2025 Preview: Dreher Blue Devils

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dreher hasn't gotten over the .500 mark since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and the amount of talent loss from last season will make it extremely hard again this time around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dreher lost its two leading receivers, two leading rushers and three top tacklers. Several players that produced last season transferred out, only adding to the amount of lost production. The players are cognizant of the turnover, but they're also confident in what they have returning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We're very aware of what we lost, and we know it's quite a lot," senior defensive tackle <strong>Amarii Ellison</strong> said. "We've been working hard to replace what we lost internally and some of the younger guys are responding well."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellison is one of just five seniors on the Dreher roster, meaning that juniors such as offensive lineman <strong>Price Bernard</strong>, quarterback <strong>Walker Rowe</strong>, safety <strong>Dvion Carter</strong> and others will have to produce at a high clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernard (pictured) knows that the talent gone from last season is going to be extremely hard to replace, but he also knows that trying to go above and beyond to replace it isn't the answer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We just have to be us and focus on the small things," Bernard said. "That means showing up to practice early, really focusing on stretching the right way and anything else. All those things are more important than anyone realizes."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter knows the season will be about playing for each other and doing everything they can to lift each other up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Our coaches just want us to stick together," Carter said. "We are being asked to constantly lift each other up and I think we're doing a good job at it and it's making us better players and teammates."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Price Denard</strong> OL, 2027 - Denard will be one of the leaders of not only the offensive line, but the entire team as a whole. His ability to play both guard and center will be crucial to take some of the pressure off the younger offensive linemen that are expected to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amarii Ellison</strong> DL/OL, 2026 - If Denard is the leader of the offensive line, then Ellison is his co-captain. He is able to play both guard and tackle, as well as moving to the other side of ball to play defensive line. He will be expected to do quite a bit on both sides, and he is up to the challenge and looking forward to the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592244' first='Brandon' last='Mack']</strong> RB, 2026 - Mack should be another star on the offensive side of the ball and the team has high hopes for him this season. He is quick in the open field and is a catalyst to break off a long run at any point during the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dvion Carter</strong> DB, 2027 - Carter had a bit of a breakout year as a sophomore last season and that is expected to carry over again this year. He had 37 tackles and with the top three tackles from last season gone, anywhere from 65-75 tackles feels extremely doable for Carter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Justin Jones</strong> DE/RB, 2027 - Jones can perform at a high level both ways and that is clear when turning the film on. He's a strong runner out of the backfield when needed and he can also get into the backfield from his defensive end spot, as showcased by his four tackles for loss last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/24092212/67291ca186296d8276735906' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688a440eca746"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Willie Smith</strong> LB/RB - Each Dreher player we spoke to was adamant that Smith was no doubt the best player on the team last season. He rushed for 1,067 yards and 18 touchdowns. No other player had more than 340 rushing yards or five rushing touchdowns, meaning his 1,000-plus yards will be hard to replicate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameron Gilmore</strong> DB - Gilmore was the top player on defense last season and had a knack for being around the ball at all times. He had five interceptions, 10 passes defended and one fumble recovery on the season. He is now playing Division II football, and he will be sorely missed on the Dreher defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865375' first='Willie' last='Mazyck']</strong> DL, 2028 - Mazyck is one of the younger players expected to produce at a high level this season. He has a big frame and has been complimented for his speed off the line and ability to make tackles for loss in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Davis</strong> DE, 2028 - Davis, much like Mazyck, will also be expected to have a big role on the defense. He's a little quicker than Mazyck and could put up bigger numbers due to his speed and ability to get to the backfield in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1741868,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Walker Rowe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dreher","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688a440ecc9ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rowe will be entering his first full season under center, and he expects himself to do big things. His pocket presence is one of the things he can improve, and he made it known that he is working on that. With a full season as the starter, Rowe should continuously gain confidence and have a solid season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->