Dinwidde vs. Thomas Dale Preview

[BleedingNavy]

Thomas Dale @ Dinwiddie

October 7, 2016


Previous meetings the past ten years 5-5

Last years score: 28-13 Thomas Dale


Thomas Dale (6a) 4-1 Ranked 4th in 6a South

Wins: Cosby (6a) 3-2, Varina (5a) 2-3, Colonial Heights (3a) 0-5 and Prince George (5a) 2-3

Loss: LC Bird (5a) 5-1


Key Players: Matt Lawton-qb, Chris Tyree-rb/cb, Max Oxendine-rb/ss, AJ Lazero-sb/cb and Shaundarius Carter-wr/fs


Dinwiddie (4a) 5-0 Ranked 3rd in 4a South

Wins: James Monroe (3a) 4-1, Hanover (4a) 1-4, Caroline (4a) 1-4, Hopewell (3a) 3-2 and Matoaca (5a) 2-3


Key Players: Bryce Witt-qb, K’Vaughan Pope –wr/lb, Tye Freeland-wr/db, Zion Sturdivant-rb/lb, Timothy Fields-de


Preview


Thomas Dale travels to Dinwiddie riding a three game winning streak this season and a two game winning streak against the Generals. Thomas Dale is 4-1 with their sole loss being to highly ranked LC Bird. Dinwiddie is 5-0 and will be attempting to maintain their early season momentum. This game is always a tightly contested and physical match-up. For the past ten years the teams have won five games each. This week should be no different.


Thomas Dale: Thomas Dales quarterback, Matt Lawton has returned from injury and had a nice performance last week against Prince George. The Knights will attempt to establish the running game out of the I formation, but are very capable of spreading the ball around to their fine receiving corp. When passing the Knights utilize play action with short range routes. When Lawton does go down field he demonstrates a nice touch. Dinwiddie must watch out for the half-back pass which has hurt them the past two seasons. Defensively, the Knights will attempt to blitz Witt and slow down the running game by bottling up the middle. Thomas Dale’s defensive backs may be the best pass defending group Dinwiddie has faced this season.


Dinwiddie: Bryce Witt has been extremely hot and accurate the past two games. Last week five different Generals scored and the offensive attack was balanced. Dinwiddie will look to combat the Knights blitzes with quick hitting passes and screens. Establishing a sound running game is imperative in slow down Thomas Dales rush. Defensively, Dinwiddie must tackle well, pressure the quarterback and defend passes in space. Once again Dinwiddie must utilize special teams to garner field position and cover kickoffs effectively.


Let’s hope the hurricane stays away and we see a hard fought battle between two well respected teams.

 

[hamspear]

dP and Navy, if you could only run or pass one game, which one would you pick for your generals?

 

[BleedingNavy]

With our system pass. We use s screens and dumps to isolate playmakers, so it serves a similar purpose as a run. Would surely be intersting. Our quarterback has a run pass option for each play, so he takes what he is given. Dont have the horses to run all game with a physical defense. Thats why we spread teams out. Good question Hanspear.

 

[hamspear]

I remember the spreading out part really well haha lot of people don't realize lol

 

[DinwiddieProud]

dP and Navy, if you could only run or pass one game, which one would you pick for your generals?

I have to agree with Navy. (That might be a first). I would add that there are so many different and talented players, that passing is about the only way to give each a chance. Virtually every game, someone more or less unheralded does something outstanding with the ball.

I think Navy would have to agree, watching Pope get yards after the catch is a thing of beauty. Every one of us has seen players over the years that you know you will remember watching for the rest of your life. Pope is one of those.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Same question back to you Hammy.

 

[hamspear]

Well this year is unlike any year, and a tough choice. Normally , I would say the Run game all the way, we have struggled sometimes against big D lines this year running the ball, and the passing game has been pretty consistent . Hmmmm, still going to have to go with the run, because the Oline has improved and we are coming around racking up the yards. Thanks guys!

 

[BleedingNavy]

What a physical game last night. It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win. Every yard was contested and although the offense moved the ball well, the Generals never really got into high gear. Give the Thomas Dale defense credit for that.

Way, way, way too many penalties. Not going to blame the officials. We have to play smarter. Can't take points off the board for unecessary blocks.

The Generals special teams play (not returns or place kicker) need emergency surgery. I have said this numerous times and will repeat it again. Its going to bite us in the butt if its not fixed. Kick coverage was a bit better, but the guys seem to over run returners and do not stay in their lanes. Not really sure if its the scheme being employed or poor execution. The punting game (seldom used) is equally horrible. Five punts for the game and only once did the Generals execute.

