Dinwiddie Pre-Season Preview

[BleedingNavy]

2016 Dinwiddie Generals

After falling to the Hanover Hawks in the second round of the 2015 IVA South Regionals the Dinwiddie Generals look to return to the playoffs for the tenth straight year. On paper this year’s team appears to have the experience, depth and playmakers to go deep in the playoffs. The first two games of the season against perennial playoff contenders (James Monroe and Hanover) could very well give us an indication of where this team is headed. With 7 of the 8 teams making the playoffs last year wins will not come easy in the Central District. Key matchups include: Hopewell, Thomas Dale, Matoaca and Meadowbrook.


Defensively. I expect the team to improve. Offensively, the Generals were good in 2015, but not consistent. If the running game progresses and Bryce Witt (quarterback) establishes his confidence early, points will not be a problem.


Out of District games: James Monroe, Hanover and Caroline

2015 Out of District Record: 2-1


Central District games: Hopewell (3a), Matoaca (5a), Thomas Dale (6a), Colonial Heights (3a), Prince George (5a), Petersburg (3a), and Meadowbrook (5a).

2015 District Record: 5-2


2015 Playoff Record 1-1 (Monacan and Hanover)


ROSTER


Key losses: Tyler Evans, Reggie Williams and Cecil Parham.


Returning starters: 9 on offense and 8 on defense.


Offense


Quarterbacks: Bryce Witt a three year starter returns for his senior season. Witt, a dual threat quarterback has the size and ability to get the job done. Last year he was 143 -233 for 2,110 yards with 22 td’s and 8 int’s. If forced out of the pocket Witt can run. He carried the ball 54 times for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns. Instead of locking in on one receiver, Witt’s needs to utilize his progressions and reduce his turnover rate. Witt’s backup, sophomore Kymon “Peetie” Pope is fast, has a strong arm and the instincts to make plays. Experience and mechanics are his weaknesses.


Running backs: Zion Sturdivant (66 carries for 386 yards, 5 td’s) and Travaughn Cooper (42 carries for 225 yards, 4 td’s) newcomer Azabien Prince (JV last season) will share the load in the backfield this season. Sturdivant makes excellent cuts and has the speed to go to the house. He had two lost fumbles last season and had some difficulty breaking tackles. Cooper is a quick hitting straight line runner. He will spend a majority of his time on defense, but could be a lot used in short yardage situations. Prince is an excellent edge runner; however, his lack of varsity experience could be a concern.


Receivers: This group is led by Junior K’Vaughan Pope (39 for 654 yards and 5 td’s) and Senior Tye Freeland (31 for 451 and 5 td’s). Pope is a four star recruit who is receiving offers from all of the big schools. He is a possession receiver with strong hands and great size. Pope needs to continue perfecting his routes. Tye Freeland is also receiving attention from a variety of D-I schools and is a speed demon. He recently returned from Australia where is U.S. Junior Team won the Gold Medal in the 4 x 100 relay. Tye can take a short pass and turn it into a touchdown; however, he does occasionally drop a well thrown deep ball. With four other capable receivers this group will be a force to reckon with.


Offensive line: The offensive line lost one starter from last season. 340 lb. center, Travon Wilkerson, three year starter Miles Scott, Treyvon Johnson and Shamon Gholson. The line play improved tremendously as the season wore on last season, so good things are expected from this group. If they regress and the running game struggles the Generals will struggle.


Defense


Defensive line/linebackers: The defensive line is anchored by Miles Scott (17 tfl’s), Timothy Fields (30 tfl’s and 5 sacks) and Davon Clayton (21 tfl’s and 5 sacks). K’Vaughan Pope leads the linebackers and is a ball hawk. This unit needs to contain and tackle better to prevent opponents from eating up yards on the ground. We saw a lot of improvement from this group at the end of last season, so let’s hope it continues.


Defensive backs: This group lost its leader in Reggie Williams, but the depth, coverage, speed, and tackling ability of this group is unreal. I hate to sound boisterous, but realistically this group could be better than the 2013 defensive backfield. Free safety Tye Freeland (5 int’s), and Strong Safety Joseph Tyree (lights out hitter) anchor this group. Travaughn Cooper and Kymon Pope are competing for the cornerback spots.


Special Teams


The departure of very a very reliable kicker and punter will have the Generals searching for replacements. Todd Anspach, John Howell and Marcus Wrenn will be competing for the kicker spot. Bryce Witt is a capable punter, but we may see the return of the rugby style, punt or run option employed in 2013. Cody Mills is a very good long snapper and Tye Freeland and Zion Sturdivant will carry the load in the return game.

Once the Generals have completed their scrimmages I will update positional changes and provide a more definitive analysis.

 

[shauntclair]

The first two games are big indicators here. Hanover beat them twice last year and the Generals have to travel to Serbay's field, where miracles are the norm. You can be the better team and still lose there.

