Following a coaching change at the end of the 2022-2023 season, the Clover Hill Cavaliers football team embarked on a season marked by both setbacks and moments of promise. Under the leadership of new head coach Gerald Glasco, the team faced a tough start, losing its first six games of the season.

Despite these early struggles, the Cavaliers remained resilient, continuing to work hard in practice and demonstrating unwavering determination. Quarterback sophomore Luke Kincaid applauded the team’s unwavering spirit.

“We’re looking forward to the rest of our season despite the hate,” Kincaid said. “We are staying together and working to pull through the rest of the season.”

In their Sept. 29 matchup against the Midlothian High School, the Cavaliers fell 44-8. However, the team’s fighting spirit shone through in the fourth quarter with a touchdown run by senior Sean McCray and a two-point conversion that narrowed the deficit. Senior Xavier Turner, a center and linebacker, was recognized for his outstanding performance, earning MaxPreps Player of the Game honors with 5.5 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Cavaliers’ Oct. 6 game against Monacan produced their highest-scoring game of the season, with three touchdowns, two of which were scored by senior Nick Thornton. As the team prepared for their homecoming game against Richmond School of the Arts, the players, including Senior tackle CJ Brooks, were eager to showcase their hard work and dedication.

“We’ve put that work in all year,” Brooks said. “I’m looking forward to [winning] the homecoming game.”

The homecoming game marked a turning point for the Cavaliers, as they secured their first victory of the season, shutting out the Bulldogs 21-0. The team’s dominant performance was led by McCray and Thorton, who combined for all three touchdowns.

The junior varsity (JV) team also enjoyed a strong end to the season, finishing 5-5 but winning five out of their last six games. Their recent success has injected optimism into the program’s future.

“It’s a process, we have a new coach and everyone’s still adjusting to the new coach,” Brooks said. “But in the next few years, we’re going to be really good because JV is better.”

The JV team’s late-season surge is a testament to their dedication and hard work at practice. Despite the inexperience of many JV players, sophomore defensive end Owen Powell demonstrated exceptional talent and growth throughout the season. Powell witnessed the team’s development firsthand.

“A lot of us [have] never played football before,” Powell said. “We had to rebuild a team and we got a lot better.”

As the Cavaliers head into the offseason, they are brimming with ambition and lofty goals. Offseason training has already commenced for many players, and expectations are high for 2024. With this young team’s continuous improvement, victories are within reach.