Defensively, the Generals stuffed the run all night. Yes, the Knights had a long drive, but overall I came away pleased with the gang tackling, pass rush and run containment.

Pope, kicked it up a notch tonight. Did not play a lot on offense, but scored on a blocked punt, 85 yard kick return and knocked down a pass to deny Dale a 2 point conversion.

The Generals needed this type of physical game to prepare for the playoffs. Very pleased with the effort.

Prayers go out to #9 Joseph Tyree who appeared to suffer a nasty leg injury.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

FROM THE RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH


Tye Freeland needed a break, so Dinwiddie coach Billy Mills took out his kickoff returner, moved Jasiah Williams into Freeland’s deep spot and inserted K’Vaughan Pope deep on the side.

The kickoff went to Pope, of course. He returned it 87 yards for a touchdown, of course. And that, of course, seemed to be the spark that got the No. 2 Generals going enough to shake off visiting No. 6 Thomas Dale in a 28-19 victory Friday.

“That’s his first kickoff return,” Mills said. “It won’t be his last.”

For all of the Generals’ misadventures on special teams, Pope seemed to be in the middle of several good ones. The return and extra point gave Dinwiddie (6-0) its first lead at 14-13. The highly recruited junior also recovered a blocked punt for a TD and batted away a 2-point conversion pass that would have tied the game in the fourth quarter.

“He’s a playmaker,” Mills said. “There’s a reason everybody is rolling through here wanting to see him and talk to him.”

Dinwiddie hadn’t been challenged while averaging 56.6 points in its first five games. Dale (4-2) gave the Generals all they wanted with a stout defensive effort combined with several Dinwiddie mistakes.

“Our defense played great,” Dale coach Kevin Tucker said. “We just left them on the field way too long.”

The Knights stoned Dinwiddie on the opening possession. The subsequent punt traveled zero yards. Dale took over on the Generals’ 26 and scored on two Chris Tyree runs.

Freeland was about to score on a 75-yard pass when Pope was called for a block in the back well downfield. Zyan Sturdivant fumbled on the next play.

Dinwiddie had another punt travel 1 yard and roughed the punter. The Generals finally had something go right on special teams late in the first half when they blocked a punt, which Pope recovered in the end zone to tie the game.

Dinwiddie didn’t get off a punt after the snap was bounced midway in the third quarter. Dale got the ball on the Generals’ 27, got a 24-yard pass from Matt Lawton to Elijah Smith and punched in the touchdown. The extra point was blocked.

Then Pope did his thing.

“I told Coach, ‘I’ve got it,’” Pope said. “The ball came to me and I just fit it up in the wedge. I wouldn’t have gotten there without my guys blocking for me. … That was a big change in the second half.”

Dinwiddie pushed ahead 21-13 after a short drive early in the fourth quarter.

With Lawton (17 of 23, 157 yards) completing four passes, Dale responded with an 83-yard TD drive to draw within 21-19 with 7:23 left in the game. Pope, though, tipped away Lawton’s pass on a slant route.

“If we hit that 2-point conversion, maybe it’s a different game,” Tucker said.

The Knights got the ball back at their 40 with 4:43 remaining. Timothy Fields caused a fumble on the first play, and the Generals put away the game on Freeland’s 4-yard run.

“I was a little concerned (Thursday) in practice,” Mills said. “We kind of had a good run, and we hadn’t been really challenged. I knew these guys were going to (give us one). When they did right off the bat, it was difficult. We hadn’t experienced that this year. It was just a matter of getting their heads back and getting into it.”

Thomas Dale 7 0 6 6 — 19

Dinwiddie 0 7 7 14 — 28

1st: TD — TD Tyree 15 run (Feeser kick)

2nd: DIN — TD K’V. Pope blocked punt recovered in end zone (Anspach kick)

3rd: TD — TD Oxendine 2 run (kick blocked)

DIN — TD K’V. Pope 87 kickoff return (Anspach kick)

4th: DIN — TD Sturdivant 8 run (Anspach kick)

TD — TD Russell 18 pass from Lawton (pass failed)

DIN — TD Freeland 4 run (Anspach kick)

RUSHING

TD: Tyree 20-57, Oxendine 3-7, Lawton 6--41, DIN: Sturdivant 22-117, Witt 13-48, Freeland 3-13, Tyree 2--1, Williams 1--2

PASSING

TD: Lawton 17-23-0 157, DIN: Witt 9-16-0 10

RECEIVING

TD: Smith 7-84, Tyree 1-23, Russell 1-18, Oxendine 1-15, James 2-8, Faber 1-5, McCollin 1-3, Lazaro 3-1, DIN: Sturdivant 3-70, Freeland 3-51, Jones 2-12, Pope 1--3



tpearrell@timesdispatch.com

(804) 649-6965

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

@wahoogen20 I was looking forward to reading "COUNTRY BOYS" this week, where are you? Ha.

