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April 14, 2023 FUMA Athletics Newsletter

The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.

Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.

Contents:

  • PG Basketball's Chris Cochran Signs with Columbia International University
  • FUMA Athletics Recap
  • Feature Stories: Track & Field, Prep Baseball and Lacrosse
  • Silas Dzansi Waited His Turn. Now the NFL Beckons.
  • Up Next in FUMA Athletics
  • Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?

PG Basketball's Chris Cochran Signs with Columbia International University

FORK UNION, VA – Chris Cochran of the Fork Union Military Academy PG basketball program signed with Columbia International University this past week. Cochran is in his final week at Fork Union Military Academy and will join the Rams in the fall.

“It was great to have Chris at Fork Union,” said head coach Bob Williams. “He really improved as the season went along. Chris is a 6-foot-8, stretch forward and shot the ball well. Being at Fork Union toughened him up and he was able to develop some footwork inside with some post moves. I’m excited to follow Chris’ college career at Columbia International!”

Cochran is a 6-foot-8 forward from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and is the son of Stephanie and Timothy Cochran. In 28 games this season, Cochran averaged 42.4 in field goal percentage, 35.5 from behind the arc, 56 percent from the line and 4.6 rebounds per game.

“Chris turned down some pretty good offers from Millersville University and College of Staten Island,” added Williams. “Columbia International’s Christian mission was the best fit for him. They are getting a good kid and a hard worker.”

Congratulations, Chris!

Scores from the past two weeks:

Tuesday, April 4

  • Prep Lacrosse vs. Benedictine College Prep • L, 6-13
  • Junior Prep Baseball at CVHAA Patriots • L, 1-14
  • Golf at Woodberry Forest School • L, 213-172

Wednesday, April 5

  • Track & Field at Collegiate School • No Team Score

Thursday, April 6

  • Prep Lacrosse vs. New Covenant School • Canceled

Tuesday, April 11

  • Prep Baseball vs. Collegiate School • L, 2-12

Wednesday, April 12

  • Track & Field at Collegiate Middle School Invitational • No Team Score
  • Golf vs. Blue Ridge School • L, 213-200
  • Prep Baseball at Grace Christian School • W, 10-1

Thursday, April 13

  • Tennis at Blue Ridge School • L, 0-9

Friday, April 14

  • Prep Baseball at Collegiate School • Postponed

Track & Field Shines at Collegiate Mini Meets

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

RICHMOND, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy outdoor track and field program shined at two mini meets at the Collegiate School this past week. The varsity program competed at Collegiate on Wednesday, April 5, prior to the middle school team this past Wednesday.

In the varsity meet, Fork Union recorded 18 top-5 performances, including four gold medals. Harry Momolu won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.05, while Charles Campbell won the 400-meter with a time of 51.20. In the field events, Dreylan Creasy won the high jump, clearing six feet, while Jonie Ansah won the shot put, throwing 43-03.00.

In addition to Campbell, Jackson Edwards followed the fellow senior in the 400-meter with a time of 52.76 to place third.

In the shot put, Ahmad Shah took second with a throw of 41-07.00 and Daouda Niang placed fourth with a throw of 41-01.00. Niang also took second in the discus with a 114-03 performance.

Momolu added to his gold medal day with a second-place showing in the 200-meter with a time of 23.95.

This past Wednesday, Fork Union traveled five Blue Devils to the Collegiate Middle School Invitational where eighth-grader David Eaton won the 1600-meter with a time of 5:04.32. He placed fourth a week ago at the high school meet with a time of 4:58.33.

Eighth-grader Ronan Montes won the 300-meter with a time of 47.86. He also placed fourth at the high school meet with a time of 46.37.

The Blue Devils return to action when they travel to the Kellie Wells Track Classic Saturday, April 15 at 10 a.m.

Seventh Inning Plays Key Role in Fork Union’s Blow Out Over Grace Christian

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

STUARTS DRAFT, VA – Fork Union Military Academy’s Prep baseball team defeated Grace Christian School, 10-1, this past Wednesday thanks to a timely seven runs in a big seventh inning. Tucker Miller, Nicholas Willis, Charles Moore, Wesley Lay and Thomas Manganiello each RBIs in the frame.

