Schedule change for Dinwiddie

[DinwiddieProud]

Starting with the new cycle in the fall of 2017, Dinwiddie will not continue to play James Monroe. The recently named replacement will be Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va. I'm looking forward to seeing the Generals lock horns with the Patriots at historic John B. Todd stadium. With a seating capacity around 10,000, and a real grass field, it with have the flavor of a playoff game. And very possibly, it will be the opening game of the year for both teams.

The other two non district opponents will be Salem and Smithfield.

I will say that I am excited to be playing James Monroe in Fredericksburg this fall, if even for the one and only time. Maury Stadium is historic in its own right. A real throwback to football from another era. Don't get me wrong, modern restrooms and a great concession stand. But, the setting, with the concrete bleachers, and all of the huge old trees makes it a terrific place to play and see a football game.

Dates and locations for the 2017 season will be provided at a later time.

 

[gen4ever]

Did you say concrete bleachers as in like Hopewell concrete bleachers?

 

[shauntclair]

Starting with the new cycle in the fall of 2017, Dinwiddie will not continue to play James Monroe. The recently named replacement will be Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va. I'm looking forward to seeing the Generals lock horns with the Patriots at historic John B. Todd stadium. With a seating capacity around 10,000, and a real grass field, it with have the flavor of a playoff game. And very possibly, it will be the opening game of the year for both teams.

The other two non district opponents will be Salem and Smithfield.

I will say that I am excited to be playing James Monroe in Fredericksburg this fall, if even for the one and only time. Maury Stadium is historic in its own right. A real throwback to football from another era. Don't get me wrong, modern restrooms and a great concession stand. But, the setting, with the concrete bleachers, and all of the huge old trees makes it a terrific place to play and see a football game.

Dates and locations for the 2017 season will be provided at a later time.

I don't see Maury as throwback. I see them classic. Remember, no parking there. Gotta use the street. When the time comes, I'll send you a link on the best spot to park. Easy in. Easy out. But you will have to walk. Everyone does.

Depending on what you like and your budget, I can point out a number of good places to eat.

Yes, restrooms are tough. The concession line is impossible. I've never stood in it. Seeing it is more than enough to keep me away. Just eat before going and make sure you're running on empty before you walk through the gate.

But..........
You get to see the Sebay show. Always a classic and unsurpassed in it's uniqueness. No matter how loud the field gets, you will still hear Serbay. He is so Brooklyn.

A Mauray miracle is almost a lock. Something incredible WILL happen and it is always in favor of the Jackets. You can beat them all night long but JM finds a way to win. Very rare they take a home loss. Serbay owns this field.

Natural turf and the first game of the season, it will be mint. There is no better surface to play on than natural turf. I take it 10 out of 10 over an artificial surface.

The JM PA announcer is the best I've ever heard. A real pro.

It's actually kind of cool that extra points either land on the concession stand roof at one end of the field or the in the arms of a kid in the street at the other. These are some cozy confines. I don't know of anywhere else this happens.

This place has so much history of great games, it may be alone in it's uniqueness. Is there anyplace else that has cement seats and bleachers? I don't know. But The Burg is all about history and keeping it as part of it's personality. Maury field may be there into the next century. I know things inevitably change and someday Maury will be gone. Treasure it while you can.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Starting with the new cycle in the fall of 2017, Dinwiddie will not continue to play James Monroe. The recently named replacement will be Denbigh High School in Newport News, Va. I'm looking forward to seeing the Generals lock horns with the Patriots at historic John B. Todd stadium. With a seating capacity around 10,000, and a real grass field, it with have the flavor of a playoff game. And very possibly, it will be the opening game of the year for both teams.

The other two non district opponents will be Salem and Smithfield.

I will say that I am excited to be playing James Monroe in Fredericksburg this fall, if even for the one and only time. Maury Stadium is historic in its own right. A real throwback to football from another era. Don't get me wrong, modern restrooms and a great concession stand. But, the setting, with the concrete bleachers, and all of the huge old trees makes it a terrific place to play and see a football game.

Dates and locations for the 2017 season will be provided at a later time.

Does Dinwiddie have any history with Smithfield or Denbigh? I see from VHSL -Reference that the Generals have never played either of those schools in the playoffs.

Sort of unusual and exciting to be starting series with two or three new opponents in the same season.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I'll get up with you when time draws near, Shaunty. I know parking is a challenge. I appreciate the offer of information. Also, I never turn down a tip on good places to eat.

