by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
Dinwiddie and defense. The two words are not usually in the same sentence, but that needed to change in this report.
The Generals allowed 21 points, but registered five turnovers to lead Dinwiddie to a 42-21 victory over Liberty of Bealeton Saturday afternoon in the state Group AAA semifinals.
Dinwiddie’s docket is full of offensive juggernauts.
QB Adam Morgan. Receivers Sam Haskins, Jerrell White, Quintaze Jackson and Terron Adams could all be No. 1s on most other teams.
The offensive line hardly lets Morgan’s No. 7 jersey need a stain remover.
But it was Dinwiddie’s defense that erased any hope of the Northwest Region champion earning a chance at any state hardware.
On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Eagles QB Nick Potts tried to find Kenny Tapscott on a comeback route. The pigskin was a little high as Tapscott tipped it in the air.
Dinwiddie cornerback Brandon Parson was Johnny On The Spot, intercepting the pass to take 100 percent of the momentum.
Five plays later, Morgan hit Jerrell White on an easy crossing route for a TD. Chad Jones‘ booming extra-point made it 7-0.
The defense wasn’t close to being finished. The star of the unit was sophomore Corey Marshall.
On Liberty’s next possession, the 6-1, 250-pound defensive lineman picked off Potts as he was under extreme pressure. It would be one of three turnovers forced by Marshall.
“We have opportunities, we just have to capitalize on them when they come,” the well-spoken Marshall said. “It’s all about all three phases working together. It’s a team effort.”
It took only one play for Morgan (18 for 25, 235 yards, four TDs; 19 carries, 60 yards, TD) to cash in, finding Terron Adams from four yards out in the flat en route to a 14-0 advantage.
Liberty responded to tie the contest on a 15-yard scamper by U.Va.-bound Corey Lillard (14 carries, 109 yards) and a 74-yard toss-and-catch from Potts (8 for 16, 184 yards, three INTs, two TDs) to Derrick Lee (four catches, 126 yards, two TDs).
But it could’ve been worse.
The Eagles drove to Dinwiddie’s four-yard line down 14-0, only to have Parson take down Lee on a fourth-and-two play as he tried to convert on a reverse.
Dinwiddie’s offense couldn’t break the 14 knot, so Marshall did.
He grabbed Shaheem Jones in the backfield and ripped the ball from him, racing 32 yards to paydirt, his second TD of the season.
The play jumpstarted Dinwiddie’s potent attack. Morgan ripped off a 56-yard post pattern to Jackson (6 catches, 144 yards, TD) for a 28-14 advantage that Dinwiddie took into halftime.
Different half, same story.
Liberty trekked to Dinwiddie’s four-yard line again, only for Marshall to force and recover Ryan Burroughs‘ fumble.
You guessed it, Dinwiddie turned it into points.
A 10-play, 96-yard drive, keyed by a Morgan 63-yard bomb to Jackson, resulted in Mark Beville reaching paydirt for this score, a five-yard toss from Morgan.
“He’s a champion. He’s a warrior,” emotional Dinwiddie coach Billy Mills said of his stellar QB, who now owns the state’s passing records for completions, yardage and touchdowns. “Nobody deserved to be where he is right now more than Adam Morgan. I can’t be more proud of that kid.”
And how could you not be proud of Dinwiddie and the job Mills has done, changing the Generals from a team reaching short of the .500-mark each year from 2001-2006, to potentially a state champion.
Perhaps Marshall said it best.
“Stepping up on the big stage really, really makes you someone worth talking about.”
Liberty 7 7 0 7 – 21
Dinwiddie 14 14 7 7 – 42
D – White 7 pass from Morgan (Chad Jones kick)
D – Adams 4 pass from Morgan (Jones kick)
L – Lillard 15 run (Jordan Hunter kick)
L – Lee 74 pass from Potts (Hunter kick)
D – Marshall 32 fumble return (Jones kick)
D – Jackson 56 pass from Morgan (Jones kick)
D – Beville 5 pass from Morgan (Jones kick)
L – Lee 6 pass from Potts (Hunter kick)
D – Morgan 1 run (Jones kick)
Liberty – Lillard 14 carries, 109 yards, Damien Dodson 7-37, Potts 2-20, Ryan Burroughs 4-13, Shaheem Jones 2-12, Cortez Carter 2-11; Dinwiddie – Morgan 19-60, Beville 8-26, Hall 2-6
Liberty – Potts 8 completions, 16 attempts, 3 interceptions, 184 yards; Dinwiddie – Morgan 18-25-0-235
Liberty – Lee 4 receptions, 126 yards, Lillard 3-49, Kenny Tapscott 1-9; Dinwiddie – Jackson 6-144, White 5-27, Beville 3-25, Sam Haskins 2-19, Chris Hall 1-6, Terron Adams 1-4
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