2023 Preview: Dorman Cavaliers

Jed Blackwell July 21, 2023 @ 08:07 PM

One more time, Dorman is in a strange situation.   After nearly three decades of stability on the west side, the Cavaliers now have their third head coach in as many years. This time, though, Jake Morris takes over with deep Dorman roots, as he looks to take his alma mater back to the top of 5A. So far, the Cavaliers have done just what he expects.   "We've really come together as a team this spring and summer," Morris said. "We have a great senior class, great leadership, and the team has bought in and everybody's rowing in the same direction."   Dorman's success will rely on some familiar faces and some newcomers. The defense returns a ton of experience and speed.   "We're very fast on the back end," Morris said. "I think our LBs and secondary will help us tremendously, just with how athletic and fast they are. We're young up front on both sides of the ball, and we graduated a lot of key positions last year.   On the offensive side of the ball there will be several guys who have to step up and lead. Travon Fernandez will take on a bigger role at receiver, Jarvis Pearson moves over from TE and has excelled at RB in the spring and summer, and [player_tooltip player_id='809750' first='Landon' last='Greene'] (pictured) is turning into a leader on an OL that was hit hard by graduation. Here's a look at some other Cavaliers who will look to lead the way.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1144090' first='Brannon' last='Teamer'] RB, 2024 - Teamer is a three-year starter at safety for the Cavaliers, and is expected to lead the way in the secondary for Dorman. Last year, he had 65 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass break-ups, and three forced fumbles.   David Sorensen QB, 2024 - Sorensen was pressed into service last season and played well, and now he'll be looked to for leadership. Morris calls him a very tough player, and expects him to take charge of the Dorman offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359211' first='Keenan' last='Arcega-Whiteside'] WR/TE, 2025 - If that name sounds familiar, it should. Keenan is the younger brother of former Dorman, Stanford, and NFL standout J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. And he's got some of the same gifts, with a big body that he combines with basketball instincts to high-point and win 50/50 balls. He's got plenty of speed, and will likely contribute at both WR and TE for the Cavaliers.   FILM REVIEW   Owen Hendricks LB - Dorman's returning Defensive MVP, Hendricks is a textbook MLB. He had 84 tackles, three sacks and four TFL in 11 games last year, with two pass break-ups and a forced fumble. Hendricks will gladly meet RBs in the gap, and he plays well in pass defense.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] S, 2026 - Anderson is one of several young guys with a ton of upside for the Cavaliers. He's solid in the defensive backfield, and dishes out some punishment with big hits.   [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] WR, 2026 - Hainsworth will be one of the guys Dorman looks to as they identify downfield playmakers early in the year.   Parker McMillian OL, 2026 - With huge losses up front on the OL, McMillian will be a player who the Cavaliers expect a lot from early on.

One more time, Dorman is in a strange situation.