High school football report: Atlee's Dewey celebrates a big moment with family
The phrase “defense wins championships” was popularized by legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The belief dates back through George Washington, back to Chinese “defensive coordinator” Sun Tzu over 2,500 years ago.
Week three proved all three to be correct. Benedictine and Midlothian continued their dominant defensive starts to 2025, and we were close to a scoreless overtime at Douglas Freeman, prevented by a 20-yard touchdown run by J.J. Parker to lead Hanover to a 2-0 start. But it was a 24-minute plus performance from Dinwiddie that stole the show, and sealed perhaps the signature win in the area so far this season.
Week 3 standouts
Shadarus Pickett, Armstrong: 9 carries, 182 yards, 4 TDs in win over Hertford (NC)
Kaevon Wiggins, Dinwiddie: 7 receptions, 171 yards, TD in OT win over Highland Springs
Brennan Ball, Mechanicsville: 32 carries, 306 yards, 5 TD’s in win over J.R. Tucker, ending an eight-game losing streak
Midlothian Defense: Allowed 79 total yards (-1 yard rushing) in 31-7 win over rival Powhatan where the Indians went 1-of-11 on third down.
Unsung heroes
Robert Pettaway, Dinwiddie: How about a 19-tackle performance, seven of which were for losses, and two of them in overtime to help preserve the Generals’ historic win at Highland Springs? An amazing night.
Patrick Liptrap, Hanover: The leader of the Hawks’ defense in a titanic struggle at Douglas Freeman, his 9 ½ tackles helped lead Hanover to a 7-0 victory over the Mavericks. Teammate Carter Alvis was by his side with 7 ½ stops.
Game of the week
#10 Glen Allen (2-1) at #6 Thomas Dale (2-0), Friday, 7pm
As we quickly approach the midway point of the season, it’s time to weigh playoff implications. Glen Allen sees Highland Springs with two losses in Class 5, Region C, but knows their strength of schedule could still be enough to top the Jaguars in the standings if both run the table. They see rival Hermitage, at 2-0, facing Varina, and Midlothian a game ahead at 3-0. There’s work to be done for a top seed.
For Thomas Dale, Class 6, Region A features Oscar Smith and unbeaten Manchester. They need every win they can to fight for a top seed themselves. Remember, with only nine teams in this region, their playoff grid will only carry six teams, meaning the top two seeds earn byes to regional semifinal play November 21.
Games we're watching
#3 Varina (2-1) at Hermitage (2-0), Friday, 7pm
The renewal of a rivalry that dates back decades will be a measuring stick for the Panthers as to where they truly stand. And Varina? We can guarantee if anyone on Route 5 thought the top seed in Class 4, Region B was theirs for the taking, that mindset evaporated after Dinwiddie defeated Highland Springs. Add to that Louisa, Caroline, Hanover and Spotsylvania all at 2-0 in the region, you can expect the Blue Devils to be all business when they get to Chester Fritz Stadium.
Thomas Jefferson (2-1) at Hopewell (1-1), Friday, 7pm
Former region rivals collide as the Vikings, moving from Class 3, Region A, the home of the Blue Devils, to Class 2, Region A, seeks back to back road wins after dominating Amelia 50-0 in week three. TeeJay is also “a game behind” the team that beat them, Armstrong, in the Region 2A standings, so wins over teams in higher regions mean extra points in the playoff race. Hopewell comes off their bye approaching a monster Central District schedule (Dinwiddie, Thomas Dale, improving Petersburg and Meadowbrook), so going 1-2 into that gauntlet is not where Ricky Irby and his staff want to be.
Games under the radar
Armstrong (3-0) at Goochland (1-1), Friday, 7pm
Almost a carbon copy scenario of Thomas Jefferson/Hopewell. Former Class 3 rivals meet with the Wildcats now in Region 2A, and trying to stack wins in a bid for the top seed. Goochland looks to build on the offensive momentum built in their win at Mechanicsville two weeks ago. The Bulldogs had a rare non-playoff season in 2024. A win Friday takes the program a giant step forward in their hopes to return to the Class 3, Region B playoffs.
