HOPEWELL VS. DINWIDDIE PREVIEW

[71ShadesofNavy]

Hopewell vs. Dinwiddie

Game: September 23, 2016 7:30 pm Merner Field

Hopewell 2-1 (last week defeated Hanover)

Dinwiddie 3-0 (last week idle)

Last Friday, Hopewell rebounded from a tough loss to Powhatan by defeating the Hanover Hawks 28-13. The Hopewell Blue devils are very athletic and have given the Generals fits in the past few years. Both teams employ similar spread style offenses. The team who plays the best defense and eliminates the big play should win this game.

Hopewell players to watch:

Offense: Ronnie Walker – running back. Excellent cutback runner with numerous D-1 offers. Cameron Hill –quarterback. Brett Farve type gunslinger who can run and pass. Nas Cooper – fullback. Bruising runner who can eat up yards a bit at a time. Sean Allen-WR. Transfer from Colonial Heights. Good speed and hands. Greg Cuffey – WR. Excellent route runner with good hands.

Defense: Cody Hill – MLB sound tackler with a nose for the ball. R. Jones, Jr.-DE. Strong and sound pass rusher. N’Yon King – DE. Small, but quick edge rusher.

Dinwiddie players to watch:

Offense: Zyan Sturdivant – RB. Quick and elusive. Having a breakout season thus far. Bryce Witt – QB. Passed for 305 yards and five touchdowns against Caroline in one half of play. Tye Freeland - WR . Speed to burn. Coach Mills utilizes him to rune jet sweeps and quick hitting passes in space.

Defense: Timothy Fields – DE. Excellent edge rusher and tackler. Davon Clayton – DE. Strong with sound technique. K’Vaughan Pope – MLB. This kid is always in on the play.

Keys to success:

Hopewell-Offensively, the Blue Devils must establish the run with Walker and Cooper. If they can protect Hill he can find their talented receivers for quick scores. Defensively, they must defend the run. They have struggled mightily against the run and Dinwiddie’s O-line will be a formidable opponent for the small Hopewell front and linebackers.

Dinwiddie-Offensively, Dinwiddie will look to establish the run and utilize their skill players in space. If the Generals are able to get to the second level it could be a long night for the Blue Devils. Witt is throwing the ball well, so don’t be surprised if he launches a few deep balls. Defensively, the Generals must watch the backside as Walker likes to cut off the weak side guard. They must provide pressure to Hill and keep him in the pocket. If they can rattle Hill they could force a turnover or two.

Summary: This could be a high scoring affair. I must admit this Blue Devil team scares me a bit. They have the speed and skill players to give the Generals a run for their money. The depth and size of the Generals could eventually wear down Hopewell who plays a lot of guys on both sides of the ball. Should be a great game to watch.

 

[GeneralsPride]

Nice write up. Also for the Generals Joseph Tyree #9 - speedster, runs with attitude and looks to hit people when being tackled. If I count right I believe he has 8-10 touchdowns already in just 3 games. Pope will also do some work on the offensive side and Hopewell has had trouble containing him the past 2 years. The Generals also get back #31 Cooper another speed runner that can take it to the house with one cut. He will also be playing some safety on defense. Alot of weapons for Hopewell to defend, this going to be good.

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

GeneralsPride did not forget Tyree. He has been a factor on both sides of the ball. I just didnt want to go too far or be criticized for pumping up the Generals. Lots of weapons on the field.

 

[gen4ever]

I think our Generals will have a chip on there back coming into to Friday's game all coming from the local polls. No disrespect to Manchester with its huge victory against Bird but jumping from the 6 spot all the way to #1 in the area its kind of mind blowing to me. Even though it's just a poll I think we were disrespected. Is it a sin for a 4a school to be #1? I think somebody just added fuel to this fire. I don't post much because I leave it to the pros but I had to vent a little.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

The three of you, and myself, know we must and shall remain humble. None of us appreciate it when someone goes on and on and on about their team. But it is truly hard not to want to tell the world about our players, especially the bunch this year. We will let the results speak for themselves. And if we are blessed with a great year, then we will crow a little in December.

Hey gen4ever, I much prefer being #2. Like you said, it puts a little chip on the players shoulders. I've always called it "the Richmond bias". And I guess it is somewhat understandable. It is the RICHMOND Times Dispatch. And virtually all of the reporters live in Richmond, Hanover, and Henrico. They begrudgingly cover athletics down this way. It is their paper so they can do as they please, I guess.

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

I am a realist. I don't know about Manchester, but I think Bird, Highland Springs and Hermitage would likely beat us (Dinwiddie). Not sure about Birds issues last week. They have one of the best linebacker units I have ever seen on a high school field. This season has seen its share of shockers thus far.

#2 is fine. Polls dont matter. Winning the battle each week is all that counts. Step #4 Friday night.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

Are Dinwiddie's starting offensive linemen supposed to return tonight?

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

Are Dinwiddie's starting offensive linemen supposed to return tonight?

To the best of my knowledge all of the injured players will be dressed tonight. Cooper (rb/db), S. Gholson (OL) and M. Gholson (OL/DL). Not sure how much any of them will play. Cooper should get plenty of playing time. The offensive line has been playing well, so I would think the S. Gholson will have to earn his spot back. Nothing like good competition and depth. Thanks for asking Hoos.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

The reason I asked is I noticed big #72 is doing well at center, although he played left guard last year. Decisions, decisions.

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

Good move on coaches part. We struggled in the past two years with middle blitzes and running the ball, because we did not get a hat on the mlb. Yes, he is doing well. He is a huge center.