Former Monticello standout ready to run against No. 19 West Virginia
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Posted By: HBCU Connect Sports on September 18, 2011 Credit: Courtesy of Norfolk State
Former Monticello running back Takeem Hedgeman and Norfolk State face No. 19 West Virginia on Saturday in Morgantown.
Takeem Hedgeman[1] remembers the days of domination at Monticello High School[2]. The 5-foot-10 running back[3] set a VHSL state record with 51 touchdowns as a senior and led the Mustangs, along with coach[4] Brud Bicknell[5], to their first Group AA Division 3 state title in 2007. My time with Coach[6] Bicknell[7] was great, said Hedgeman[8], who is now a running back at Norfolk State[9]. It [MHS] was just a great environment and a great place to grow up. We were all like a big family. That helped us out a lot on the field. The list of honors is impressive for the former Virginiapreps.com Group[10] AA State Player[11] of the Year. With his name known throughout the Central Virginia as one of the top local running backs ever produced, the Norfolk State junior hopes to create lasting memories this weekend as the Spartans travel to face No. 19 West Virginia[12] on Saturday in Morgantown[13]. The Mountaineers are coming off a 34-13 win over in-state rival Marshall[14], where they only gave up 72 yards on the ground. Despite the fact, Hedgeman[15] is still very confident. I think we will be able to run on them, Hedgeman[16] said. I think weve got to get downhill, a lot. They have great team speed. I think if we stick to our game plan, we will be able to run the ball on them. Hedgeman[17] has waited three years to become the featured back for the Spartans. He proved he could handle the workload in the teams first game, finishing with over 100 yards in a 37-3 win over Virginia State. It feels good [to be a big part of the offense], he said. I feel like I can get my hands on the ball more. I can make some things happen for the team. The former Mustang had 104 total yards, with 65 coming on the ground, on 16 touches in the opening win. More importantly [than the rushing statistics], he had four catches, Norfolk State coach[18] Pete Adrian[19] said during Tuesdays MEAC teleconference. Two of those were for first downs. He is an explosive runner, a cut-back runner[20]. He can kind of do it all. He is one of those guys that, if he gets a step, he can take it all way. Bicknell[21], who is now the coach[22] at Patriot High in Nokesville[23], credits Hedgeman[24] for waiting his turn. He has been in a tough situation the past three years in that Norfolk [State] had a very good back who was significantly bigger than Takeem[25], Bicknell[26] said. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but this should definitely be his breakout year. With the showdown with a FBS Top 25 team just a few days away, Adrian[27] hopes his team is ready for a unique atmosphere. The fans will be rather hostile, Adrian[28] said. For our players, it will be a great experience being in front of 60,000 people. Hedgeman[29] is counting on the majority of those 60,000 to exit the stadium to the cheers of the Norfolk States fans. We are confident, Hedgeman[30] said. At the end of the day, we are all college football[31] players. We want to go out there and give them everything weve got. We are not going in there thinking we are going to lose the football[32] game. That is not acceptable." Regardless of the outcome, Bicknell[33] has confidence in his former star. I think he is on the verge of becoming a top back in the MEAC, Bicknell[34] said. References
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