Defense will play crucial role as Dinwiddie tries to extend its Division 5 run

In both of its Central Region playoff games, Dinwiddie's first possession ended in a turnover.

Coach Billy Mills said he thought the importance of the game had his athletes trying a little too diligently to make the right play.

"I think it's just excitement," he said. "These kids want to win so bad and they want to make plays. They're such a tight-knit group and they press real hard."

He was also quick to say it was the Generals' defense that kept those games in check until the offense righted itself, settling into its rhythm and chipping away at visiting teams.

Today, as Dinwiddie hosts Liberty-Bealeton in the Group AAA Division 5 semifinal, the Generals' defense will have to deliver yet another commanding performance.

The spotlight at Dinwiddie usually follows the high-flying offensive act. Quarterback Adam Morgan is master of a show that includes brilliant receivers, hard runners and the trained horses along the offensive line.

And sometimes the defense has been relegated to the role of guy with the broom, trailing along behind.

Three weeks ago, Dinwiddie won by just one point in a Central District shootout with Meadowbrook. Defense can't be too sparkling on either side when the two teams combine for 97 points. But the Generals' defenders did stop the two-point conversion attempt in overtime for a win and the district title.

Since that stop, they've been holding their own.

In the Central Region semifinals, Dinwiddie's defenders held Douglas Freeman to seven points -- less than a third of the Rebels' average coming into that game.

Last week in the regional championship game, Dinwiddie held Hanover to 10 points until the final minute. The Hawks, whose offense averaged nearly 27 points, have a physical running game that may have been good preparation for Liberty.

The Eagles traditionally feature an aggressive ground game. This year, they have the personnel to punish opposing defenses.

Senior Corey Lillard (5-11, 194) rushed for three touchdowns and more than 200 yards as the Eagles swept to a Northwest Region championship last week. The U.Va.-bound running back is Liberty's second leading rusher, behind junior Wayne Fleming. Senior quarterback Nick Potts keeps the attack balanced, passing for more than 1,700 yards this season.

And the offensive line looks brutal on paper. Left tackle Kory Gough is a 6-6, 252-pound senior committed to Virginia Tech. He's joined by guard Ryan Grimes, at 6-7, 252.

Within the Central Region, that sounds a lot like Meadowbrook's highly-regarded offensive line, anchored by a standout left guard and tackle. But in the two outings since tangling with Meadowbrook, the Dinwiddie defenders have played like an improved squad.

"It takes all three phases to win a football game," sophomore defensive tackle Corey Marshall said after the last win. "It's not about one person, it's about the whole team as a group and collectively we did our job. And that's what we've got to do to keep winning."
Contact Andee Sears at (804) 649-6210 or asears @timesdispatch.com.