Yep "gen", good ole concrete bleachers, just as hard as Hopewell, but only on the home side. Very, VERY, limited aluminum bleachers on the visitors side.

Any chance they will let you bring in lawn chairs? Otherwise, there are going to be a lot of fannie's with no where to sit!

And an early heads up to fans making the trip. Don't put "James Monroe High School" in your GPS. You will take the scenic route, to the WRONG location.

Yes sir, Spartan, as far as I know this will be the inaugural games between Dinwiddie, and both Denbigh and Smithfield. But, somewhere in the far reaches of my mind, I think I was told that Dinwiddie and Denbigh once played each other. For some reason I thought they met in the 1970's. But, that's too many Budweisers ago for me to be sure!

 

[shauntclair]

I'll get up with you when time draws near, Shaunty. I know parking is a challenge. I appreciate the offer of information. Also, I never turn down a tip on good places to eat.

Yep "gen", good ole concrete bleachers, just as hard as Hopewell, but only on the home side. Very, VERY, limited aluminum bleachers on the visitors side.

Any chance they will let you bring in lawn chairs? Otherwise, there are going to be a lot of fannie's with no where to sit!

And an early heads up to fans making the trip. Don't put "James Monroe High School" in your GPS. You will take the scenic route, to the WRONG location.

Yes sir, Spartan, as far as I know this will be the inaugural games between Dinwiddie, and both Denbigh and Smithfield. But, somewhere in the far reaches of my mind, I think I was told that Dinwiddie and Denbigh once played each other. For some reason I thought they met in the 1970's. But, that's too many Budweisers ago for me to be sure!

The visiting fans seating limitations will still be more than enough to accommodate Generals supporters. There simply won't be that many making the trip. It's too long a ride for most. And you're right, Maury is several miles from the Actual HS. You can bring chairs but there are few, if any, lines of sight that will allow you to enjoy the game once you're in the gate. The fences around the field are usually lined with people, however, there is a place you can place a chair and get an excellent, unimpaired view. Plus, you won't have to pay to get in. I'll let you know where. I always watch the last two minutes of the game from this location. You will get a 100% unimpaired exit from here and be on 95 in five minutes. This will be very helpful because it's opening day and the field will be packed.

GL to the Generals. JM is very, very difficult to beat at Maury. I've watched miracle after miracle happen there. Many a team has dominated here and still gone home a loser. The Jackets just will not go away and are most dangerous when they're behind. They are a big play team. Always have been. It only takes one to change the entire complexion of the game. The Generals should win but JM is anything but Your average 3A.

 

[tommythecpa]

There is a Chinese restaurant across the street from JM on route 1 with a very funny name.

 

[CRF4Dan]

I'll get up with you when time draws near, Shaunty. I know parking is a challenge. I appreciate the offer of information. Also, I never turn down a tip on good places to eat.

Yep "gen", good ole concrete bleachers, just as hard as Hopewell, but only on the home side. Very, VERY, limited aluminum bleachers on the visitors side.

Any chance they will let you bring in lawn chairs? Otherwise, there are going to be a lot of fannie's with no where to sit!

And an early heads up to fans making the trip. Don't put "James Monroe High School" in your GPS. You will take the scenic route, to the WRONG location.

Yes sir, Spartan, as far as I know this will be the inaugural games between Dinwiddie, and both Denbigh and Smithfield. But, somewhere in the far reaches of my mind, I think I was told that Dinwiddie and Denbigh once played each other. For some reason I thought they met in the 1970's. But, that's too many Budweisers ago for me to be sure!

If Dinwiddie and Denbigh have ever played one another it came before 1970 as I have no record of them playing one another from 1970 to present day.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Thanks, Danny. (I refer you back to my Budwiser reference!)

 

[shauntclair]

There is a Chinese restaurant across the street from JM on route 1 with a very funny name.

I don't remember that but Chinese names can be funny when English is applied. For example, one of my young Engineers was at a bar with a few of us and brought his Asian girl friend over for introductions. She was quite beautiful but I almost spit my beer when she was introduced as Mi Ho.

 

[gwb16]

IMO - Replacing JM with Denbigh is a bit of a downgrade.
Smithfield? Jury is still out IMO. Anxiously awaiting to see what Chavis' sophomore coaching campaign brings.
No need to make any kind of comment about Salem, that name speaks for itself.