James River (2-1) at Monacan (0-3), Friday, 7pm
The Chiefs have been outscored 180-33. James River played Manchester well for a half before falling 34-13. If the Rapids want to be considered legitimate playoff contenders in Class 5, Region C, they can’t lose trap games. James River finishes the season with, in order, Midlothian, Huguenot, and L.C. Bird. Every game between now and then, including this one, should be considered a must win in The Swamp.
High school football is family
One play can change a season. It can also remind us all of what holds the very fabric of high school sports together: family.
Daniel Dewey’s job defensively on a field goal try is to ensure no one leaks off the line or out of the backfield to try to catch a pass. The Atlee senior had no idea that, when Mike Jones blocked Mills Godwin’s late third quarter kick attempt, the ball would land at his feet. He did more than see it. Dewey collected it off the turf, found a wave of blockers, hurdled over one player and returned the block 97 yards for a touchdown that turned out to be the winning margin as the Raiders beat the Eagles 23-21.
It was, literally, a must win for Atlee, who would see their playoff chances in Class 4, Region B dwindle greatly with an 0-3 start. Now 1-2, they face a trip to winless J.R. Tucker Friday, then host archrival Hanover (2-0) September 26th.
What did Dewey remember most about the play? How did the team celebrate the win postgame?
“It was electric. I don’t know how else to describe it,” Dewey said of the locker room. “Had our prayer, Coach broke it down, and then I raced out because I had to go see my Papa.”
That’s right. Dewey interrupted his portion of the celebration to share the moment with Dr. William Dewey, his grandfather, who is the chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at VCU.
“The best part of it all? My 90-year old papa was there, and he saw the whole thing,” Dewey noted.
A season-saving play in front of a command audience. That’s high school football.
They said it
“Everybody said, you know, this guy’s not here, this guy’s not there anymore, Dinwiddie’s gone. We’re still here. We’re still here, man. Those kids fight like nobody else.” –Generals head coach Billy Mills speaking to the media following Dinwiddie’s dramatic overtime win at Highland Springs.
“I had Mike Jones right next to me shouting, ‘Dude you just brought it all the way, you just did it man!’. He was hyping me up. It was awesome.” – Atlee’s Daniel Dewey, praising Jones, who blocked the field goal, then hurried downfield to make sure Dewey went coast to coast.
Our final play
With high school football being such a community event, a quick reminder that negative fan behavior can follow you long after you leave the stadium. Don’t let neighbors see you at the local store and think, oh, there’s the guy that can’t stop screaming at the officials, coaches, and even players.
We’ve witnessed too many of them. Don’t be one.
Week 4 schedule
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18:
RSFA at Midlothian, 7pm
Charles City at Surry, 7pm
New Kent at Tabb, 7pm, Bailey Field
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19:
St. Christopher's at Norfolk Academy, 6:30pm
Armstrong at Goochland, 7pm
Churchland at Henrico, 7pm
Varina at Hermitage, 7pm
Salem at Dinwiddie, 7pm
John Marshall at Mechanicsville, 7pm
Mills Godwin at Hanover, 7pm
Highland Springs at South County, 7pm
Deep Run at Meadowbrook, 7pm
Douglas Freeman at Prince George, 7pm
Atlee at J.R. Tucker, 7pm
Glen Allen at Thomas Dale, 7pm
Cosby at Huguenot, 7pm
Clover Hill at Manchester, 7pm
James River at Monacan, 7pm
L.C. Bird at Powhatan, 7pm
Thomas Jefferson at Hopewell, 7pm
Louisa at Matoaca, 7pm
Colonial Heights at Southampton, 7pm
Caroline at King William, 7pm
Rappahannock at Mathews, 7pm
Lancaster at Middlesex, 7pm
Nottoway at Brunswick, 7pm
Nelson County at Cumberland, 7pm
William Campbell at Randolph-Henry, 7pm
Colonial Beach at Sussex Central, 7pm
Northumberland at Smith Mtn. Lake Christian Academy, 7pm
Eastern View at Liberty (Bealeton), 7pm
Chancellor at Massaponax, 7pm
Brooke Point at Spotsylvania, 7pm
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20:
Georgetown Prep at Benedictine, 1pm
Collegiate at Woodberry Forest, 2pm
Trinity Episcopal vs. St. Michael the Archangel, 5pm, Riverbend HS, Spotsylvania
