As a freshman, quarterback/defensive back Brenden Motley impressed Christiansburg (VA) head coach Tim Cromer. With Motley leading the way, Christiansburg's 2008 junior varsity squad went undefeated at 9-0. Two years later, with the 6-4, 190-pound junior leading the way, the Blue Demons varsity squad enjoyed a 12-1 season that included district and region championships and an undefeated regular season.
"Even when he was a freshman, we took several quarterbacks to camp and he had the best mechanics at the time," Cromer said of Motley. "We talked about the possibility of him playing quarterback as a freshman, but we had some good kids already, so we thought it would be okay for him to spend a year on the JV. He has always had natural ability, and then he just worked hard. He fits our system really well. This year, though, we're going to tailor things to him."