2008 in Review
Following an extraordinary 2007 campaign which resulted in the Knights first winning record since 1996 and the first playoff appearance since 2003, hopes were high for Currituck coming into the 2008 season. Unfortunately for the momentum was blunted in the offseason by the loss of a very strong, talented and motivated group of seniors as well as Coach Rich Dombroski, who in December announced he was leaving Currituck for Estero High in Florida. To replace Coach D, Currituck hired away Rex Sponhaltz, the head man at neighboring and rival First Flight High School. Sponhaltz acknowledged it would be a great challenge to keep things going from where Coach D left off. Little did Sponhaltz know how much of a challenge it really would be.
Following an extraordinary 2007 campaign which resulted in the Knights first winning record since 1996 and the first playoff appearance since 2003, hopes were high for Currituck coming into the 2008 season. Unfortunately for the momentum was blunted in the offseason by the loss of a very strong, talented and motivated group of seniors as well as Coach Rich Dombroski, who in December announced he was leaving Currituck for Estero High in Florida. To replace Coach D, Currituck hired away Rex Sponhaltz, the head man at neighboring and rival First Flight High School. Sponhaltz acknowledged it would be a great challenge to keep things going from where Coach D left off. Little did Sponhaltz know how much of a challenge it really would be.
Going into the summer, the number one challenge for the Knights was a lack of a clear QB. Both QBs from '07 were gone: Tim Vinick to graduation and Brian Lesinski who decided not to play his senior year. Further, the offense was changed from the Spread look that Coach D ran to an I formation look. Coupled with the I formation was a new position of fullback and the switch of Antwan Woodley from WR to HB. Yet another problem facing the Knights was the loss of all but one person who played Offensive Line for varsity in 2007. A last challenge was the loss of a top notch kicker in Daniel Hines and no clear replacement.
Going into the summer, the number one challenge for the Knights was a lack of a clear QB. Both QBs from '07 were gone: Tim Vinick to graduation and Brian Lesinski who decided not to play his senior year. Further, the offense was changed from the Spread look that Coach D ran to an I formation look. Coupled with the I formation was a new position of fullback and the switch of Antwan Woodley from WR to HB. Yet another problem facing the Knights was the loss of all but one person who played Offensive Line for varsity in 2007. A last challenge was the loss of a top notch kicker in Daniel Hines and no clear replacement.
By week one, many of these challenges had not been met. The offense struggled across the board. Luckily for the Knights, Manteo too was not quite there offensively. Thus, by late in the 4th quarter the score remained 0-0. A late drive for the Knights was halted when Woodley fumbled at the Manteo 16 forcing overtime. After Manteo quickly scored on their possession, the Knights suffered through a long, penalty extended possession that ended when Woodley fumbled again to finalize the contest. The Knights were now 0-1, as Manteo left Barco with a 7-0 victory.
By week one, many of these challenges had not been met. The offense struggled across the board. Luckily for the Knights, Manteo too was not quite there offensively. Thus, by late in the 4th quarter the score remained 0-0. A late drive for the Knights was halted when Woodley fumbled at the Manteo 16 forcing overtime. After Manteo quickly scored on their possession, the Knights suffered through a long, penalty extended possession that ended when Woodley fumbled again to finalize the contest. The Knights were now 0-1, as Manteo left Barco with a 7-0 victory.
In week two the Knights switched to more of a spread look that the players were comfortable with from the previous season, with Antwan Woodley moving to quarterback, a position he played on JV in 2006. An angry Currituck team came out in force and dominated Gates County the entire night. The result was a 54-22 beat down over the hopelessly overmatched and outgunned 1A Red Barons. The win brought Currituck to .500, at 1-1.
In week two the Knights switched to more of a spread look that the players were comfortable with from the previous season, with Antwan Woodley moving to quarterback, a position he played on JV in 2006. An angry Currituck team came out in force and dominated Gates County the entire night. The result was a 54-22 beat down over the hopelessly overmatched and outgunned 1A Red Barons. The win brought Currituck to .500, at 1-1.
For three week, the Knights turned their attention to the Camden County Bruins in the 4th annual Byrd Bowl. Currituck came out sluggish, and quickly fell behind 6-0. However, a long, clock eating drive behind the Antwan Woodley gave the Knights a 7-6 lead late in the 2nd quarter. But, a quick long run by Ricky Krainak was the impetus for a Camden score before half. The Knights never recovered and lost 25-7. Also during the game, Currituck used their 3rd QB of the season Patrick VInick at times for Woodley. The win gave Camden back the Byrd Bowl, for the 3rd time in 4 years.
