by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
BLACKSTONE – Quick story from Dinwiddie’s football camp at Fort Pickett that epitomizes the program.
I asked coach Billy Mills did he do anything differently this season in the weight room.
Looking at new QB Chris Hall and ridiculous defensive lineman Corey Marshall, both juniors, was like looking at college veterans. They both had packed on 30 pounds of muscle.
Jason Ampy and Quintaze Jackson, also waiting to be interviewed, were chiseled.
Mills’ response? Nothing different.
That’s what Mills has done for the Dinwiddie program. Changed the culture.
The players want to work harder for themselves, expect more from themselves and the team.
Mills doesn’t have to do anything more than usual, but the players do more than usual and expect much more than usual.
That’s why the Generals are for the third year in a row, a region-title contender.
In the past two years Dinwiddie has gone 9-2 and 12-2 in 2008, winning the Central Region, Division 5 crown and falling in the state title game.
Good memories that Mills and his troops could care less about at this point.
“We’ve got to forget about last year,” Mills said matter of factly. “And know that this is a new year. The expectations are great because that’s what we want it to be. We also know that we are going to get everyone’s best game and we’ve got to get ourselves ready.
“Anything we did last year ain’t going to help us a bit this year.”
Hall should help more than a bit on offense, stepping in for the graduated Adam Morgan, the DigitalSports player of the year in 2008.
Hall looks like Vince Young. Really. He’s 6-4 and 225 pounds of muscle and should use his body to give Dinwiddie’s running game another powerful dimension.
His weapons are plentiful, led by Quintaze Jackson, one of Morgan’s holdovers at receiver after two left for college (see key losses below).
“He’s throwing good. He got better over the break,” Jackson said of Hall, a camp rat this summer. “The running game will probably be a little different. The O-line is getting their blocks together. The receivers are strong. We’re going to get it done.”
Can the defense get it done without leader Bradley Johnson, who’s at the University of Maryland right now?
Yes, says senior inside linebacker Ampy. He’s back, along with the aforementioned manchild in Marshall, who Mills says his team hasn’t blocked all preseason.
He hopes other teams can’t, either.
“His first steps is faster than anyone I’ve ever seen in my life,” Mills said of Marshall, who’s garnering enough recruiting interest to occupy a whole team. “He’s a handful.”
So will Dinwiddie be.
ALL ABOUT DINWIDDIE
Key players:
Corey Marshall, DL, Jr.; Chris Hall, QB, Jr., 6-4, 225; Quintaze Jackson, WR, Sr.; Jason Ampy, ILB, Sr.; Trey Gardner, WR
Key losses: Bradley Johnson, LB (Maryland); Adam Morgan, QB (VMI); Jerrell White, WR (Hinds CC, Miss.); Sam Haskins, WR (Troy)
Fast fact: The reigning Division 5 and Division 6 Central Region champions will play September 11 at Dinwiddie, as Varina visits.
Big game: At Meadowbrook, Oct. 9. The Generals squeaked out a 49-48 in 2008. Look for another tight battle.
Outlook: No, this is not the 2008 team. Different parts. But, Dinwiddie is becoming a real program. A team that will contend each year. 2009 won’t change that.
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Stephen Lewis’ take on the Generals
Coach Billy Mills interview
DL Corey Marshall interview
WR Quintaze Jackson interview
QB Chris Hall interview
ILB Jason Ampy interview
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009 Schedule
2008 Results
Back to 2009 Football Camp Tour
Team Page
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