Tom Jacobs
Staunton News Leader
Aug. 23, 2018
STAUNTON - Robert E. Lee's football team knew that 2018 was going to be a season of changes.
But the Leemen got a little more change than they bargained for the morning of their scrimmage last Friday against Harrisonburg.
That's when they found out that one of their best players — running back/defensive back Kavon Robertson, a first-team All-City/County selection last year — was no longer with the team.
But a veteran player, senior Garrett Lawler, and Tajunique "Bam" Dobbins, a junior second-teamer, stepped up to fill the void and had good efforts against the Blue Streaks.
Lawler
Dobbins
"It was a tough loss for us, but I think we handled it well," said Lawler, a first-team All-City/County selection at linebacker last year.
"It was a great feeling," Dobbins said of his night running the ball. "The line worked so hard for me when I was rushing the ball and I couldn't have done anything without them. We played as one here at Lee."
Lawler also liked what he saw from Dobbins, who also played linebacker on defense for the Leemen.
"I thought Bam did great," he said. "Bam's a great guy. He always plays hard and he's ready to play when he's in there."
Dobbins' brother Tarrod was part of last year's stellar senior class that led Lee to the VHSL Class 2 final. He said he remembered the example they set for him when he took the field Friday.
"I thought of them and knew it was my opportunity to step up for my team," he said. "I wanted to do great for them and my teammates."
Lawler said that after the scrimmage, the Leemens' confidence level was higher, which is good news heading into Friday season opener at Turner Ashby.
"I think the way we played [against the Blue Streaks] let us know that we're a good team," he said. "We talked about it after the game and we thought that we still can do well this season."
Staunton News Leader
Aug. 23, 2018
STAUNTON - Robert E. Lee's football team knew that 2018 was going to be a season of changes.
But the Leemen got a little more change than they bargained for the morning of their scrimmage last Friday against Harrisonburg.
That's when they found out that one of their best players — running back/defensive back Kavon Robertson, a first-team All-City/County selection last year — was no longer with the team.
But a veteran player, senior Garrett Lawler, and Tajunique "Bam" Dobbins, a junior second-teamer, stepped up to fill the void and had good efforts against the Blue Streaks.
Lawler
Dobbins
"It was a tough loss for us, but I think we handled it well," said Lawler, a first-team All-City/County selection at linebacker last year.
"It was a great feeling," Dobbins said of his night running the ball. "The line worked so hard for me when I was rushing the ball and I couldn't have done anything without them. We played as one here at Lee."
Lawler also liked what he saw from Dobbins, who also played linebacker on defense for the Leemen.
"I thought Bam did great," he said. "Bam's a great guy. He always plays hard and he's ready to play when he's in there."
Dobbins' brother Tarrod was part of last year's stellar senior class that led Lee to the VHSL Class 2 final. He said he remembered the example they set for him when he took the field Friday.
"I thought of them and knew it was my opportunity to step up for my team," he said. "I wanted to do great for them and my teammates."
Lawler said that after the scrimmage, the Leemens' confidence level was higher, which is good news heading into Friday season opener at Turner Ashby.
"I think the way we played [against the Blue Streaks] let us know that we're a good team," he said. "We talked about it after the game and we thought that we still can do well this season."
