyd would put the Cavaliers over the top and give them thier best haul in Hampton Roads in recenty history.

Tajh, if your listening, Virginia would be a great fit for you. And thats coming from a Hokie!

If Boyd ends up choosing Virginia, he would join Javonti Sparrow from Western Branch, Laroy Reynolds from Maury, Jontel Evans from Bethel, LaVonti Battle from Phoebus, Perry Jones and Tim Smith from Oscar Smith as part of Virginia’s class of 2009. Thats a pretty impressive group.

The Hokies will not come away empty handed this year. They have received committments from Telvion Clark from Granby, James Gayle of Bethel and Tyrel Wilson from Hampton. All three are defensive brutes who will fit nicely in Bud Fosters quicksilver defense.

Now both the Hokies and Cavaliers will put their spin on why they recruited who and why they did not get such and such. That’s just the way it is. But one things for sure, if it comes down to numbers, more players chose to play in C-Ville than the Burg. That should be concerning for you Hokie fans out there. But then again, until Virginia wins on the field of play and beats the Hokies, I guess it doesnt really matter!

The high school football season is now over and the post season awards are starting to stack up for players around Hampton Roads.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has recognized two players from Hampton Roads this year. Phoebus quarterback Tajh Boyd and former Western Branch quarterback Kevin Newsome. Newsome played for Hargrave Military Academy this season.

Being named U.S Army All-American is one of the top honors a high school football player can receive. There are currently over 80 former U.S. Army All-Americans in the NFL today, including six first-round draft picks. Reggie Bush, Adrian Peterson, Tim Tebow, Tedd Ginn Jr and Chris Wells are just a few of the great players to make this list.

In the 8 year history of the U.S. Army All-American game, 9 players from Hampton Roads have been honored. That list includes: Kai Parham, Carlos Campbell, Levi Brown, Chris Bell, Xavier Adibi, Elan Lewis and Tyrod Taylor. You could say the path to this great game played in San Antonio, Texas goes thru the 757 area. Ninty players from across the nation make up both the east and west squads and two players from the 757 will be there this year.

With so many national awards to go around, I’ve always felt that being named to the All-State team was the top honor a player could recieve. A long time ago I was named to the Carnation All-American team. Also named that year was some guys named Doug Flutie and William “The Refrigerator” Perry. Dont get me wrong, It was a great honor, but being recognized as a top player in your state is hard to top.

If you would like to see Newsome and Boyd perform at the US Army All-American Bowl game, you can see the game live on WAVY TV, January 3rd at 1:00.