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It was just bad luck. Last year, the Randolph-Henry Statesmen coaching staff saw positives heading into the season. They saw young players taking a next step and upperclassmen stepping into leadership roles. Overall, Coach Ray Conner was encouraged by what he saw. And then the injuries hit. It wasn’t just one or two. Multiple players in key roles went down early in the year and didn’t return, putting the games on the shoulders of very young competitors. Those injuries also took away the team’s depth, leaving them shorthanded at times en route to a 1-9 finish. 

It’s hard losing one starter in a high school football season. Losing two is a challenge. But lose three or more, like the Statesmen did, and it completely changes things. You have to restructure game plans, as the replacement players often have different skillsets. There are some plays you can’t run anymore and new ones you have to draw up, to play to the strengths of the new starters. 

“To be honest, last year we just started off with numerous injuries and we never fully recovered,” Conner said. “Guys who played game one or game two couldn’t make it the rest of the way.” 

Cameron Sizemore suited up as both a tailback and middle linebacker, so it was almost like losing two players at once. The same goes for Colton Mann. The junior played both wide receiver and outside linebacker, meaning that the Statesmen lost a blocker on one side and a key part of the defense on the other. Malachi Gamble was a wide receiver and a defensive back.

Some benefits from last year 

But the benefit of all that is now you have a much deeper Randolph-Henry team, with younger players that have game experience. That, combined with players moving up to the varsity, gives the Statesmen some depth that just didn’t exist last season. 

“The guys I have returning are definitely my leaders this year, taking larger roles,” Conner said. “I can’t say enough about what it means, having a healthy team. Having that depth just puts us in a better position. We can give players a rest, we can use depth we didn’t have before, so I feel like we’re in better shape.” 

Beyond just adding depth, Conner said he’s been impressed in practice with what the younger players are bringing to the table. There’s a good chance plenty of them will see significant playing time. 

“We have a good core group of young guys, ready to step up and play this year,” Conner said. 

Conner also praised some players who have taken on a variety of roles and others who are transitioning to new positions on the field. 

One of those players Conner singled out is Aviaire Jennings. Pulling double duty in 2022 as both tight end and running back, Jennings took on a larger role in the running game last season. Now he steps behind center in a different way, as quarterback for the Statesmen. Mann also returns, as both linebacker and receiver for this year’s squad. 

“At this point, I feel comfortable now and I really think this group could get us back on track,” Conner said. 

Statesmen say thanks 

And beyond the team itself, Conner said he couldn’t thank the Randolph-Henry community enough for how they’ve stuck with the team through the good and the bad. He said people may not realize what having them continue to show up and cheer meant for the team through what they were going through in 2023 and what that continued support means now. Armed with a healthy team and ready to go, Conner said the Statesmen are coming to compete this season. 

“We feel like there are some things we left out last year,” Conner said. “We’re better this time. We’re ready to get to work.” 

The Statesmen start this season off on the road, playing James River High on Friday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

For more from this year’s High School Fall Sports Preview, just click here.