Football: The nightmare continues: Dorsey's ready to roll (08-31-06)
By Tommy Keeler Jr. (Daily Staff Writer)
WINCHESTER — The nightmares will continue this season for coaches unlucky enough to have Handley on their schedule.
As if quarterback J.J. Dorsey didn't create enough havoc as a sophomore last year, this season he has come back stronger than ever.
Last year was his first as Handley's signal caller; in fact, it was his first as a quarterback at all. This offseason, Dorsey worked hard on getting stronger, and now he can throw the ball even better than before.
"I think I've improved my accuracy," he said. "I played in a seven-on-seven league and did well there. I think I'm going to have a better year this year."
The desire to get better is what makes Dorsey stand out. During games, he is constantly working when he's not on the field, quarterbacks coach Dan Jones said.
"I see him off to the side, working on his steps and throwing balls," Jones said. "Nobody has to tell him to do that — he just does it on his own."
Dorsey was a running back his freshman year, when he was brought up to the varsity team for the playoffs. He grabbed everyone's attention by almost breaking free for a long run against Broadway in the Region II final.
After the Judges lost to Poquoson in the Group AA, Division 3 state semifinals, Jones asked Dorsey if he wanted to play quarterback as a sophomore.
"I thought he was joking, but I guess he was serious," Dorsey said. "Even when we started practicing last year, I didn't think I would be starting. I definitely didn't think I'd have the year I had."
Once Dorsey found out he was going to play quarterback, he got some advice from someone who knew what he was going through — L.A. Anderson, who moved from wide receiver to quarterback in Dorsey's freshman year.
"It was tough filling L.A.'s shoes," Dorsey said. "L.A. is a close friend of mine and he just told me to give it my best. And that's what I went out and did."
Topping last year's success won't be easy. Dorsey passed for 2,168 yards and rushed for 1,592 more, leading the Judges to the Region II final, where they lost to Turner Ashby.
The bad news for other teams in the area is that Dorsey's best is likely still to come. With a year of experience under his belt, Dorsey is more comfortable running the offense, and his athleticism makes him tough to stop. Since he is able to frustrate a defense by both running and passing, teams never know what to expect.
"He's very competitive," coach Tony Rayburn said. "He wants to win at everything he does."
Dorsey would like to play defense, but the Judges hope that won't happen. Rayburn said they would like to keep him fresh by just playing him at quarterback, but lack of depth at defensive back could force Dorsey to play both ways sometimes.
"I like being able to hit people," he said. "[Linebacker] Phil Madagan is good at getting everybody fired up and he makes you want to go out and hit somebody."
The Judges' season ended on a sour note last year. Turner Ashby rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to win the Region II, Division 3 title.
"That loss just motivated me to work harder," Dorsey said. "I think it motivated everybody. I think this team has the ability to go as far as we did last year and even further."
No matter how far Handley goes this season, one thing is sure: Opposing teams will be up all night trying to figure out how to contain Dorsey's all-around game.
"They had L.A. the year before and when he left, you think maybe you have a shot," Strasburg coach Glenn Proctor said. "And then they bring in J.J. He can hurt you with his feet, with his arm.
"He was a sophomore last year, but he didn't play like a sophomore. You don't see too many kids that can play at that level at that age."
