2022 Preview: Dorman Cavaliers
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For the first time in more than a quarter of a century, Dorman has a new face under the main headset. Dustin Curtis steps in for Dave Gutshall, who retired last year after a Hall of Fame career. Expectations are…
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Continue ReadingFor the first time in more than a quarter of a century, Dorman has a new face under the main headset.
Dustin Curtis steps in for Dave Gutshall, who retired last year after a Hall of Fame career. Expectations are sky high in Roebuck, as the Cavaliers had a big turnout for Spring practice and as the community gets to know Curtis and several other new faces on the staff.
As the clock ticks closer to kickoff, attention is turning to the real deal, and to Friday nights. And it’s quickly becoming clear that Dorman has a chance to be good.
So that hasn’t changed.
The strength of the Cavaliers is up front, and a pair of Power 5-caliber linemen will lead the way. Markee Anderson Markee Anderson 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Dorman | 2023 State SC has a host of SEC and ACC offers, among others, and DJ Geth DJ Geth 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Dorman | 2023 State SC (pictured) has committed to North Carolina.
“Both those guys are as good as advertised,” Curtis said. “Both move exceptionally well, they run well in the open field, they can make contact in space, they pull well – those are all of the things you typically see in P5 guys. And they’re both great kids. They work hard, and they’re good leaders.”
They’ll be joined by fellow seniors Graham Smith and Daniel Storch up front.
“Graham is probably the strongest guy in that group, and he moves well,” Curtis said. “I expect him to get recruited. Daniel has worked so hard for us, and I’m really proud of him and his growth. Those four seniors up front are a pretty special group.”
They’ll be tasked with clearing the way for a ton of talented players at the skill positions. Demarius Foster Demarius Foster 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Dorman | 2023 State SC is a shifty, dynamic back who catches the ball well out of the backfield and who can make people miss with top-end speed. He’ll be complemented by Kendell Lewis, more of a straight-ahead, physical runner.
“Any time you can mix a bruiser with a home run threat, you have a chance to have a pretty good running game,” Curtis said. “Demarius had a hamstring issue during track, and we didn’t want to push him, but we saw him last week in the 7-on-7 at Limestone, and he looked great. Kendell had a great Spring for us, and he’ll be a nice change-of-pace.”
DJ Porter leads a deep receiving corps that includes Emo Fowler, Keenan Arcega-Whiteside, Jay McClintock, Anthony O’Rourke, and Tra’Von Fernandez.
“We’ve got a group with speed, explosiveness, and depth,” Curtis said. “We don’t feel handcuffed in any way with any of those guys, whoever is playing. We have a lot of guys competing for spots, and it’s a lot of fun to watch them.”
Hudson Lee is back at QB for Dorman, and Curtis said he’s worked hard in the offseason.
“Hudson has done what he needs to do to win the job going into camp,” Curtis said. “He’s been working hard to sharpen his decision making and his timing, and he’s really grown. The difference from mid-June to mid-July has been impressive.”
Defensively, the Cavaliers are replacing some key pieces, but Curtis is excited to see the progress of some players stepping into those roles, particularly up front.
“Justin Conyers, Kelvin Broadhurst, and that group have held their own against a good offensive line, so we’re excited about them,” he said. “Javin Bradley, Charles Smith, Will White, Brannon Teamer Brannon Teamer 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Dorman | 2024 State SC , and Greyson Parris are all guys we’re expecting a lot out of. All those guys on the back end have good range, good length, and they run well. We think we can cover man-to-man, but we’ll also force some tight windows in zone.”