When Mike Zuk was coaching junior varsity in 2013, he knew that a group of eighth graders just starting would have the potential to make a run at some points during their high school careers. Zuk took the head coaching post in 2014 and led the Knights to a 9-10 season. Not bad, considering the core of his team was a junior, four sophomores and a freshman. Now, the Thomas Dale softball team appears to be clicking on all cylinders, as they’ve gotten off to an 8-1 start in 2015. They’ve been a surprise, and have to be considered contenders…

Chester has seen its share of professional athletes. Matoaca had James Farrior, Meadowbrook had Morgan Moses and Brandian Ross currently in the NFL. L.C. Bird has Jason Snelling, Thomas Dale has had four players reach the NFL including William Henderson and Rudi Johnson – but the next athlete to ascend to the pros – look no further than Thomas Dale softball alum Lacey Waldrop, who was drafted as the third pick in the first round of the National Pro Fast pitch (NPF) Softball League draft by the Chicago Bandits. “I’m really excited to know that I won’t have to hang…

Matoaca 2014 Record: 14-4 Lost in 5A South Region quarters to Atlee Key Players: Allie Fitzke, senior, third base; Brooke Flowers, junior, catcher; Katie Higgins, freshman; pitcher Key Losses: Jessica McCabe (JMU), Maya Bailey (Virginia State), Taylor Clark Armed with Fitzke and several other seniors to lead the way, Matoaca begins the Greg Hunt era, following the retirement of long time head coach Scott Driskill. Jessica McCabe, who dominated the area for the better part of three years, is at James Madison University. Replacing her will be Higgins, a freshman. Early returns and reports have been very good, and she’ll…