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After finishing the first undefeated regular season in school history, King’s Fork appeared to be on a collision course for an epic battle against another undefeated juggernaut, Maury. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs faltered in the Region semifinals, falling 42-13 to Warwick at home.
Finishing the 2023 campaign an impressive 11-1, King’s Fork puts the Warwick loss in the rearview mirror and has their goals locked in to bring a state title home to Suffolk.
“The biggest thing for us, you know, especially for me as a head coach, is not to focus on other teams, or, you know, what other teams have going on,” head coach Anthony Joffrion said. “I really think we just have to focus on ourselves. At the end of the day, we didn’t get it done last year.”
To get it done in 2024, the Bulldogs will rely on 18 returning starters, with a new group of seniors who have only lost six games in high school and a group of young pups ready to flex their muscles.
“So these seniors, they have a tall task, you know, they’ve only lost six games in high school,” Head Coach Anthony Joffrion said. “Then the young guys got to pick it up, where they [seniors] leave it after they graduate.”
This year’s senior class is the first group with Joffrion since becoming head coach in 2020. Since taking over, Joffrion has led this Bulldog team to an impressive 36-6 record.

OFFENSE
King’s Fork will see many familiar faces returning to an offense that averaged 39 points a game. The majority of the 2024 Bulldog offense either started or played a significant amount of snaps last year, which should offer improved play in the uptempo spread offense.

OFFENSIVE LINE
With a strong running game returning for 2024, the Bulldog offensive line must stand tall in pass protection to help keep opponents on their heels.

QUARTERBACK
Returning quarterback junior D’Andre Artis Boone will continue command of the offense. In 2023, the 6’1” quarterback finished the season with a rating of 114.1, passing for 1,648 yards and 21 touchdowns, with 460 yards on the ground. Boone will also help anchor the Bulldog secondary.

RUNNING BACK
The Bulldogs’ ground game is where they look to wear down opposing defenses early, with NCAA Division I prospect senior Javon Ford carrying the ball. Ford found the endzone 25 times and amassed 1,490 yards on 194 carriers in 2023. Much of the Bulldog’s offensive success can be attributed to Ford’s vision and ability to hit the gaps decisively with the power to move a pile in short-yardage situations.

WIDE RECEIVERS
On the outside, the Bulldogs have a talented group of receivers ready to take the top off opposing defenses. Third-year starter Denosh Rodgers looks to stretch the field for Artis-Boone. Rodgers was one of several receivers who eclipsed 300 yards in the passing game in 2023. Also on the edges are Zydar’eyus Wynn and Jahmel Mackey, who hauled in over 40 passes for 700 yards and eight scores last season. Speed and length will create matchup problems for most of King’s Fork’s opponents this season.

DEFENSE
The King’s Fork defense leads the team in intensity. Look for this year’s squad to turn up that intensity as it looks to bring home a state title. The stingy 2023 Bulldogs gave up only 17 points per game, with their largest total coming at the hands of Warwick (42) in the Region 5 semifinals. The Bulldog defense lived in the opponent’s backfield last year, racking up 33 sacks.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line is led by another NCAA Division I prospect, Joshua Pittman, who stands 6’3” and 220 lbs and has been in the King’s Fork program since eighth grade. Pittman will have some help this year as 6’4”, 305 lbs. Shimyael Holt comes to The Fork from crosstown rival Nansemond River. Senior Justin Irby will also play a significant role in the unit’s success. On the ends, the Bulldogs will look to Khalil Key and Dereon Knight to disrupt opposing offenses.

LINEBACKERS
The linebacking corps is led by senior Brandon Jeune and welcomes a pair of transfers. Former Kecoughtan Warrior Ernest Jones and former Western Branch Bruin Joey Applewhite will help fill the gaps to stop the run.

SECONDARY
In the secondary, Artis-Boone will get the nod at free safety and four-year starter Zachary Walton will play the free safety spot. Reginald Davis and Karl Arline Jr. will round out a secondary that will look to lock down the backend of the Bulldog defense and protect against the deep ball.

King’s Fork will kick off the 2024 season at home against Churchland this Friday.