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Knights, Generals have a short week to get ready for a tall challenge

Posted at 4:20 PM, Oct 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-06 16:20:28-04

Dinwiddie, Va. – They are two of the most successful programs in Central Virginia, and have taken turns getting the better of each other over the last decade. While the outcome of this Friday’s game of the week between Thomas Dale and Dinwiddie won’t keep either of them out of their respective playoffs, the winner will get a huge leg up in VHSL power points that could help determine how long they get to play at home in the post season.

RECORDS: (6)Thomas Dale 4-1  (1)Dinwiddie  5-0

LAST WEEK: Thomas Dale def. Prince George 49-7  Dinwiddie def. Matoaca 45-7

SERIES: Last 5, Thomas Dale leads 3-2. Last ten, series tied 5-5

Last Thomas Dale win: 2015 28-13

Last Dinwiddie win: 2013 21-0

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Dinwiddie does not have a runner or a receiver inside the top 15 in yards gained in the area, but they are outscoring their opponents by more than 40 points per game. QB Bryce Whitt is the highest rated QB in the area through 5 games with 991 yards passing and 12 TDs against just 1 INT

The Knights are led by RB Max Oxendine who has 6 TDs this year. They righted their shop after a 33-0 loss to L.C. Bird with a win at Varina and two blowout victories over Colonial Heights and Prince George. Starting QB Matt Lawton returned from injury in last week’s win.

QUOTEABLE: Kevin Tucker, Thomas Dale head coach on his team’s resurgent defense: “I think a lot of credit has to go to the kids. Our coaches are putting them in the right places and we’re coaching them up well, but when you get to Friday night, it’s on them. They have to turn it up well. Dinwiddie executes so well on offense. They’re going to be the most prepared team we play all year.”

Billy Mills, Dinwiddie head coach on QB Bryce Whitt: “He’s done a great job of passing the ball around, distributing the wealth and taking what the defenses are giving him. The coaching staff has done a good job of making adjustments and the kids have executed. We’re not doing a lot of different stuff. In his (Whitt’s) third year as a starter, I’ve put more on him than I have in the past, making more decisions pre-snap. He’s got more checks and he’s done an incredible job.”

Sean Robertson with more on the respect between these two coaches and programs: