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Virginia
What to Watch For in the Virginia Football Blue-White Game on Saturday
Virginia’s spring football practices will culminate with the annual Blue-White Game on Saturday at 2pm at Scott Stadium. The UVA roster has been divided into two teams for a four-quarter intrasquad scrimmage (see the rosters here). As the Cavaliers give us a glimpse of what’s to come in the 2024 season, here’s five things to watch for in the Virginia football spring game.
1. Virginia’s Quarterback ‘Situation’
We’re calling it a quarterback situation, as opposed to a quarterback competition as Tony Elliott and Taylor Lamb have done their best to give the impression that there is not a battle going on between Anthony Colandrea and Tony Muskett this spring, despite the fact that both quarterbacks started six games last season and both have been getting first-team reps in spring practice. If there is to be a position battle between Colandrea and Muskett, it will be fought and ultimately decided in fall camp four months from now, but it will still be interesting to see how each quarterback looks in command of UVA’s offense on Saturday. Muskett has made a quick recovery after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of the season, while Colandrea has reportedly looked more and more comfortable orchestrating the offense in his second spring at Virginia. Look for both QBs to make an impression as they go head-to-head in something resembling a ‘real game’ setting.
2. Speaking of Injuries
We mentioned that Tony Muskett has made a fast recovery after he missed the last few games of the season with an ankle injury as well as a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery at the end of the season. But he won’t be the only Cavalier making his return to the field this weekend, as there will be more than a few players eager to see “real” game action on Saturday, including sixth-year safety Antonio Clary, who missed the entire 2023 season with an ankle injury. Many others are still recovering from injuries, including several starting offensive linemen who underwent surgery in the offseason. As usual, the spring game will offer opportunities for nearly every player on the roster to get playing time, but those “next men up” on the depth chart who will get starting reps due to injuries to the players above them stand the most to gain with a good showing. It’ll be interesting to see who is out and who steps up on Saturday, particularly on the offensive line.
3. Breakout Performers?
The spring game can serve as a massive launching point for previously unsung players to build momentum towards carving out a more significant role for themselves come the fall. Last season, it was the young gunslinger Anthony Colandrea who put the entire UVA football community on notice with a dazzling performance in the spring game, completing 18 of his 29 passing attempts for 218 yards and a touchdown and putting his electrifying improvisation abilities outside of the pocket on full display, skills that he went on to show time and time again last season as he shattered the UVA record books for freshmen quarterbacks. The season before that? It was the former walk-on Perris Jones running for 129 yards and a 75-yard touchdown as the opening act of a year-long case that ultimately landed him the starting running back job to begin the 2022 season. Who will be the next key contributor to have his breakout performance at the spring game?
4. New Transfers Making Their Cavalier Debuts
Saturday will provide our first opportunity to see several transfers suit up in the orange and blue for the first time. We’re particularly excited to get a first glimpse of former Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Tyree, former Clemson tight end Sage Ennis, and former North Carolina wide receiver Andre Greene Jr. On the defensive end, we’re looking forward to seeing Akron transfer Corey Thomas Jr., who has been the subject of much praise from the UVA defensive coaching staff this spring. Thomas has a linebacker build at 6’4″ and 215 pounds, but the speed and athleticism of a defensive back and the Cavaliers currently having him playing safety.
5. Freshmen Early Enrollees
Last year, Virginia had only two freshmen enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Those two first years – wide receiver Jaden Gibson and the aforementioned Anthony Colandrea – benefited greatly from that head start and were significant contributors in their first seasons at UVA, particularly Colandrea. The Cavaliers have seven freshmen who enrolled early and are participating in spring practice this time around. We’re especially interested in seeing Ethan Minter, a two-way athlete who has transitioned from quarterback to safety and who has been very impressive so far, according to Tony Elliott. But chances are, there are multiple future stars in that group of freshmen and Saturday will be our first chance to see them play in a Virginia uniform.
Kickoff for the 2024 Virginia football Blue-White game is set for 2pm on Saturday at Scott Stadium. If you can’t make it to the game in person, the game will be streamed on ESPN+ and there will be a rebroadcast of the game on the ACC Network at a later date.
Virginia
Ding! Ding! Virginia Beach trolley season kicks off May 10
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Four new trollies will join the VB Wave Trolley fleet beginning May 10, when Virginia Beach Wave Trolley will resume its seasonal service along the oceanfront.
