Page 12 - January 31, 2018

Photo credit: Rivals/Hakeem Beamon

SPORTS

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LCB hires familiar

face, Alabama makes

offers to Beamon

BY JOSH MATHEWS
When David Bedwell took the Taylor will go into the 2018
L.C. Bird athletic director’s seat last season with one of the top football
year, longtime assistant Tony Nicely recruits in
was named interim coach for the 2017 the nation LANI MASON (LEFT) AND MAKENZY JOHNSON (RIGHT)
season. Now, it appears that Skyhawks manning POSE FOR A PHOTO BEFORE A MATOACA VOLLEYBALL
have found their replacement in a his MATCH
familiar face, former Meadowbrook offensive Matoaca volleyball sends two to
coach Troy Taylor. and
“I’m excited to be going back to defensive highest collegiate level
the school that I graduated from and lines. HAKEEM BEAMON
played at,” Taylor said. Hakeem Beamon, a junior, is verbally BY JOSH MATHEWS
Taylor began his career as an committed to the University of North Under coach Tiara Boyd, Matoaca conference championships. Her teams
assistant under Bedwell back in 2000. Carolina, but in the past week, has volleyball made a historic postseason run finished with a record of 71-21 during
From there, he was an assistant at picked up offers from the defending this year to the 5A state tournament, a first that same four-year span.
Meadowbrook for seven years, winning national champions, Alabama, in in school history. Now, two players have Mason rose to the occasion as one
addition to Florida International, reaped the benefits of their hard work and of the top hitters in the area. She earned
success in the classroom and on the court.
All-Conference accolades as a freshman
Maryland, South Carolina and West Senior Mackenzy Johnson has committed and hasn’t looked back, garnering
Virginia over the past week. to play Division I volleyball at Norfolk awards in each of her three high school
“I found out about Hakeem when State, and junior Lani Mason has cone the seasons to date. Her athletic ability,
he was a freshman,” said Taylor. “A same for Delaware. especially her leaping, makes her a
coach told me that he was going to be “When I stepped on campus, I fell in dangerous weapon.
the highest-recruited guy since Morgan the love,” Johnson said. “I know people The sport of volleyball has been a
Moses.” from both James River and Matoaca and I ‘bull market’ the past five years, as clubs
Moses, of course, plays on felt comfortable there and really related to like Richmond Volleyball have helped
Sundays in the NFL for the Washington the coaching staff.” the sport gain popularity.
“Delaware has good academics and
“We are really proud to see how our
L. C. BIRD ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DAVID BEDWELL Redskins. He graduated from the a beautiful campus,” said Mason. “I just talent level in girls’ volleyball has grown
WELCOMES TROY TAYLOR AS THE SKYHAWKS' University of Virginia after playing in
NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH. knew this was the right choice for me over the past 15 years,” said Matoaca
high school for Taylor at Meadowbrook. to get what I’m looking for with college athletic director Charles Payton. “The
a state title under then head coach Bill It certainly looks like that coach’s volleyball.” number of girls participating in travel ball
Bowles in 2004. When Bowles retired prediction could hold true. The talent Johnson has completed a record- during the offseason really made a big
in 2008, Taylor got the top position and level of athletes in the Richmond setting career as a setter, starting at difference. We are so proud of our girls to
won the Central District championship area continues to rise, as Dinwiddie’s James River and moving to Matoaca her have made it to states for the first time.”
in 2012. In the last three seasons, he K’Vaughan Pope committed to Ohio junior year. The setter controls the flow Johnson and Mason join Jaelyn
served as Virginia Union’s quarterback State this year, with approximately three of the offense, much like a quarterback Jackson, a 2014 graduate of Matoaca,
coach and the Panthers defensive end dozen others recently fielding Division in football or a point guard in basketball. as Division I volleyball student-athletes.
coach. I offers of their own. During her four-year career, she amassed Jackson is a redshirt sophomore at
an astounding 2,674 assists, won three Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Matoaca’s Birdsong signs pro contract

BY JOSH MATHEWS
Matoaca alum Michael Birdsong has the way: head on. to four. The field is
achieved a life long dream of signing.a “Even though I signed a contract, if 10 yards longer and
pro football contract. The former Warrior I don’t go up there and perform, it means wider, end zones are
signed on with the British Columbia Lions nothing,” Birdsong said. “I’m sure I’ll have 10 yards deeper, and
(commonly called the BC Lions) of the to beat someone out to make the roster and goal posts are placed
Canadian Football League on January 24. I’m ready to work.” at the front of the
“It feels great to sign a professional Birdsong started at James Madison end zone instead of
contract,” said Birdsong. “It’s what I’ve University then transferred to Marshall the back.
always dreamt of and I’m blessed the Lions after a coaching change. An injury led to Birdsong
gave me that opportunity.” his eventual transfer to Tennessee Tech, has never visited
Recently, Birdsong (6-4, 240) attended where he excelled. He finished his college Canada, but now
NFL mini-camps for both the New Orleans career with 6,148 passing yards and 45 will. The team plays
Saints and Seattle Seahawks before finding touchdowns while completing 60 percent in Vancouver, which
a home in the CFL. Between NFL mini- of his pass attempts. Birdsong played under has been dubbed one
camps and the CFL, he trained with Roger former and long-time coach Pat Manuel at of the “cleanest cities BIRDSONG, PICTURED PLAYING FOR TENNESSEE TECH,
Riggle at DEFYGenetics in Colonial Matoaca. in the world.” It is SCRAMBLES IN A GAME AGAINST TENNESSEE STATE.
Heights. The nails-tough signal caller is Canadian football has several the third most populous Canadian city The season opener for the BC
taking the new challenge like one of the differences from American football, such with a population of approximately two Lions is June 8, when they take on the
many successful scrambles he’s made along as playing with three downs as opposed million. Montreal Alouettes.
12 JANUARY 31, 2018 news@villagenewsonline.com