Pick-up With the Portsmouth Sports Club
The January meeting of the Portsmouth Sports Club was held at Elizabeth Manor Country Club. Coach Brian Atwood introduced longtime high school football
Coach Lew Johnston, who retired this past season after 35 years. Coach Johnston earned a full scholarship to William and Mary and played for Hall of Fame coaches Lou Holtz and Marv Levy. He began his coaching career at Western Branch High School in 1985, where his teams compiled a record of 163-61-3 (wins-losses-ties), won five Southeastern District championships, and an Eastern Regional championship. Coach Johnston developed his Delaware Wing T offensive system and has written two books on the subject.
In 2011, he took over the program at Nansemond Suffolk Academy. This past November, he led the Saints to the Division III State Championship for independent schools. The coach's philosophy centers on making his players better young men than when they started the program.
Retired Principal Art Brandiff of Western Branch High School, left, and Coach Lew Johnston
From left: Assistant Coach Brian Atwood, Ben Anderson, Coach Johnston, Moran Wentz, and Executive Director Richard Wentz of the Portsmouth YMCA