Trolley season lasts through September 25-27 for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
A total of 14 new trollies will be part of the fleet this year, gradually replacing the older versions. The 29-foot trolley replica buses seat 29 people and feature wooden seats, with “sky-blue and sand-colored brown exterior,” according to Hampton Roads Transit (HRTS). Last year, 281,507 riders used the trolley system.
“This year marks the 42nd season of the VB Wave trolley, and these new trollies will provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride for visitors and locals alike,” William E. Harrell said. He is the president and CEO of HRT. “As part of our partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the VB Wave makes it easy for everyone to visit attractions and explore the Oceanfront and beyond without the hassles of parking or the high cost of gas,” Harrell said.
The following routes will operate May 10 through Sept. 27 for the Neptune Festival:
Route 30 is the Atlantic Avenue Trolley, running along the Oceanfront between JT’s Grommet Island Park to Fortieth Street. This service operates daily from 8 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Route 31 is the aquarium and campground trolley along General Booth Boulevard. It runs daily from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 11 through Sept. 27. Route 31 also extends to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street.
Route 35 is the Bayfront Bus, providing service between Parks Avenue and 19th Street and Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road, enabling customers to visit Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing State Park, and Bayfront restaurants. It operates daily from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 27 festival
The VB Wave trolley connects to HRT bus lines, Routes 20 and 960, with access to the Newtown Road Light Rail Station and the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Fares are $2 one way or $4.50 for an all-day pass. Kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult. Riders can pay for tickets using HRT’s GoMobile app and a credit card. Riders can create and manage multiple virtual cards and reload value for easy group boarding, and need to have a unique scannable virtual card for boarding. Children are not required to scan a virtual card or pay fare when boarding with an adult.
Customers can also tap to pay using credit and debit cards. KOA Campground, Virginia Gift Shop, nine Sunsations locations, and Ocean Wave Gift Shop sell tickets. Riders can also pay with exact change cash onboard the trolley.
In addition, HRT is introducing a new route in Virginia Beach beginning May 10. The new Route 981 will connect the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF 4) at 1795 Dam Neck Road with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Route 33 service is being restored to Atlantic Avenue and 68th Street 365 days a year to support the oceanfront hospitality industry.
Virginia
PHOTOS: Virginia Beach Police investigate firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach Police are at the scene of a firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments Saturday afternoon, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department also confirmed there are no shooting victims at this time.
10 On Your Side is at the scene and working to gather more information about the situation.
10 On Your Side will update this story when more information is available.
Virginia
Hampton Roads leaders, experts weigh in on Virginia Supreme Court redistricting ruling
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Democrats are not happy about a state Supreme Court decision declaring last month’s referendum to draw new congressional districts null and void.
Democrats, however, have filed a motion asking the Virginia Court to delay its 4-3 decision while they file an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court.
Virginia’s current map that favors Democrats by a narrow 6-5 margin will stay in effect for the midterms. Both sides, though, have a lot to say to say about today’s decision.
Two months ago, you couldn’t avoid the political ads and mailers on both sides of the issue.
“Everybody remembers we got a few million dollars worth of flyers in our mailboxes, and everything with redistricting that whole referendum has now been overturned by the court decision,” said Old Dominion University Associate Professor of Political Science Jesse Richman.
On April 21, Virginia voters approved redrawing congressional maps that would have given Democrats a 10-1 advantage, giving them a strong chance to pick up four additional seats in November.
More than two weeks later, the Virginia Supreme Court rendered the results null and void, saying the required constitutional processes were not followed before this was put up for a vote. So what does that mean for Virginians?
“As it is, we stay with the districts we have,” Richman said. “If [Democrat] Bobby Scott’s your representative, he’s still your representative. The lines aren’t moving. If [Republican] Jen Kiggans is your representative, [she’s] still your representative.”
Scott and Kiggans spoke to 10 On Your Side shortly after today’s decision.
“I’m disappointed,” Scott said. “People voted, three million people voted, it carried in 55 of the 100 House of Delegates districts, so the people spoke.”
“It’s a big day for Virginia today,” Kiggans said. “It’s a victory for the rule of law [and] it’s a victory for fairness.”
That split reaction has also been felt among voters, some even rallying in front of the Virginia Supreme Court. One of them was Hampton’s NAACP Branch President Gaylene Kanoyton.
“We have got to make sure that we mobilize and don’t let this get us down,” Kanoyton said. “We need to be energized.”
Virginia Democrats have vowed to fight Friday’s ruling, saying they intend to file an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I expect we’ll see more intense political campaigning in the midterms in this area because of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Richman said.
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