Bath County Charger’s Prepare For 2010 Season

Warm Springs, VA – Last season the Bath County Chargers football team finished 8-5. As they began practice last week, all they could think about was doing better.

Success has been an ongoing occurrence with Charger football. Previous seasons have not only produced winning records but also state championships, district championships, and all-state players. Finishing 8-5 to most teams would be considered a successful year, but for the standards set by the football program, it was okay. As Coach Will Fields assembles his 2010 team, he knows this year’s expectations will be as they always are.

“Expectations are high,” says Fields. “We’ve won eight district championships in the last nine years and have a couple of state championships under our belt. The last twenty years have been a successful period for the program. The expectations are always high for us.”

Part of meeting expectations and trying to regain the Pioneer District crown will be improving the defense and adjusting it to a style of offense that has swept through the Virginia high school ranks.

“We were not very good against spread offenses last year,” says Field. “Defensively we are working on improving our pass defense and guarding against four-man wide receiver sets that have become prevalent in football this decade.”

The Chargers start off the season August 27 against East Mont. The Mustangs are led by QB Shawn Christian who has received looks from both Virginia and Virginia Tech. Fields understands the importance of the preseason as not only a time to develop the basics but also start preparing for the crucial match-up.

“We know what we’re going to face scheme wise,” said Fields. “However, right now we’re just working on the basics but as we get closer we’ll start preparing for them more.”

The Chargers have a difficult schedule. Besides playing East Mont, they also have Pendleton County, AA Alleghany, and district rival James River. But with a seasoned athletic team led by standouts Derek Brinkley, Dillon Fry, and Josh Robertson, look to see the Chargers put together a successful season by their standards. They host Wilson Memorial Friday for a preseason tune-up.