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Ex-QB Whitley returns to Packers

By Jason Jordan| jjordan@dailypress.com

After what Smithfield coach Chris Fraser called "an unfortunate situation in the beginning," Damien Whitley has returned to the Packers after pondering a transfer. He will make his debut Sept. 21 when they host Tabb.

Whitley had yet to enroll this year while pondering a transfer.

He played quarterback for the Packers last season, but Fraser said he will use Whitley as a multi-purpose player. Randall Privette is the quarterback this season.

"He'll play in the secondary, at running back and some quarterback," Fraser said.
"It was unanimous and everyone wanted him out there helping us out. Everybody deserves a second chance. I'm excited about it."

The Packers also picked up Jordan Ricks, a 5-foot-9, 300-pound transfer from Phoebus who was a part of the Phantoms' state Division 5 title last season.

"He played junior-varsity last year and they brought him up for the playoffs," Fraser said. "He should help us on the line. Knowing that he came from Phoebus and knowing the kind of coaching he got there, he's got to have some potential."

RESPECTING WARHILL

After York squandered a lead and ultimately lost its opener, 14-7, to New Kent, coach Doug Pereira said the Falcons won't be sleeping on Warhill when they head to the Williamsburg area to face the first-year Lions.

"We would like to build some confidence in this game, but we definitely don't take Warhill lightly," Pereira said. "I don't care what's happened in the first two weeks, they have showed some signs that they can do some damage."

Coming off of a bye week, Pereira said that the Falcons' offensive line has been working hard to fine-tune kinks and the team has worked on playing hard from the beginning to the end.

"What happened in the New Kent game was that we came out hard and allowed it to slip away," Pereira said. "I think New Kent would admit the same thing.

That's the big thing. We just want to play hard the whole game. I know Warhill hasn't scored yet, but we definitely won't be taking them lightly."

CLIPPERS ALTER PRACTICE DUE TO INJURIES

Grafton coach Kevin Montini cut back on some of his hitting drills because the Clippers are so banged up.

Running back Kyle Pelchy is questionable with a foot injury, running back Brad Cibrin will miss his second week after suffering a concussion in the opener against Tabb, and linebackers Shane Mansfield and John Bayse have broken fingers. The Clippers already had lost defensive back Matt Dent for the year after he reinjured his shoulder during the preseason.

"We didn't cut back our individual period of hitting because our tackling is atrocious," Montini said. "But you've got to give and take in this situation, so we took away from the team hitting drills."