Battlefield notebook

Date published: 4/23/2008

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

In a little more than two full seasons, Dennis Berry has thoroughly enjoyed watching Kara Blosser play soccer.

"She's nothing short of amazing," the Courtland High School girls soccer coach said of his star junior forward.

Apparently, North Carolina State sees the same qualities.

The Wolfpack offered Blosser a full scholarship and she recently gave them an oral commitment, choosing N.C. State over scholarship offers from VCU, VMI and Longwood.

"I went down there, and I absolutely love the coaches," Blosser said of N.C. State. "The [Division I] atmosphere was just amazing."

Berry said the two-time first-team all-Battlefield District and all-Region I performer should be an asset to any team she plays on.

"She's able to control the game," Berry said. "She's big. She's fast. She's strong. She sees the field very well. N.C. State was probably attracted to her for all those reasons."

Blosser was a second-team all-Group AA selection last season after she led the Cougars with 33 goals and 12 assists. So far his season, she's leading the Fredericksburg area with 11 goals.

Blosser isn't the only Courtland girls soccer player who's making college decisions.

Berry said senior Lauren McCoy, who signed with Villanova, may reopen her recruitment after Wildcats coach Ann Clifton resigned in January and was replaced by John Byford the following month.

Crooks out, Race in

Former Courtland assistant Kevin Race has been selected by Chancellor to replace girls basketball coach Rod Crooks, who recently announced his resignation

"I'm stepping down," Crooks said. "It's time."

Crooks, who led Chancellor for the past six seasons, said this past year when the Chargers finished 6-17 overall and 2-8 in the Battlefield was one of the toughest he's ever endured. Chancellor had very little depth and had to play without promising freshman Mia Fortune, who suffered a knee injury early in the season.

"I've coached 89 teams over the past 26 years and this last one was very tough," Crooks said. "I had great girls, but when it came down to competing and getting it done on the floor, we could not get it done."

Crooks said Race should be the perfect fit for Chancellor because he's young and energetic. He said Fortune's return along with a few newcomers should give the program a lift.

"This program needs a punch in the arm," Crooks said. "It needs a young, athletic coach and I think they accomplished that."

Crooks will remain Chancellor's volleyball coach.

Foxes still hunting

King George has interviewed several candidates to fill its vacant football coach position.

However, Foxes athletic director John Spiak said an announcement on the new coach won't be made until mid-May. The Foxes are seeking a replacement for ex-head coach Bill Dignan, who resigned last month after three seasons.

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com

Date published: 4/23/2008