Dinwiddie O-Line Values Hard Work, Toughness

In football, it’s often said that the only time the offensive line gets the attention of most fans is when they screw up. Well, maybe that’s why the Dinwidde Generals offensive line has managed to remain pretty anonymous so far this year…?

Their goal this season is to keep it that way.

Hard work and toughness define this hard-nosed group and it all started this offseason when offensive lineman were required to attend extra early morning workouts. While workouts for the rest of the team started at 8 am, the offensive line had to be there bright and early at 6:30.

“They are always working hard”, said Dinwiddie QB Adam Morgan. “They probably work harder than anyone else, especially this offseason when they had to be at school early every day for workouts”.

Dinwiddie Coach Billy Mills also spoke about the toughness of the guys who do the dirty work in the trenches, “We’ve got some tough, hard-nosed kids. They’ve performed pretty well so far, I feel like we’re pretty good upfront.”

Experience and maturity are 2 other important factors playing a role in the Generals success up front. 4 of the 5 starters on the offensive line are seniors.

Senior tackles David Abbey and Nick Watts knew they would be asked to play leading roles as returning starters from last season. Abbey made the move from center to right tackle this season and has performed well. “David Abbey is the heart of our offensive line…as David goes so goes the O-line”, said Coach Mills. “He’s an outstanding leader.”

Watts is now in his 3rd straight season of anchoring the Dinwiddie O-line at the left tackle position. Coach Mills couldn’t help but stress his importance to the program, “The kid has been a 4-year starter for us, 3 years at left tackle - our most important spot. He has had some high expectations put on him, but he’s been able to play up to them.”

While the Dinwiddie coaching staff knew they had 2 All-District players returning in Watts and Abbey, they weren’t quite sure what else they had. “We had some question marks…”, is the way Coach Mills put it.

Luckily for them, 2 seniors who struggled with injuries last season were ready to step up and contribute. John Oakley has stepped into the hole opened at center with Abbey’s move to tackle and has helped the group move along without missing a beat. “He gets our guys in the right position and makes the line calls”, Coach Mills said, “He’s done a great job.”

New starting guard Aubrey Collins had to play catch-up last season after transferring back into the program, and then just as he was getting ready to contribute - he suffered a shoulder injury that held him back. “We were happy to have him back and thought he was ready to help us on offense and give some of our 2-way players a break” Coach Mills remarked. “Then he had the shoulder injury.”

Even though Oakley and Collins hadn’t played a lot under the bright Friday night lights, the Dinwiddie staff knew they had 2 solid seniors who could step in and play this season. The 5th and final starter though, wasn’t quite as easy to find.

After having his position juggled around several times, junior Ryan Tavener stepped in and stepped up at guard. “He’s a little undersized, but he’s a bright kid with a non-stop motor”, raved Coach Mills. “He really stepped up for us even though he had to play catch-up this preseason on the offensive line.” Tavener’s toughness and attitude has made him a perfect fit as the only underclassman alongside the 4 senior starters on the O-line.

The Dinwiddie O-line takes their job of protecting QB Adam Morgan seriously and has even gone as far as surrounding his locker in the Dinwiddie locker room with their lockers as a sign to remind them of their job once they step between the white lines. It seems to be working so far as Morgan has only been sacked 2 times this season.

While you may not see these virtually anonymous tough guys scoring touchdowns or getting their names in the headlines, just remember they are the guys making it possible for everyone else on the field to do their job. It may not be as “glorious” as some of the other positions on the field…but that’s probably the way most of these “men in trenches” prefer it.

Make sure you watch the Dinwiddie offensive line get the job done this Friday night, October 3rd against Colonial Heights

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