DINWIDDIE — It was a game of records and goodwill at Dinwiddie High School Monday night.

Quarterback Adam Morgan broke two VHSL records but more importantly the Generals advanced in the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

Dinwiddie, after a sluggish first possession, reeled off 38 unanswered points and rolled to the 38-7 victory in the Group AAA Central Region Division 5 football playoffs on Monday.

The game was postponed from Friday, when the heavy rains and lightning came, but this game was started with temperatures in the upper 30s. The field had dried but the Generals appeared to suffer a little drought in the game's first three minutes.

The Central District champions spotted the Rebels a 7-0 lead but that would be all the defense, led by Jason Ampy would allow. The Generals got moving on the third possession and dominated the game from there.

"Give Douglas Freeman credit," Dinwiddie coach Billy Mills said. "They are a class act and they came in here to play. They hadn't been to the playoffs and a long time and they played with a lot of heart. They were inspired and they were flying to the football.

"It took us a little getting used to but then we settled down."

Ampy, a 5-9, 180-pound junior linebacker, paced the team with 11 tackles, three for a loss, and two sacks. He had two key sacks on Douglas Freeman quarterback Sam Jacobson that resulted in the 21 yards of minus yardage for the visitors.

"He's been solid for us all year," Mills said. "But his biggest game came tonight and he knows it happened because the defensive line is doing its job that allows him to make plays."

According to Ampy, the defensive line pressence allows all the defensive players the ability to do their job.

"We were attacking all night," Ampy said. "We couldn't do anything if it wasn't for Brian Belangia, Deonte Chambliss, Keith Abbey and Corey Marshall doing their job up front. That allows the linebackers like Andre Thweatt, Bradley Johnson, Richie Williams and myself to do our job.

"Plus the defensive backs Terron Adams, Pierre Hawkes and Brandon Parsons can do their jobs too. And they all played great tonight."

Dinwiddie's first drive ended after three plays on a fumble recovered by Douglas Freeman's Doug Fraser.

Four plays later the Rebels running back Robby Blanchard ran in from 16 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. Otto Leon connected on the point-after-attempt as the visitors took the 7-0 lead three minutes into the game.

The Generals answered quickly, on the first play on the ensuing drive quarter when Morgan hit Jerrell White for the 36-yard gain. Three plays later, Morgan went in from the 1 yard line. Chad Jones tied the game at 7-7 with 8:56 left in the first quarter.

On the Generals next possession, they moved the ball adequately but were forced to attempt a 33-yard field goal, that Jones just missed. However, the senior kicker added a 23-yard field goal with 31 seconds before intermission to provide the 17-7 halftime score.

In between the two field-goal attempts, Morgan hit Adams in the right corner of the end zone for the 38-yard toucdown.

On a historic note in the first half, with 7:30 left in the second quarter, Terron Adams made a circus catch on a pass from Morgan. The reception gave Morgan the VHSL record for most completions in a career at 610. he broke the record held by XXX.

Douglas Freeman plays a rotating QB system between Jacobson and Carter Slough. Although, Jacobson the 5-11, 180-pound junior took the majority of the snaps one this night. Slough, who has a younger brother — Will Slough — on the team is a 6-2, 182-pound senior.

The second half belonged to the home team.

In the third quarter, Douglas Freeman got a boost from a 30-yard return on the opening kickoff by Monty Smalley. But the drive stalled at the 24-yard line and the Rebels were forced to try a 41-yard field goal. Leon's kick was short and Dinwiddie took over at the 20 with 7:20 left in third quarter.

The Generals took a mere six plays and 2:24 minutes to go 80 yards and got back on the scoreboard when Morgan hit White with the 22-yard pass on the left side that resulted in the team's third TD of the night. Jones added the PAT for the 24-7 lead with 4:56 left in the third quarter.

The TD from Morgan, left the 6-0, 200-pound senior one shy of the state record for a career TDs.

On the Rebels next possession, Dinwiddie linebacker Andre Thweatt intercepted a pass from Jacobson and returned it 25 yards to the 30 yard line with 1:49 left in the third period. However, the Central District champs were unable to muster anything and turned the ball over to the Colonial District team from Henrico County at midfield to start the fourth quarter.

Three plays later, Adams intercepted Jacobson's pass intended for Blanchard at the 12 yard line.

This set up Morgan's second state record of the evening. Following a 11-play drive that used 4:19 off the clock, the Central District player of the year hit White for his second TD of the game, from 4 yards out. With the score, Morgan broke the state record for completions with 106. It was the second ball of the game that Morgan received, carried off and will put in a trophy case.

Morgan said it was a little difficult getting loose in the cold weather, so he loosened up in between reps.

"It was the cold weather," Morgan said. "I was trying to keep my arm loose. The defense made some big plays that got us pumped up and then we started to connect."

Although Morgan deferred the credit to his receivers and receivers.

"I could accomplish any of this without the help of my coaches, my parents, my grandfather, my brothers and the receivers. Also, the offensive line has given me the protection I need to make the plays."

Adams, who finished with a game-high six receptions (96 yards), had a couple of superb catches early that helped ignite the offense. He also had five tackles and an interception on defense.

Morgan finished the game 19 for 29 for 339 yards and three TDs while White had a game-high 142 receiving yards on five catches. Sam Haskins (4-24), Mark Beville (2-20) and Quintaze Jackson (2-58) rounded out the receiving corps for the evening.

The only downside for the Generals was they suffered two injuries during the game — Beville and senior lineman David Abbey. Beville left the game after he turned his ankle while Abbey received at "stinger" with just under three minutes in the game and was taken by rescue workers to a nearby hospital for precaution.

With the win, the Generals improved to 10-1 and will entertain Hanover 24-14 winner over Monacan, in the Central Region Division 5 championship game. Game time is 1 p.m. Douglas Freeman ended its season at 7-4.

Douglas Freeman 7 0 0 0 — 7

Dinwiddie 7 10 7 7 — 31

by Thomas Dozier