High School Notebook: Eagles lose top players

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

Fredericksburg Christian School has enjoyed the benefits of transfers the past two seasons.

But this summer, Eagles coach Darren Berkley has been forced to deal with two defections of his own.

Fredericksburg Christian starters Eric Shaw and Trey Rowser are both headed to Middleburg Academy for their senior seasons, Berkley said.

Shaw, a versatile 6-foot-6 forward, was the Delaney Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year and a second-team All-Area selection last season.

Rowser, a 6-foot-1 point guard, was a two-year starter for the Eagles, who also benefited from the arrival of C.D. Hylton transfer and Maryland rising freshman Seth Allen two years ago.

“There’s no ill will,” Berkley said. “These are tough losses, but it’s part of the deal of private schools.”

Shaw transferred to FCS from North Stafford before last school year. Rowser began his career at Mountain View.

Rowser’s uncle, Craig Booth, who steered both players to FCS, was recently hired as the head coach at Middleburg. Booth previously served as Shaw’s youth-league coach.

“I guess it’s easy come, easy go,” Berkley said.

Berkley said both players are receiving interest from lower-level Division I colleges. FCS defeated Middleburg twice last season, and Berkley said they’ll play again this winter.

A FORK IN THE ROAD

Former Mountain View football standout Dyquan Stewart is headed to Fork Union Military Academy.

Stewart orally committed to Temple University last summer. He said this week that he didn’t achieve the necessary SAT score for admission to the school.

Stewart said he plans to attend FUMA for one semester and join Temple’s program in January 2013.

Stewart was a first-team All-Area selection last season. He played linebacker and safety for the Wildcats.

He’ll be joined at FUMA by former Brooke Point star Alex Figueroa.

EAGLE COMMITS TO HERD

Colonial Forge rising senior girls soccer standout Sydney Arnold has orally committed to Marshall University, Eagles coach Bronson Gambale said.

Arnold was a first-team all-Commonwealth District selection. She was also first-team all-Northwest Region and All-Area. She amassed 23 goals and 10 assists this past season.

CAVS’ SEARCH IS ON

Caroline will begin interviewing candidates for its athletic-director position on Monday, first-year principal Charles Stevens said.

The Cavaliers are seeking a candidate to replace Jeremy Jack, who recently resigned after one year. Stevens said Caroline’s administration hopes to have its new athletic director in place by Aug. 1.

MILLER PICKS FERRUM

Former Culpeper football standout Chris Miller will play for Ferrum College, Blue Devils coach Mike Williams said.

Miller was named honorable mention all-Battlefield District at defensive end in 2011. He also played tight end for the Blue Devils.

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526

tcoghill@freelancestar.com

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2012/07/04/high-school-notebook-eagles-lose-top-players/