Pennix & Copeland, Appomattox Raider’s Dynamic Duo
Brothers In Arms
Jonathan Pennix and Tavorian Copeland have been best friends for years. They met in middle school, where they both played football for the Appomattox Raiders. They were teammates on the field and bonded over their shared love of the game.
Now, they are both seniors for the Raiders and help each other out on and off the field. When one of them is having a tough day, the other is there to lift their spirits. They are always cheering each other on and celebrating each other's successes.
Their friendship has helped them both become better football players and has made the Appomattox Raiders one of the strongest teams in the league.
The Season Opener
In the season opener against the Knights, the Appomattox Raiders got off to a slow start in their game against the Buckingham Knights, but they quickly picked up the pace early in the first quarter by making the necessary adjustments on defense which led to a 37-24 victory for the Raiders.
Tavorian Copeland, #3
Senior linebacker Tavorian Copeland, #3, set the tone for the defense with his hustle and tenacious play. However, Copeland went down with a minor injury in the second quarter. The natural-born leader finished the game with 6 key tackles and helped his linebacker core stay in the game by leading from the sideline. The loss of Copeland was a big blow to the Raiders, as he is one of their leaders on defense. However, he is expected to play in their match-up against the Rustburg Red Devils, Friday, September 2nd.
Tavorian Copeland had quite the offseason in regard to his football career. The linebacker/edge rusher received offers from many Division 1 schools, including Virginia Tech, Dartmouth, Yale, and Princeton to name a few. However, he has decided to commit to Virginia Tech to play for coach Brent Pry.
Copeland is excited to join the Hokies and compete at the highest level of college football. He believes that Virginia Tech is the best fit for him and he is eager to get started with his new team.
This is a huge commitment for Copeland and he is sure to make an impact on the Virginia Tech football program. We can't wait to see what he does on the field this season!
Jonathan Pennix, #4
Jonathan Pennix is one of the fastest running backs in the state of Virginia. The Appomattox High School senior has been clocked at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Pennix is also one of the most elusive runners in the state of Virginia. He has a knack for making defenders miss in the open field.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound speedster has helped lead Appomattox to many victories in the past seasons. Friday night against the Buckingham Knights, Pennix rushed for 194 yards on only five carries and also had 47 receiving yards to cap the night off. He helped the Raiders come away with the victory by putting up 4 touchdowns. Pennix’s longest touchdown run of the night was 76 yards. He truly is the life of the Raider’s offensive attack.
Jonathan Pennix has been one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. He has received offers from some of the top programs in the country, including Boston College, Virginia, West Virginia, Penn State, and more. Pennix will announce his commitment decision on October 13th of this year.
Tavorian Copeland and Jonathan Pennix will go down in Appomattox history. The dynamic duo helped lead the Raiders to victory against the Buckingham Knights in their season opener. Copeland’s agility and speed were a spark on defense, and Pennix’s offensive prowess helped Appomattox put up points. They are truly all-around athletes and excellent leaders. Come out Friday, September 2nd at 7 pm to the Raiders faceoff against the Rustburg Red Devils.
Led By Coach Doug Smith
Doug Smith is a great high school football coach of the Appomattox Raiders. He has led Copeland and Pennix to state championships and has developed them into leaders. Coach Smith is a demanding coach who expects his players to be disciplined and to work hard. He is also a fair coach who treats his players with respect. Coach Smith has instilled in his players a love for the game of football, the desire to win, and most of all, the love for Christ.
