by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804) 240-2191
Thirty-nine is a good number in football, especially on the scoreboard.
Just not when that’s the number of senior football players your team graduated.
That is the situation Dale coach Vic Williams is in, graduating the biggest class he ever has at Thomas Dale.
He saw some great athletes depart from the team and is looking for guys to fill in.
Two offensive players return, five defensively, including a group of good linebackers.
Mike Edmunds, Drake Evans, Vaughn Robinson and Ben Saunders are all good tacklers.
The defensive line also has good size, led by Greg Gallop.
“Our defense is probably going to be the main thing this year,” Gallop said. “The offense continues to improve every day.”
Ariek Green returns after a year hiatus, he’ll play safety and tote the rock on offense along with a slew of other talented runners, Demetrick Jackson and Lorenzo Fields, to name a few.
Quarterback Demitrius Campbell will hand off to them and throw to 6-4 receiver Brandon Burton and Roderick Doggett.
“We can mix it up. We can do everything,” Edmunds said. “We can have a little power or throw in the speed. Throw teams off.”
Jackson and Fields, both speedy, double as cornerbacks on defense as the Knights begin the season with Manchester, Varina and L.C. Bird, all DigitalSports preseason top 10 teams.
ALL ABOUT THOMAS DALE
Key players: Greg Gallop, Sr., OG/DT, 6-1, 295; Mike Edmunds, Sr., LB/FB, 5-8, 200; Drake Evans, Sr., LB/FB, 5-10, 190; Lorenzo Fields, So., CB/RB, 5-9, 160; Demetrick Jackson, Jr., RB/CB, 5-10, 170; Spencer Randolph, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 300
Key losses: David Williams, QB/DB (Elon); Justin Hunt, DB/WR; Alex Stevens, RB; Domonique Thompson, RB; 35 more seniors!
Big games: First three. Dale would like a good, healthy start to prepare for a tough district schedule, the key to the Dvision 6 playoffs.
Outlook: There are a lot of new parts out for the Knights. But Williams always does a great job coaching and should have another good team in 2009.
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009 Schedule
2008 Schedule/Results
Team Page
Back to 2009 Football Camp Tour
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Stephen Lewis’ take on the Knights
LB/FB Mike Edmunds interview
LB/FB Drake Evans interview
OG/DT Greg Gallop interview
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