ALL-STARS: Fuller, Wicks Eager for Friday Football Action

HAMPTON, Va. — Austin Fuller knows what to expect Friday.

He will be challenged and examined by opposing players, fans and self-appointed gridiron gurus.

Such is the life of a Virginia Tech football recruit.

The 2008 Southwest Virginia Defensive Player of the Year from Richlands will be among the marquee names in the annual Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star football game.

While few athletes from Southwest Virginia have ever seen Darling Stadium, Fuller watched last year’s VHSCA clash from the sidelines. Fuller, who had been visiting relatives in Texas, actually flew in to Hampton on the day of the highly-hyped game.

“I remember Tyrod Taylor from the East team, and how he could do just about anything he wanted,” said Fuller, referring to the current quarterback sensation at Virginia Tech. “The
East usually has the advantage in terms of skill players, but the West has some hard-nosed guys.”

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Fuller certainly qualifies as hard-nosed. Along with linebacker Shane Wicks, Fuller guided Richlands to three straight Group AA, Division 3 state title berths.

As a senior, Fuller caught 57 passes for 852 yards while rushing for 408 yards. The two-time all-state pick scored 16 touchdowns, yet his biggest contribution may have been on defense where he intercepted seven passes and was a constant force at free safety.

The 6-1, 230-pound Wicks, who is headed to Emory & Henry, will also compete for the West Friday.

Both Richlands All-Stars share the same basic goal – stop the three-game winning streak by the East.

“Some people say that the score of this game doesn’t mean anything, but there’s a lot of pride involved,” Fuller said. “We want to win.”

The All-Star bash has lost some of its luster in recent years as an increasing number of coaches from NCAA Division I schools have declined to let their recruits compete. Some All-
Star selections have also opted for summer school or early enrollment.

For example, Virginia High football star Randy White is already in school at the University of North Carolina.

Five Virginia Tech recruits were picked for Friday’s game, including three for the East squad.

“There are definitely some good players up here, but I’m not worried about getting hurt,” Fuller said. “I just want to fly around, hit some people and have some fun.”

Richlands head football coach Greg Mance, who will coach for the West, should have plenty of fun watching his star pupils. Mance is actually Fuller’s stepfather.

Over the past four years, Richlands has posted an overall record of 49-6 with four district and regional titles along with a state championship.

“Shane and Austin have played a big part in that,” Mance said. “They are both excellent football players. This All-Star game is a fitting reward.”

According to the Richlands coach, Wicks was a recruited walk-on at Virginia Tech.

“I really thought Shane would try that option, but he wants to play linebacker and be a deep snapper at Emory,” Mance said.

Fuller said he is anxious to watch the passionate Wicks compete against the talent-stacked East squad.

Wicks earned a degree of national fame last season when his collision against a Hidden Valley player in the state semifinals became a sensation on the video file-sharing site You Tube.

“That was one of the best hits I’ve ever seen,” Fuller said. “The helmet of the Hidden Valley guy flies off and the ball goes up in the air.

“Shane was the heart and soul of our team. He tore the ACL in his knee midway through this past season, then came back in the second half of our next game and played great.”

The former Richlands stars spent the past few weeks preparing for the biggest post-season stage in Virginia High School football.

Quarterback Justin McCracken, tailback Caleb Jennings and linebacker Brett Clayburne represented Richlands in last year’s All-Star game.

“This will be an early test for college,” Fuller said. “I’ll probably be working at safety or rover, and hopefully I will get to play some offense. I just want to have fun.”

As for Virginia Tech, Fuller is taking the patient approach.

“A lot will depend on how I do in the preseason,” Fuller said. “A redshirt season would be fine since I’ve already got my scholarship. We’ll just wait and see what happens.”

And many folks will be anxious to see what happens with Fuller Friday.

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544