Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
In a clear indicator of the inroads Danny Rocco would like to carve in Central Virginia, Monticello three-sport star Mike Brown confirmed with The Daily Progress on Sunday evening that he had verbally committed to Rocco's Liberty Flames for the 2007 football season.
Brown, a second-team All Jefferson District selection at quarterback, who posted 1,400 passing yards this season with 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions, chose Liberty over scholarship offers from Richmond and Wyoming. William and Mary also showed late interest but had yet to offer a scholarship as of Sunday.
"I felt like I fit in with their offensive [structure]," said Brown, a reigning second-team All-Central Virginia selection under center. "They run pretty much the same offense we do with the shotgun sets and the spread formations. They also bootleg and have the their quarterbacks play under center. It's a balanced attack that I feel comfortable playing in."
Brown, who indicated he was recruited as a quarterback first, credited Rocco's proactive recruiting style as a major influence on his decision.
"Coach Rocco was a great recruiter," Brown said. "He was really honest. He let me know everything upfront. [Rocco] was a big reason I picked Liberty. I've heard a lot of good things about him."
Rocco, a former associate head coach at Virginia under Al Groh, transformed the Flames from a Big South Conference doormat to a legitimate football product through a staunch defense that set five conference records, including scoring defense (15.6), fewest TDs allowed (22) and shutouts (3).
Liberty University, which limped to a 1-10 record in 2005, finished 6-5 in Rocco's first season in Lynchburg.
Rocco, who placed 14 players on the Big South first and second teams, was named the 2006 conference coach of the year.
"They did a great job recruiting him. They gave Mike a lot of personal attention. I know Coach Rocco visited Mike in his home, and they also sent three difference coaches to see him as well," said Monticello coach Brud Bicknell, who has coached Brown for four years.
"They're going to give him a chance to play quarterback, and from what I understand, Mike has a good chance to play, if not next year, then the year after that."
On an evening that epitomized everything that’s right about high school athletics, the Falcon Club recognized St. Anne’s-Belfield senior Colin Pehanick and Monticello senior Mike Brown as its football players of the year Sunday evening in its 52nd annual sports banquet held at the Elk’s Lodge off of Route 20.
Falcon Club President Craig Travis said the last time his organization named co-MVPs was following the 2003 football season when Western Albemarle senior Bryan Lescanec and Monticello senior Joseph Sanford shared the honor.
“Through shear statistics and accomplishments alone, Colin was not a difficult choice,” Travis said. “With Mike Brown, coach Brud Bicknell really gave a sterling endorsement for what he meant to Monticello football. That was enough for us.”
Mike Brown, who recently announced his full scholarship commitment to Danny Rocco’s Liberty University football team, earned first-team All-Central Virginia and Region II honors as a safety after leading the Mustangs in tackles last season. Brown also posted five tackles for a loss, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception on the year.
“This award means a lot to me,” said Brown, a humble four-year varsity player who blossomed under Bicknell’s tutelage. “I didn’t expect it because my stats this year weren’t as good as my sophomore or junior years. This is a real surprise, but I’m extremely grateful of the honor.”
Brown, who was named second-team All-Jefferson District and honorable mention all-CVa at quarterback, finished the season 81 of 148 passing for 1,255 yards with 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
“A lot of people think Mike Brown has been playing football since Monticello has been open ¾ well, it’s close,” Bicknell joked in a speech before also naming Brown the Mustangs’ MVP. “I don’t know what we’re going to do without him. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to coach another guy like Mike, but I hope another [player] comes down the line like him.”
- By Dalegarz1
- By Purple Haize