For three week, the Knights turned their attention to the Camden County Bruins in the 4th annual Byrd Bowl. Currituck came out sluggish, and quickly fell behind 6-0. However, a long, clock eating drive behind the Antwan Woodley gave the Knights a 7-6 lead late in the 2nd quarter. But, a quick long run by Ricky Krainak was the impetus for a Camden score before half. The Knights never recovered and lost 25-7. Also during the game, Currituck used their 3rd QB of the season Patrick VInick at times for Woodley. The win gave Camden back the Byrd Bowl, for the 3rd time in 4 years.
Next up for the Knights was a disastrous two straight open weeks. On the first Monday practice of the first open week, half of the Knights squad skipped practice. This resulted in a mix of one quarter and one game suspensions for Pasquotank. In the meantime, discontent within the team continued as the team's roster dwindled to under 30 players. Meanwhile, more and more players stopped working hard and started to slack off. The next contest, the Northeastern Coastal Conference opener loomed large.
Next up for the Knights was a disastrous two straight open weeks. On the first Monday practice of the first open week, half of the Knights squad skipped practice. This resulted in a mix of one quarter and one game suspensions for Pasquotank. In the meantime, discontent within the team continued as the team's roster dwindled to under 30 players. Meanwhile, more and more players stopped working hard and started to slack off. The next contest, the Northeastern Coastal Conference opener loomed large.
In Pasquotank, Currituck played down a dozen players for a quarter and some half-dozen for the entire game, including many star players. The result was personal in places where they normally did not play. Yet, despite the challenges, Currituck's defense held tough, giving up only two scores for 12 points. Unfortunately, Currituck's offense did not met the challenge and mustered only six points, as a late rally to win the game fizzled. Currituck fell to 1-3, 0-1.
In Pasquotank, Currituck played down a dozen players for a quarter and some half-dozen for the entire game, including many star players. The result was personal in places where they normally did not play. Yet, despite the challenges, Currituck's defense held tough, giving up only two scores for 12 points. Unfortunately, Currituck's offense did not met the challenge and mustered only six points, as a late rally to win the game fizzled. Currituck fell to 1-3, 0-1.
The following Friday, Currituck took to the road, making a 150 mile bus ride to play Pamlico County in a non-conference game. In Bayboro, once again the Knights defense held firm. Yet, Pamlico was able to manage one long touchdown run against Currituck. That one play proved to be the difference as the Knights offensive line got penalized and destroyed the whole contest as QB #4 Shane Tew had little options. The result was a heart-breaking 6-0 loss against the 1A Hurricanes to drop the Knights record to 1-4.
The following Friday, Currituck took to the road, making a 150 mile bus ride to play Pamlico County in a non-conference game. In Bayboro, once again the Knights defense held firm. Yet, Pamlico was able to manage one long touchdown run against Currituck. That one play proved to be the difference as the Knights offensive line got penalized and destroyed the whole contest as QB #4 Shane Tew had little options. The result was a heart-breaking 6-0 loss against the 1A Hurricanes to drop the Knights record to 1-4.
Returning home for the first time in 42 days, Currituck returned to Patrick Vinick at quarterback as the Knights took on 3A power Hertford County in league game number two. Currituck came out of the gate strong, taking a 6-0 lead on the Bears. However, Hertford climbed back into the lead with superior athleticism, size and strength, not to mention poor performance by the Knights on special teams. Indeed, on the ensuing kickoff, Hertford's Larry Raynor took the ball all the way back for a Hertford County Lead.However, CCHS remained in the game, even after having a punt blocked and a high snap, both plays that resulted in turnovers and ultimatly Bears scored, and Currituck drove to the goal line late in the 1st half. A score would bring huge momentum into the 2nd half and pull Currituck close. Alas, Vinick fired a pass that was intercepted and returned all the way back for a TD by Antonio Vaughan of Hertford. This changed the game's complexion and Hertford went on to win 41-6. Currituck now was looking a 1-5, 0-2 record deep in a hole.
Returning home for the first time in 42 days, Currituck returned to Patrick Vinick at quarterback as the Knights took on 3A power Hertford County in league game number two. Currituck came out of the gate strong, taking a 6-0 lead on the Bears. However, Hertford climbed back into the lead with superior athleticism, size and strength, not to mention poor performance by the Knights on special teams. Indeed, on the ensuing kickoff, Hertford's Larry Raynor took the ball all the way back for a Hertford County Lead.However, CCHS remained in the game, even after having a punt blocked and a high snap, both plays that resulted in turnovers and ultimatly Bears scored, and Currituck drove to the goal line late in the 1st half. A score would bring huge momentum into the 2nd half and pull Currituck close. Alas, Vinick fired a pass that was intercepted and returned all the way back for a TD by Antonio Vaughan of Hertford. This changed the game's complexion and Hertford went on to win 41-6. Currituck now was looking a 1-5, 0-2 record deep in a hole.