The Blue Devils pulled away for good with two runs in the fourth inning. Lance Gowans singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run, followed by Lay drawing a walk to score an additional run.

Fork Union notched seven runs in the seventh inning. The Blue Devils’ big bats in the inning were led by singles from Miller, Willis and Moore.

Tyler Manglicmot led things off on the mound for the Blue Devils, allowing seven hits and one run whiles striking out six and walking zero in six innings.

Overall, Fork Union collected nine hits on the day. Gowans and Drew Wade all managed multiple hits for the Blue Devils. Gowans had a great day, going 3-for-3 at the plate.

Fork Union returns to the field Friday, April 14 when the squad travels top-ranked Collegiate School at 4 p.m.

Lenherr, Yates Lead Fork Union Past Fishburne, 17-5

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

WAYNESBORO, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Prep lacrosse team defeated military school rival Fishburne Military School, 17-5, Wednesday night. Seniors Austin Lenherr and Lucas Yates led the team with five goals apiece.

“It’s always great to get back in the win column after a few tough games,” said head coach Chip Chace. “The boys played really well in all phases of the game, and it was good to see the improvement we’ve made since the beginning of the season. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum going into next week.”

Senior James Clarke followed with four goals off of six shots on goal, while Kian Perez, Justin Fraser and Jackson Sereno all found the back of the net for the Blue Devils.

Fork Union came out the gates hot and never looked back after finishing the first quarter with a 6-0 lead. Fishburne collected two goals in the second quarter, but it was not enough to over come the Blue Devil pressure that secured the win.

Daley Adams was impressive in the cage, collecting 11 saves on the day.

The squad returns to action Thursday, April 20 when they host Covenant School for a 4:30 p.m. game.

Please make sure you continue to check the athletic website on a weekly basis, for all game updates.

If you haven't already, please download the Fork Union Athletics Mobile App for all game day information right at your fingertips!

Up Next in FUMA Athletics:

Saturday, April 15

  • Track & Field at Kellie Wells Track Classic (Midlothian) • 10:00 AM

Monday, April 17

  • Tennis vs. Carmel School • 4:00 PM

Tuesday, April 18

  • Prep Baseball at Saint Anne's Belfield • 4:30 PM

Thursday, April 20

  • Golf at Saint Anne's Belfield (Farmington Country Club) • 4:00 PM
  • Prep Lacrosse vs. Covenant School • 4:30 PM

Friday, April 21

  • Prep Baseball vs. Saint Anne's Belfield • 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 22

  • Track & Field vs. Gus Lacy Track Classic • 9:00 AM

Photos from Golf's home match against Blue Ridge School on April 12, 2023.

The Blue Devils were edged 213-200.

FUMA graduate Silas Dzansi Waited His Turn. Now the NFL Beckons.

Silas Dzansi is a 2016 Fork Union Military Academy graduate that played PG football under John Shuman.

Silas Dzansi looked at his Virginia Tech football teammates and wondered whether he belonged on the same field.

It was the summer of 2017, and the Hylton High School graduate felt out of place as he struggled through his first preseason camp with the Hokies.

Future NFL draft picks Tim Settle and brothers Tremaine and Terrell Edmunds stood out to Dzanzi, as did future Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman. They seemed so far ahead of him.

Of Nijman’s physique, Dzansi said, “With his size and his six-pack, he was like a Greek god.”

Dzanzi, meanwhile, barely got by. He felt light-headed and out of shape during the drills. “There was a lot of doubt.”

Dzansi could have quit or transferred to another school. But that wasn’t his style. Instead, he patiently bided his time until good things began to happen.

He noticed the difference during the 2019 preseason. Participating in the Oklahoma drill, where players go one-on-one looking to push the other out of a confined space, Dzansi won more matchups than he lost.

From there, Dzansi gained the confidence to find his footing along the Hokies’ offensive line. It meant playing different positions, battling minor injuries and going through a steep learning curve at times.

