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Waller glides into QB role for VSU; next up, battle of the coaches, both former NFL players

Fred Jeter | 10/7/2021, 6 p.m.
D’Vonte Waller led Highland Springs High School to two state championships. Now it seems he may be the quarterback to …
Virginia State University quarterback D’Vonte Waller runs with the ball to gain yardage last Saturday in the Trojans’ 33-9 win over St. Augustine’s University at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick. Courtesy of Virginia State University

D’Vonte Waller led Highland Springs High School to two state championships.

Now it seems he may be the quarterback to lead Virginia State University out of a rough patch.

The 6-foot-3 sophomore passed for 232 yards last Saturday as the VSU Trojans defeated St. Augustine’s University 33-9 for its first victory after three punchless defeats.

The Trojans hope to keep their foot firmly on the pedal this Saturday, Oct. 9, as CIAA opponent Elizabeth City State University comes to Rogers Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Waller came to VSU with a résumé so bright that welder’s glasses were needed to read it. As a high school junior and senior, he paced the Springers to an overall 31-1 record and back-to-back State 5A crowns.

Jordan Davis and Mark Wright did most of the quarterbacking in VSU’s first three games, producing a total of four touchdowns.

Waller got his first start against St. Augustine’s and maximized the opportunity, generating an attack that rolled up 371 total yards.

There were highlights aplenty. Toure Wallace, a graduate student from Chicago, scored on a 66-yard touchdown dash and Jevon LaPierre, from L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County, hauled in a 77-yard Waller pass.

Nick Woolfolk, aka “Nick the Kick” out of Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School, booted two field goals.

Kolby Hunter and Javon Burks led the defense with a combined 13 tackles and four stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Invading Elizabeth City State University has begun to flex its muscles under third-year Coach Anthony Jones. Following a 0-3 start, the Vikings have defeated Winston-Salem State University (19-14) and Livingstone College (19-3) last Saturday.

The game will pit two coaches with NFL Super Bowl rings. The Vikings’ Coach Jones played tight end with Washington and San Diego and was part of Washington’s 1987 Super Bowl team.

VSU Coach Reggie Barlow starred as a receiver and punt returner and was a member of Tampa Bay’s 2002 Super Bowl squad.

The Trojans travel to Bowie State University on Saturday, Oct. 16, before returning to Ettrick for homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 23, against Lincoln University.