On Homecoming 2008 CCHS squared off with the Bertie County Falcons. Bertie was down after a strong season the year before, and for Currituck this could be the game that turned the season around. During the contest, Currituck twice starred down the end zone with 1st and Goals from the one yard line. As the pace of the season showed, neither time was the Knights offense with a new look offensive line lead by Shane Tew able to score. Bertie though was able to push across a score in a 7-0 win. The defeat, yet another heartbreaker, essentially eliminated the Knights from playoff contention.
On Homecoming 2008 CCHS squared off with the Bertie County Falcons. Bertie was down after a strong season the year before, and for Currituck this could be the game that turned the season around. During the contest, Currituck twice starred down the end zone with 1st and Goals from the one yard line. As the pace of the season showed, neither time was the Knights offense with a new look offensive line lead by Shane Tew able to score. Bertie though was able to push across a score in a 7-0 win. The defeat, yet another heartbreaker, essentially eliminated the Knights from playoff contention.
The next week was no easier for Currituck. The Knights visited Northeastern, the NEC conference leader. In Elizabeth City, Currituck's offense suddenly came alive. Woodley rushed for 181 years, had 307 all purpose yards and 3 scores as he would win All Area Player of the Week. Yet, Currituck's stout defense suddenly fell apart, which was not helped by starting Mike linebacker Danny Ralws having broke his thumb in Thursday practice making him unavailable for the contest. Further, although down 20-2 early, Currituck did not quit. Rather, they made a game out of it, even while giving up over 400 yards on the ground and over 500 total. Yet, the Knights could not come up with quite enough, falling 40-30 to the Eagles.
The next week was no easier for Currituck. The Knights visited Northeastern, the NEC conference leader. In Elizabeth City, Currituck's offense suddenly came alive. Woodley rushed for 181 years, had 307 all purpose yards and 3 scores as he would win All Area Player of the Week. Yet, Currituck's stout defense suddenly fell apart, which was not helped by starting Mike linebacker Danny Ralws having broke his thumb in Thursday practice making him unavailable for the contest. Further, although down 20-2 early, Currituck did not quit. Rather, they made a game out of it, even while giving up over 400 yards on the ground and over 500 total. Yet, the Knights could not come up with quite enough, falling 40-30 to the Eagles.
Week Eleven featured a home date with the Edenton Aces. Again, bad luck harmed Currituck when QB Shane Tew got suspended Thursday morning. The result was the pressing of Patrick Vinick back into the QB slot though he hadn't practiced the position since the week of Hertford, and hadn't played since replacing Tew against Bertie after Tew suffered a mild concussion. The Knights opened with a 7-0 lead, but the Aces moved back to take a 15-7 lead. Currituck rallied and Antwan Woodley scored from 34 yards out mid way through the 4th quarter. Coach Sponhaltz chose to go for two and the lead instead of the tie and the resulting conversion attempt failed. Edenton promptly turned over the ball near midfield, but Currituck was unable to score from the good field position and lost yet again, 15-14 to the Aces on Senior night.
Week Eleven featured a home date with the Edenton Aces. Again, bad luck harmed Currituck when QB Shane Tew got suspended Thursday morning. The result was the pressing of Patrick Vinick back into the QB slot though he hadn't practiced the position since the week of Hertford, and hadn't played since replacing Tew against Bertie after Tew suffered a mild concussion. The Knights opened with a 7-0 lead, but the Aces moved back to take a 15-7 lead. Currituck rallied and Antwan Woodley scored from 34 yards out mid way through the 4th quarter. Coach Sponhaltz chose to go for two and the lead instead of the tie and the resulting conversion attempt failed. Edenton promptly turned over the ball near midfield, but Currituck was unable to score from the good field position and lost yet again, 15-14 to the Aces on Senior night.
The last week of the year resulted in a trip to First Flight. The Nighthawks were gunning for Currituck, making the game both homecoming and senior night. Currituck suffered numerous early penalties including several personal conduct fouls, including the ejection of halfback Antwan Woodley. Noah Manuel slid into the tailback's slot and ground out 169 yards on 13 carriers. That was about the only bright spot for Currituck who fell behind early and lost badly 37-18 to end a miserable season 1-9, 0-6.
The last week of the year resulted in a trip to First Flight. The Nighthawks were gunning for Currituck, making the game both homecoming and senior night. Currituck suffered numerous early penalties including several personal conduct fouls, including the ejection of halfback Antwan Woodley. Noah Manuel slid into the tailback's slot and ground out 169 yards on 13 carriers. That was about the only bright spot for Currituck who fell behind early and lost badly 37-18 to end a miserable season 1-9, 0-6.
FINAL RECORD: ONE WIN NINE LOSSES