Dinwiddie Seniors Make College Choice

Two  of the most recognizable faces of the Dinwiddie football program will be taking their talent and leadership elsewhere next season as they move on to the college football field.

Senior linebacker Jason Ampy and wide receiver Quintaze Jackson both signed national letters of intent last week to make their advancement to the college level official.

Jackson, an All-State selection this season as both a WR and kick returner, will attend Louisburg College in North Carolina, a top junior college program.  Jackson will attend the junior college with eyes on using it as a springboard to a Division 1 scholarship in 2 years.  The speedy wideout finished last season with 54 catches for 974 yards and 8 TDs.  A 3-year starter, “Q-Jack” finishes his career at Dinwiddie with 113 catches for 1882 yards and 18 total TDs.

Dinwiddie head coach Billy Mills was impressed with the program at Louisburg.  ”They focus on character and the school provides their players with the academic resources they need.  On the field, they are one of the county’s up-and-coming JUCO programs.”

At first, the Louisburg coaches told Coach Mills they weren’t recruiting any wide receivers, but after seeing Jackson’s highlight tape – they quickly changed their tune.  ”Their coach (Coach Sala) called me and told me Quintaze was the best receiver they’d seen this season, and they were interested.”

A four-year starter at Dinwiddie, for many Dinwiddie football fans it’s difficult to imagine linebacker Jason Ampy in a different uniform.  The Generals defensive stalwart will attend Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina next season.

“I had a good feeling about Chowan after visiting”, said Ampy.  Chowan was late to recruit Ampy, but ultimately he felt the school provided him with the best opportunity.

Ampy was not only a 4-year starter for the Generals, he also started every game during those four years – a rare feat for any varsity football player.  A first-team All-Central District unanimous selection 2 years running, Ampy racked up 384 tackles and 5 sacks in his career.

“It’s going to be different without him, looking out on the field and not seeing him out there” said  Coach  Mills.

Ampy will join former Generals teammate offensive tackle Nick Watts, who also signed with Chowan last season and started as a freshman last season.

While many of the current Dinwiddie football players have only experienced the winning seasons, Ampy and Jackson’s class can still remember those days when winning wasn’t exactly associated with Dinwiddie’s football program.  When I asked Ampy what the guys making their way up through the Dinwiddie program need to do to keep the success going, he had a simple, yet powerful answer.  ”I just let them know they need to keep working hard.  That’s what this program is all about.”