But Dzansi put in the work, and as a result he has a chance to play in the NFL. If he’s not selected during the seven-round NFL Draft that runs April 27-29, Dzansi should sign with a franchise as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Either way, he expects to have a shot. And that’s all he asks for – no matter how long it took to get to this point.

“Sometimes you need to wait,” Dzansi said. “Everything will come to light.”

Decision about final season

Dzansi considered pursuing an NFL career a year ago because he was eligible to do so. He talked to his family and coaches about whether he should leave or come back for one more season at Virginia Tech.

“It was definitely a hard decision,” Dzansi said. “Playing five years of college football is not easy and then to come back for a sixth? I could help out my family. It took me a while to decide.”

In the end, Dzansi heeded the advice of NFL scouts, among others, who said they wanted to see him show more consistency by holding a starting spot for the entire season.

He had played every position on the offensive line except center. Dzansi was initially slated as Virginia Tech’s starting left tackle in 2018 before cramping issues kept him out of the Hokies’ season opener. Freshman Christian Darrisaw got the call and stayed there until the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In 2021, Dzansi played in a career-high 12 games, including seven starts. But those starts were at three different positions. While that made him versatile, Dzansi moved around a lot and was in and out of the starting lineup.

The sixth-year senior returned for his final season with the intent of proving to himself and the scouts he could do what they asked of him. The Hokies needed experience and leadership upfront after losing three of their linemen to the NFL.

When Virginia Tech offensive line coach Joe Rudolph arrived in Blacksburg as a member of new head coach Brent Pry’s staff, he believed Dzansi could become an integral contributor.

A team captain, Dzansi filled the void. And for the first time in his college career, the 6-foot-5, 335-pound Dzansi started every game at the same position (left tackle).

“I had more consistent film and I got a chance to be a team captain and teams love that,” Dzansi said. “It was the right decision. I’m not complaining.”

Showcasing his skills

Dzansi’s performance earned him an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January to showcase his skills in front of NFL personnel. During the week, he had the chance to learn under Hall of Fame lineman Jackie Slater.

“It was a good experience to prepare for the next level,” Dzansi said.

His final season at Virginia Tech also earned him a surprise selection as one of 80 players taken in the 10-round USFL Draft Feb. 21.

A couple of days before the draft, Dzansi heard from a scout with the Memphis Showboats who told him they might select him. Training in Tampa in preparation for Virginia Tech’s Pro Day on March 20, Dzansi forgot about the call until he saw a tweet from Memphis listing him as its ninth-round pick.

Dzansi said Memphis reached out to him a week later. The team, whose season opens April 15, understood Dzansi’s first goal is to play in the NFL.

“They told me they want me to pursue that and [they] are a back-up plan,” Dzansi said. “That will be good. If I don’t make it in the NFL, I can go to Memphis, get some film and prove I played in the pros.”

Dzani is used to waiting his turn. He initially committed to Delaware State in high school, but the MEAC program pulled its offer after Dzansi failed to achieve a qualifying score on the SAT.

In high school, Dzansi had size and athleticism (he won InsideNoVa’s Hoops Fest dunk contest as a junior), but he lacked experience. Dzansi joined Hylton’s varsity football team as a sophomore but didn’t become a starter until his senior season, when he replaced all-state lineman and Ohio State signee Matt Burrell Jr. as the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle.

Under head coach Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech made a late push for the then-senior. A week before signing day in 2016, Dzansi met the Hokies’ offensive line coach in Hylton head football coach Tony Lilly’s office. The coach offered Dzansi a scholarship, and he committed right then.

Dzansi first enrolled as a postgraduate student at Fork Union Military Academy to raise his standardized test schools and complete an Algebra II course he needed for admission into Virginia Tech. He enrolled at Virginia Tech in January 2017 to play for Justin Fuente after Beamer retired.

Even though his journey has been a long one with ups and downs, Dzansi said, everything has worked out as planned.

“I doubted myself. There were coaching changes and position changes,” Dzansi said. “It’s great to see this come to fruition.”

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Created By
Kelly Barnette
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Credits:

Kelly Barnette & Kristin Firewicz.