ALL-STARS: Bailey Alters Routine Without Former QB

HAMPTON, Va. — Tyler Bailey admitted to feeling a bit strange.

On the surface, everything appeared fine as the Abingdon High School graduate refined his passing routes under the omnipresent Hampton Roads heat.

Something was missing, however. And that something was vital.

“It’s a lot different without my quarterback,” Bailey said. “I’ve played with the game guy since eighth grade. We just had a connection.”

That guy is Adam Henderson, a powerful 5-foot-10, 170-pounder who passed for 5,700 yards and 56 touchdowns for the Falcons. Henderson will play football at Bridgewater this fall.

“Adam was my quarterback from eighth grade on up,” Bailey said. “ I would love to have him up here with me.”

The 6-foot, 185-pound Bailey will be among the Southwest Virginia athletes competing for the West in Friday’s Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star football game at famed Darling Stadium.

Bailey compiled one of the most impressive All-Star resumes. In fact, he ranks sixth in Virginia High School League history in yards receiving with 2,728 and ninth in receptions with 148.

Bailey also caught 29 touchdown passes, including a school-record 94-yarder this past season against Southwest District rival Richlands.

“I’m really going to miss high school, but we created some great memories,” Bailey said. “Our senior class formed a tight bond, and that bond grew stronger this past year.

“We had a great season and started some new traditions like walking through the crowd before games while the [Metallica] song “Enter Sandman” played over the public address system. Those are good memories.”

On the down side, Bailey was forced to adjust to three head coaches and endure a number of close losses. The setbacks included a bitter 20-14 setback to SWD champion and eventual Group AA, Division 3 state runner-up Richlands. Despite a 7-3 record, AHS missed the playoffs.

Ironically, Bailey made the long drive to Virginia’s traffic-clogged coast with Southwest Virginia Defensive Player of the Year Austin Fuller from Richlands.

“I met Austin in my junior year, and we’ve maintained a friendship,” Bailey said. “We spent last Friday in Giles — just swimming, kayaking, grilling hamburgers and having fun on the New River.”

Since Sunday, the focus has been on football as two former rivals returned to the grind of two-a-day practices.

“This is a rare opportunity to play against the best players in the state,” Bailey said. “I’ve never seen a game at Darling Stadium, and I don’t know much about the players on the East team.

“I do know that the West hasn’t won this game in a while. The East has a lot of quickness, but we want that big W.”

Bailey, who is bound for the College of William and Mary, is eager to compare his skills in a history-rich series which annually features a mix of NCAA Division I and smaller college signees.

Football coaches from several major college coaches, such as the University of Virginia, have forbid their recruits from playing in post-season all-star games in recent years.

However, current Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor from Hampton wowed an overflow crowd in last year’s VHSCA game. And Fuller is among a handful of Tech recruits who will play this Friday.

For Bailey, the entire week of practices, meetings and fellowship has been beneficial. Many of the all-stars from both teams are familiar with each other through prospect camps and recruiting visits to college games.

“This is a good chance to see where I’m at in terms of quickness heading into college,” said Bailey, who will likely be designated as a redshirt this fall. “I’ve been running every day, plus I spent some time in the weight room and I caught some passes.”

Naturally, Bailey went to his former quarterback for fine-tuning earlier this summer. Bailey also drove to Virginia Tech to watch Henderson win his second straight Group AA doubles title in tennis.

“Yeah, I threw with Adam a couple days,” said Bailey, who was limited to pinch-running duties for the AHS baseball team due to a shoulder injury. “Adam and I had some great times the past five years. Throwing with him was a great way to prepare for my final high school game.”

The remainder of the Southwest Virginia football contingent includes Powell Valley quarterback Cedric Mitchell, George Wythe receiver Brandon Davis, Virginia High defensive back Daniel Woods, Powell Valley receiver Delmas Lawson, J.I. Burton quarterback Ethan Stewart, Lebanon linebacker Richard Lockridge, Richlands linebacker Shane Wicks, Castlewood defensive lineman Coty Lawson and Chilhowie offensive lineman Aaron Lundy.

Nick Colobro (Gate City), Rick Mullins (Clintwood) and Greg Mance (Richlands) are members of the West coaching staff.

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