Dinwiddie will be a very solid team. The program is in place. They have great Coaching. They have some special talent that steps them up a notch. Even if they start 0 - 2, they will still be one of the best 4As in the State. If they start 2 - 0, look out.

It's the program. It's the program. It's the program.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Great job Navy.

I would also add that the coaching staff is well stocked with veteran, proven coaches. The entire football program is well supported and has adequate funding. The AD and Coach Mills communicate continuously, and they work extremely well together.

Why is all of important? Because the attention and focus is on preparing the team to play football. The disruptions and distractions are minimal. To this end, Coach Mills selects the team captains and his other leaders on their ability to help minimize problems within the player ranks. Team captains have a heavy responsibility on their shoulders, but they have the authority and power to take whatever action is necessary.

The obvious goal is to have a state championship football team. The reality is that probably none of these players will ever make a living playing football. But they all have to go out in the world and make a living.

Coach Mills and his staff are literally obsessed with football. But I can tell you from first hand experience, they never forget that their primary job is to help mold boys into men.

Win or lose, these kids are taught to be champions in life. Thank you Coach Mills, and your assistants, for all that you do for our community.

 

[BleedingNavy]

After seeing the scrimmages against Lord Botetourt, Henrico and Bird I have mixed emotions about the success this team will have.

The talent is there to make a nice run, but several key areas need to be addressed. With the exception of one long run by the back up quarterback against LB the ground game was vitually non-existent. Witt (qb) can throw the ball, but without the ability to run the ball teams will pin their ears back and blitz all night.

Two, DHS struggled at times with bigger backs (LB and Bird). They must sure up their tackling or Cheatham will run wild in the second game of the season.

On a positive note, I liked the consistent tempo of the offense and the screen game. Creating space and forcing man to man situations will cause teams trouble with the Generals speed at the receiver position. The improved pass protection will surely allow Witt to work through his progressions.

Defensively, the linebackers made sound progress and the d backs looked prepared. Although a bit small the d line speed and pass rush was above average.

Two key injuries to Cooper (db) out three weeks and Witt (qb) game time decision Friday. Everybody else looks healthy and ready for James Monroe on Friday.

 

[GeneralsPride]

After seeing the scrimmages against Lord Botetourt, Henrico and Bird I have mixed emotions about the success this team will have.

The talent is there to make a nice run, but several key areas need to be addressed. With the exception of one long run by the back up quarterback against LB the ground game was vitually non-existent. Witt (qb) can throw the ball, but without the ability to run the ball teams will pin their ears back and blitz all night.

Two, DHS struggled at times with bigger backs (LB and Bird). They must sure up their tackling or Cheatham will run wild in the second game of the season.

On a positive note, I liked the consistent tempo of the offense and the screen game. Creating space and forcing man to man situations will cause teams trouble with the Generals speed at the receiver position. The improved pass protection will surely allow Witt to work through his progressions.

Defensively, the linebackers made sound progress and the d backs looked prepared. Although a bit small the d line speed and pass rush was above average.

Two key injuries to Cooper (db) out three weeks and Witt (qb) game time decision Friday. Everybody else looks healthy and ready for James Monroe on Friday.[/

After seeing the scrimmages against Lord Botetourt, Henrico and Bird I have mixed emotions about the success this team will have.

The talent is there to make a nice run, but several key areas need to be addressed. With the exception of one long run by the back up quarterback against LB the ground game was vitually non-existent. Witt (qb) can throw the ball, but without the ability to run the ball teams will pin their ears back and blitz all night.

Two, DHS struggled at times with bigger backs (LB and Bird). They must sure up their tackling or Cheatham will run wild in the second game of the season.

On a positive note, I liked the consistent tempo of the offense and the screen game. Creating space and forcing man to man situations will cause teams trouble with the Generals speed at the receiver position. The improved pass protection will surely allow Witt to work through his progressions.

Defensively, the linebackers made sound progress and the d backs looked prepared. Although a bit small the d line speed and pass rush was above average.

Two key injuries to Cooper (db) out three weeks and Witt (qb) game time decision Friday. Everybody else looks healthy and ready for James Monroe on Friday.

I agree here. The run game was not there in the scrimmages. Offensive line is a mess right now and needs to come together for Dinwiddie's offense to roll. Guys just not blocking, one hit and they stop, don't stay on blocks or they run out and don't block nobody. Gholson has not played hardly due to sore knee so hopefully it will get better with his return. Also backup QB Pope (#10) can run the ball but struggles big with the pass, very inaccurate and bad decision making. If Bryce Witt does not return this Friday it could be a long night for the Generals.
Defense looks to be ok and sound just need to work on stopping the run. I'm sure coach Edwards and Mills will have these boys ready.