Best of the 757

The sun was out early and plenty of the top football players in Hampton Roads and from around the Commonwealth shined throughout the day at the Best of the 757 Camp and Combine at Christopher Newport University on Saturday afternoon.?Approximately 250 athletes participated in the much anticipated event, which featured drills ran by area High School Football coaches, one-on-one battles to further showcase their skills and 7 x 7 competition to cap the day-long activities.

NIKR SPARQ training that included the usual testing such as the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, agility shuttle run and power ball toss served as a barometer to athletes to see where they stack up with one another.

Finishing with the top NIKE SPARQ score at 97.02 was Kecoughtan's Aaron Matthews.? He wasn't the only one that impressed though, as a total of 20 athletes were named to the All-Camp Team.? Among them were recognizable names like Cox offensive lineman and University of Virginia commit Ross Burbank as well as Phoebus linebacker Caleb Taylor, also a D-I talent.

Area coaches were thrilled to see the event come to fruition.? They were excited to be part of the combine/camp and see great potential for it beyond this year.

"This has been great.? I'd like to see more of them in the future," said Western Branch Head Football Coach Scott Johnson.? "We don't have the combines that we used to in the past.? It allows kids to come out, they're able to perform and it gives them an idea of where they stand compared to other kids.? You can do what you want in your own weight room and other weight rooms, too. ?They know some of the other kids that are here, now they get to see that kid perform and they say to themselves, 'well that kid did this, I need to do this.' ?It's really a good motivational factor and measuring stick."

Johnson's coaching counterpart, Martin Asprey, Head Coach of Southeastern District and Chesapeake rival Grassfield, agreed wholeheartedly.

"This is awesome.? We have some phenomenal athletes in this area.? The kids like to do things.?There are only so many video games you can play, so much MySpace you can listen to and just so much of those things to do," remarked Asprey.

Martin Asprey was one of several coaches that helped run drills during the Best of the 757

"What frustrated me the most was when we decided not to have the combines at the High Schools anymore and the whole reason was for the colleges to come.? That's what these kids want to play.? Whether you're at CNU, Ferrum, Notre Dame, Nebraska, UVA, Virginia Tech, these guys come down and watch.? Since the NCAA put that rule in effect that college coaches can't be on the same campus as of the players, it kind of has pigeon-holed us. ?We don't have spring ball and I hope that is something that the state legislative and VHSL will change, just from the simple reasons of it may help reduce concussions."?

Along with Asprey and Johnson, area Head Coaches Rich Morganof Oscar Smith, Phoebus' Stan Sexton, Indian River's Cadillac Harris, Joe Jones from King's Fork and Atlantic Shores' Wayne Lance stayed busy running the drills smoothly without any major hiccups. ??

"For this event to take place, I think it's going to helpVirginiaPreps grow, help our 757 grow and we're on the cornerstone of one of the top recruiting states already," addedAsprey. ?"You bring in something like this where these kids can look forward to, it's really something special."?

John Cunningham and the folks from the Best of the 757 aren't only putting together an event with football players.? A Basketball Showcase will be held on September 18 at the Boo WilliamsSportsplex in Hampton and a Baseball Showcase on October 23.

Not only did the Best of the 757 put athletes through tests and drills and give them exposure with many media members watching intently, but it was a full fledged community event.? Several partners to the Best of the 757 in addition to VirginiaPreps.com made their presence felt, specifically 7 Cities Sports, Powerade, ESPN Radio 94.1 with three hours of morning broadcast coverage, Cox Channel 11, Playmaker Report Recruiting, Tidewater Physical Therapy, TowneBankand U.S. Air Force among others.

"You guys even did good with the weather," quipped Johnson.

There simply was no raining on the festivities, making the Best of the 757 quite a memorable experience for all involved.

Best of the 757 All-Camp Offense by Rod Johnson
Best of the 757 All-Camp Defense by Rod Johnson
Best of the 757 Photo Feature by Will Garlick
Best of the 757 Prospect Watch by Matthew Hatfield

*** Look for more reports from the event coming soon! ***

Matthew Hatfield has covered Eastern Region Football & Basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com - the #1 High School Sports Site on the Rivals Network.? Check out Hatfield's website - www.matthewhatfield.com - for more on the pro and college sports scene.? To contact Matthew, please e-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and catch him every Saturday at 11AM with Rod Johnson during the VirginiaPreps.com Hour on ESPN Radio 94.1.