Todd Stadium, it's a great stadium. Track surrounds the field. Nice new scoreboard. The surface is grass. Mark my words, Dinwiddie will bring more fans than Denbigh. And you could count the team and coaches on the sideline, the band, cheerleaders and whatever is in the stands. OK....maybe not THAT bad, but the crowds that show up are surprisingly weak. Guess there are too many other options in the city and the fact that the Patriots haven't made much noise over the years.

Looking forward to seeing new faces on the Smithfield schedule!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

IMO - Replacing JM with Denbigh is a bit of a downgrade.
Smithfield? Jury is still out IMO. Anxiously awaiting to see what Chavis' sophomore coaching campaign brings.
No need to make any kind of comment about Salem, that name speaks for itself.

Todd Stadium, it's a great stadium. Track surrounds the field. Nice new scoreboard. The surface is grass. Mark my words, Dinwiddie will bring more fans than Denbigh. And you could count the team and coaches on the sideline, the band, cheerleaders and whatever is in the stands. OK....maybe not THAT bad, but the crowds that show up are surprisingly weak. Guess there are too many other options in the city and the fact that the Patriots haven't made much noise over the years.

Looking forward to seeing new faces on the Smithfield schedule!

Speaking of Denbigh, what ever became of their QB from the 2013 season? I only saw him once, and that was at the coach's all star game at LU. But I was impressed. I hope he was able to get to college and have a chance to continue playing?

And gwb, when we make the trip down there, I feel it is my obligation to eat at one or more of the restaurants in Smithfield. In fact, I may bring my wife and get a room for the night. We have been looking for the opportunity to spend another Saturday in Smithfield. And of course, we will meet in person. Hopefully it won't take that long for us to cross paths.

 

[gwb16]

Speaking of Denbigh, what ever became of their QB from the 2013 season? I only saw him once, and that was at the coach's all star game at LU. But I was impressed. I hope he was able to get to college and have a chance to continue playing?

And gwb, when we make the trip down there, I feel it is my obligation to eat at one or more of the restaurants in Smithfield. In fact, I may bring my wife and get a room for the night. We have been looking for the opportunity to spend another Saturday in Smithfield. And of course, we will meet in person. Hopefully it won't take that long for us to cross paths.

I believe you are speaking about the Wells kid at Denbigh. He was the starter at Smithfield , didn't academically qualify the next year, transferred to Nansemond River, didn't academically qualify the next year, then landed at Denbigh. He was a genuinely talented athlete. The "student" part he struggled with. Was a pretty humble kid. Hated to see his high school career get so twisted. I have no idea what he's doing today. I would be seriously surprised if he was in school.

I'll gladly be a gracious host. There's a new seafood joint in Surry now. The Surry Seafood Company. Doubles as a B&B also. VERY nice atmosphere and the food is incredible....if you enjoy seafood.

http://surrycountytourism.com/Grays_Creek_Marina.htm

I wouldn't mind getting together one weekend prior to the season getting underway. Work keeps me incredibly busy...and the grand daughter every other weekend....it just never ends around here. I tell people that I'll sleep when I'm dead.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Let's hope then, that it's a long, long time before you sleep.

I spent many, many days on Greys Creek. The old Brown and Williams management club that is just below the marina was my usual haunt. My former sister-in-law's parents owned the house and property around the bend past the marina. If the school system in Petersburg knew how many days that the attendance records showed me as "present" we're not exactly accurate, they would probably revoke my diploma.

In fact, I tried to buy the old marina one time. I guess it was around 1980? The owner did some commercial fishing and had an accident out on the river, and drown I think. Months later, word got to me that his widow wanted to sell the property. I rode down and sat out on her picnic table with her and talked for a long time. She explained that she had no idea how that rumor got started, and she would never sell. The place was too dear to her. Two weeks later she sold it. To a developer. Such is life.

So yes, I need to try out the Surry Seafood Company.

No sir, not the Wells kid. I'm speaking of Terrence Dingle.

Hopefully we can hook up sometime this summer. Can you ever slip away from work for a long lunch hour? If so, maybe I can meet you somewhere for lunch.

I got a minor football fix last night. Coach Mills held a "Little Generals" football camp, and he wanted to treat the kids to what it was like when the varsity took the field. At home games, as they take the field, we blast an old civil defense siren, fire a cannon, and they bust through a banner held by the cheerleaders. The Little Generals got to experience the whole deal. The little kids were excited, but I think the big kids, (coaches and players), were even more excited. You know they miss it even worse than us fans, (if that is possible!)

