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This spring we take a different approach to the unveiling of our Preseason Power25 teams across the commonwealth/DC. Instead of one full release, we will be doing a countdown starting today and running all the way to the beginning of the high school season. Over the course of the next 2.5 weeks, we will be counting down our preseason top 25.

VA/DC Preseason Power25: No. 18 - Halifax Comets

Preseason Rank: 18
Level: VHSL Class 5 Region D
Head Coach: Kenneth Day
2018: 18-7, Region 5D Runner Up, lost in State Semifinals to Freedom

Top Players 

Drew Harlow RHP 2019 (Radford, pictured, right)
Troy Ferrell RHP/SS (Roanoke)
Shaun Perkins 1B 2019 (Patrick Henry)
Alex Lowery RHP/3B
 

X-Factor

Christian Worley RHP 2020 - Worley, a Virginia Tech commit, adds strong depth to an already pretty deep pitching staff for the Comets. He could potentially take a similar role to what Harlow took last season, where Harlow was primarily a closer for the team making three starts. We think Harlow moves into a starter role to take over for the loss of Carlton Redd and that could open the way for Worley to close out games for the Comets this year.

Key Players Lost

Carlton Redd
Clay Lloyd
Brayden Moore

Outlook

It seems as if every season the Comets are vying for a region championship in the spread out Region D of Class 5 of the VHSL. Loaded again with a deep pitching staff and key returners to the starting lineup, the Comets looks poised yet again to make a trip to the state tournament in 2019. On the mound, the Comets will be paced by Drew Harlow (Radford) and Alex Lowery. Lowery was second on the team in innings pitched with 44 while going 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA. Harlow is a power arm that averaged over 2 strikeout per inning in 11 appearances, with most out of the pen saving five games. in his 32.2 innings, Harlow had 76 strikeouts. Harlow looks like the natural pick to step into the rotation to make up for the loss of Carlton Redd, who graduated in 2018. Troy Ferrell (Roanoke) should also see increased innings on the mound as well as the aforementioned Christian Worley (Virginia Tech), who could potentially take over the late inning work for Harlow if he doesn't make a few starts himself.

Offensively, the Comets will be paced by Harlow, Lowery, and Shaun Perkins (Patrick Henry), who all hit over .300 last spring. Keep an eye out for 2021 C Joey Duffer, who could be the man to take over the loss of Clay Lloyd. Perkins was a big offensive force for the Comets in 2018, hitting .329 with 23 RBI and 12 XBH(9 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR). Overall, the Comets tend to keep opposing hitters in check with an impressive 10 shutouts last season. Look for that experience on the mound combined with an opportunistic offense to again last long in the postseason.

MORE PRESEASON POWER25