By Matthew Hatfield

Correspondent

The Nansemond River Warriors were among a handful of football teams to spend some of their summer break preparing for the 2015 football season at Old Dominion University’s Team Camp.

The Warriors logged three hours a day at ODU from July 16 to 18, going over instruction from coaches and facing different teams from around the Hampton Roads area to see how they compare.

With a host of key players back on both sides of the ball, there’s plenty of optimism for the second year under coach David Coccoli as the team seeks its first winning season since 2002.

“It’s always good when you can put your helmet and shoulder pads on and actually get a little contact,” Coccoli said. “We’ve done a lot of 7-on-7’s this summer and have improved drastically, but getting your shoulder pads on is a little different feel.”

Offensively, the focal point will be the running game, with three tailbacks sharing the load in seniors Terrence Lambert, Jonas Jones and JeVon Waller.

“All three of them are special, and all three of these kids have dedicated themselves in the off-season,” Coccoli said. “Terrence and JeVon have both put on 15 pounds, and Jonas has put on 25 pounds.”

The starting quarterback position is still to be determined. Senior Chris Henderson took snaps under center during the camp and should head into practice as one of the candidates for the job.

Whoever is throwing the ball will have talented targets in seniors Josh Covington, Marquis “M.D.” Braimer and Colby Williams, as well as Gerard Stringer, a sophomore Coccoli feels has a lot of upside.

“He’s only going to be a sophomore, and the sky’s the limit for him,” Coccoli added of Stringer.

Virginia Tech commit Thomas Hopple and fellow senior Deondre Lacey, who started every game last year, anchor the offensive line.

Coccoli is excited about the addition of Stan Sexton, who will be coaching the line and linebackers, to his staff. Sexton previously coached Phoebus and Warwick.

“Having a guy that’s won five state titles doesn’t hurt. I coached with Stan 10 years ago, and we’ve been friends ever since,” Coccoli said. “The kids love him, they have a good rapport with him as a state championship coach would, and he brings us some valuable knowledge, for sure.”

Nine starters return defensively, led by senior linebacker Demetrius Stitmon. According to Coccoli, he’s drawing interest from various colleges.

On the defensive line, Lacey will be an integral figure at defensive end and likewise for junior Dia Gray, one of the area’s best wrestlers, at defensive tackle. In the secondary, Waller at corner and Braimer at safety give them a couple of mainstays.

The Warriors feel they made progress during the camp, and that bodes well for them heading into August.

“I think we’re getting better. We have a long way to go, and playing in the Southeastern District is always tough,” Coccoli said.

“We have a lot of returners, but we also have a lot of young kids we’re trying to build some depth with, and that’s why we came out here. We want to run the ball and be physical, and if we can do that, we’re going to be OK.”

The Warriors open their season Aug. 28 against Menchville at Todd Stadium in Newport News.