 

[gen4ever]

Speaking of Denbigh, what ever became of their QB from the 2013 season? I only saw him once, and that was at the coach's all star game at LU. But I was impressed. I hope he was able to get to college and have a chance to continue playing?

And gwb, when we make the trip down there, I feel it is my obligation to eat at one or more of the restaurants in Smithfield. In fact, I may bring my wife and get a room for the night. We have been looking for the opportunity to spend another Saturday in Smithfield. And of course, we will meet in person. Hopefully it won't take that long for us to cross paths.

The QB you are referring to his name was Terrance Dingle.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Thanks, gen. I had looked up their old roster. KJ was better, but Dingle was darn good too. I hope maybe Devils knows whatever happened with him.

 

[shauntclair]

I got my own football fix on Monday by attending the Jim Harbaugh, Michigan State Camp in MD. Pretty typical stuff in the AM with all the measurable processing but what was impressive was the amount of Wolverine Coachs there and the representation by a whole bunch of other high level programs in the area. It was certainly a seller for Michigan Football with Jim showing up around 1 and John Harbaugh around 4. Even Joe Gibbs came. Plenty of star power for the kids, who had to be impressed.

Kids were worked hard from 1 - 3. The Michigan Coachs really pushed them. Mostly typical camp stuff with OL vs DL. WR vs DB. Etc.

One interesting drill was 4 players on the corners of a 10 x 10 box (yds). An additional player went to the middle. His job was to two hand touch (hard) the four others who were allowed to roam anywhere in the 10 x 10 area. Light touches or grazes did not count. Only rock solid contact. Out of the box when touched. One Local DE got em' all in 6 seconds. Needless to say, he got a LOT of attention because he met that time twice. Never saw that drill before but the kids loved it and the Coachs were really encouraging them. Cool stuff.

 

[gen4ever]

Thanks, gen. I had looked up their old roster. KJ was better, but Dingle was darn good too. I hope maybe Devils knows whatever happened with him.

If you are referring to there Qb that year it was Dingle without a doubt. I beg to differ on whether this KJ kid was better than Dingle because Dingle was one of the best in the state that year. He also played in the all star game.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

If you are referring to there Qb that year it was Dingle without a doubt. I beg to differ on whether this KJ kid was better than Dingle because Dingle was one of the best in the state that year. He also played in the all star game.

Yes, that his where I saw Dingle. But KJ ran a complicated offense like a champ. Seldom ever made the wrong read, seldom ever called the wrong play, rarely threw an INT. His team set the second highest offensive point total for 10 games in VHSL history. And led his team to a championship win. I respectfully disagree. Dingle probably had a bit more speed, and maybe more arm strength, but the body of KJ's work was far superior to Dingle.

 

[gwb16]

Oh yeah...Dingle. He was an absolute gunslinger. He threw for a couple miles worth of yardage his Senior year. I don't recall where he went.

I'll make time to meet you DP. I don't pass up many opportunities to eat! HaHa!

Small world in reference to Greys Creek. Several years back there was another seafood restaurant there. The owner felt it necessary to get busted in an illegal drug ring...no, not Mary Jane, the hard stuff. Darn shame also, food wasn't to shabby.

Surry Seafood Company is all new construction. They started from the ground up. Really nice place. As you know, it is certainly off of the beaten path.

 

[gwb16]

Speaking of Denbigh, what ever became of their QB from the 2013 season? I only saw him once, and that was at the coach's all star game at LU. But I was impressed. I hope he was able to get to college and have a chance to continue playing?

And gwb, when we make the trip down there, I feel it is my obligation to eat at one or more of the restaurants in Smithfield. In fact, I may bring my wife and get a room for the night. We have been looking for the opportunity to spend another Saturday in Smithfield. And of course, we will meet in person. Hopefully it won't take that long for us to cross paths.

Talk about timing....check out this article from The Daily Press.
http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dearth-blog/dp-spt-star-track-dingle-20160613-story.html

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Yep, perfect timing. And good for him. Looks like he will be an understudy again this season. But, it sounds like the school is a high octane offense, and he will have two more seasons to make his mark.

I didn't realize how small he is. Even for a D-II QB. That just illustrates how talented he is.

Thanks pal, I appreciate the post.