 

[wahoogen20]

Im here buddy! Another solid win over a 6A opponent! Heard you guys had some issues with Powhatan and their starting QB was hurt! Losing Tyree is going to hurt but THE COUNTRY BOYS have plenty of weapons and someone will step up! Im gonna be all year Hoosfan!

 

[BleedingNavy]

Wahoogen, you are correct about losing Tyree. He always gets the tough yards on offense and has a nose for the goal, but more importantly he is a tremendous run stopper.

There are guys who have received playing time at his spot and I believe Coach Mills will move db's around to make things flow. The reoccurung foot injury of Cooper is a concern for me as well. Losing two running backs causes depth concerns, but Freeland will have to play more on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

Im here buddy! Another solid win over a 6A opponent! Heard you guys had some issues with Powhatan and their starting QB was hurt! Losing Tyree is going to hurt but THE COUNTRY BOYS have plenty of weapons and someone will step up! Im gonna be all year Hoosfan!

Yeah, things usually seem to happen at Powhatan which is why it's so tough to play there, and Louisa lost an unforced fumble on a good drive (also forced and recovered one), but they'll be fine. Went up 22-0 and held on for the win. Looks like special teams pretty much won the game for y'all, only two offensive TDs.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

Wahoogen, you are correct about losing Tyree. He always gets the tough yards on offense and has a nose for the goal, but more importantly he is a tremendous run stopper.

There are guys who have received playing time at his spot and I believe Coach Mills will move db's around to make things flow. The reoccurung foot injury of Cooper is a concern for me as well. Losing two running backs causes depth concerns, but Freeland will have to play more on the offensive side of the ball.

Sturdivant is a tough runner, and his height, low center of gravity, along with his speed makes him that much harder to bring down. Just give him more carries and run Pope on jet sweeps.

 

[BleedingNavy]

All is well in Dinwiddie. Prince George Friday. People are making way too much of the close game with TD. Just like other rivalry games throughout the state it is always highly intense, physical and low scoring.

In the past four meetings the winning team has scored no more than 28 points. 2013 21-0 Dinwiddie, 2014 20-13 TD, 2015 28-13 TD and 2016 28-19 Dinwiddie.

A win is a win. Both the defense and offense performed well just did not put up the exhorberent statistics. No need panic or read anything into this.

 

[mbonape1]

All is well in Dinwiddie. Prince George Friday. People are making way too much of the close game with TD. Just like other rivalry games throughout the state it is always highly intense, physical and low scoring.

In the past four meetings the winning team has scored no more than 28 points. 2013 21-0 Dinwiddie, 2014 20-13 TD, 2015 28-13 TD and 2016 28-19 Dinwiddie.

A win is a win. Both the defense and offense performed well just did not put up the exhorberent statistics. No need panic or read anything into this.

Agree with this statement... TD is capable of playing great games and can hang with any team if they are having a good night. Big win for the Generals against a quality D6 opponent. I think it is a game they should have won and they did. End of story.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

And it served a good purpose. The boys found out they can hang with a top team, that is extremely physical. And they were able to overcome mistakes and persevere. And thanks to Navy, First Down, and another one of the crazies, they rallied the crowd big time in the 4th when the defense HAD to make a couple of stops. They got down at the bottom of the bleachers and got the crowd up and screaming. They get the 12th man award this week.

 

[ClarkeFan83]

And it served a good purpose. The boys found out they can hang with a top team, that is extremely physical. And they were able to overcome mistakes and persevere. And thanks to Navy, First Down, and another one of the crazies, they rallied the crowd big time in the 4th when the defense HAD to make a couple of stops. They got down at the bottom of the bleachers and got the crowd up and screaming. They get the 12th man award this week.

Hmm, I seem to have heard through the grapevine that Navy turned at looked at the crowd, which caused the screaming.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

The cops questioned him about wearing a "scary clown face" until they realized that was his real face.