2023 Season Preview Dover

Dover went 9-3 last year to have one of the most successful seasons in recent years. Wayne Snelbaker is entering his 9th year as Head Coach. The program has had some up-and-down years since he has been Head Coach, but part of the issue was Dover playing up in Division 1 of the YAIAA and playing schools that were much bigger than them. Last year they moved back down to Division 2 of the YAIAA. Coming into this year Dover returns a ton of talent from one of the most successful seasons they have had in recent years. I expect them to be competitive and have a chance at winning Division 2 of the YAIAA.   Top returning players:    [player_tooltip player_id='377550' first='Thomas' last='Smyser']. Smyser is an underrated prospect in the 2024 class. He is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands. He runs good routes and catches the ball well from his wide receiver position. Below is what I wrote about Smyer earlier this year:   Smyser played wide receiver last year for Dover. He has legit speed. When he gets into the open field he is gone to the end zone. He is also a kickoff and punt returner for Dover who made a ton of big plays. As a wide receiver, he is very good with contested catches. He has the ability to create separation and then make a big play in the passing game. He also has very good hands and does a nice job making difficult catches. Smyser is someone who came on the scene last year for a big year and with a good Senior year, he should have a good chance to play College Football.    [player_tooltip player_id='769368' first='Logan' last='Schade']. Schade is a late bloomer, who is going into his Senior year with a lot of momentum for a strong finish to his high school career. Below is what I said about Schade earlier this year:   Schade played right tackle for Dover last year. He has great size standing 6'6", so that height is ideal for a tackle. Schade has good feet and moves very well. He is also a good athlete that does a nice job chasing linebackers. He is good at double-teaming defensive tackles and then peeling off to block linebackers. Schade also does a good job in pass blocking. Because he is a good athlete he does a nice job staying in front of defensive linemen. Schade has a ton of talent and should only get better. I expect him to get some College Football looks with a solid Senior year.    Brayden Zirkle. Kirkle played inside linebacker and tight end last year. Kirkle showed good skills at both tight end and linebacker. At linebacker, he showed good instincts by reading and reacting to the play and then coming upfield to make a play. He is a good tackler who tackles well in the open field. At tight end, Kirkle is a good blocker who can block from different angles. He is good at both an inline blocker and an off-ball tight end. Kirkle showed in his film he had good instincts at running routes. He knew how to set defenders up and create separation. He can also catch the ball well. Kirkle is a good prospect that should have a chance at playing College Football with a strong Senior Year.    [player_tooltip player_id='618752' first='Reese' last='Husson']. Husson is another talented player for Dover. He played linebacker last year and was a dynamic pass rusher for Dover. Below is what I wrote about Husson earlier this year:   Husson played outside linebacker for Dover last year. Husson played mostly as a stand-up outside linebacker for Dover last year. He is a good athlete that runs all over the field making plays. He showed the ability to attack off the edge and make plays in the backfield. He is good at setting the edge and either making a play or forcing it inside. Husson really makes his mark at blitzing off the edge. When he comes off the edge on a blitz he shows his athleticism by making plays in the backfield. Husson is a good athlete who should continue to flash his skills.    Aric Campbell. Campbell played quarterback last year. He has good mechanics from the pocket and does a solid job of setting his feet and throwing the ball. He showed good head movement in the pocket by looking one way and throwing to the other side of the ball. Campbell also does a nice job of knowing where he wants to go with the ball while reading the defense. Finally, Campbell shows the ability to tuck the ball down and run for hard yards when the opportunity presents itself. Campbell showed good skills last year at quarterback and I expect to see a growth this season.    Zach Townsend. Townsend played wide receiver and safety last year. At wide receiver, he showed a good ability to catch the ball well in traffic. He runs good routes and can catch the ball when defenders are around. He is also good after the catch as he is able to make people miss in the open field. Townsend at safety is a good player that always plays the deep ball well. He also has good ball skills and if the ball is in the air he can go up and make a play on the ball. Townsend is good player who should be a big contributor for Dover this year.    Philip Ford. Ford is a talented defensive back. Below is what I wrote about him earlier this year:   Ford played cornerback for Dover last year. Ford is a good cornerback who makes plays all over the field. He does a nice job in coverage and especially does well in giving space in coverage and then coming up and making a play a ball. He also has good ball skills. Several times on film he made plays on the ball and had interceptions. Then when he intercepts the ball he is a good athlete and can run for big returns. He is also good at providing run support by coming up and making tackles on the ball carrier. Ford is a good prospect that has a ton of skills.   Final Thoughts: Dover is a talented team coming off one of there most successful seasons in a while. I expect them to be competitive this year again and maybe even win a Division Title. It will not be easy with New Oxford winning the Division Title last year, but I would not count out this Dover team.

Dover went 9-3 last year to have one of the most successful seasons in recent years. Wayne Snelbaker is entering his 9th year as Head Coach. The program has had some up-and-down years since he has been Head Coach, but part of the issue was Dover playing up in Division 1 of the YAIAA and playing schools that were much bigger than them. Last year they moved back down to Division 2 of the YAIAA. Coming into this year Dover returns a ton of talent from one of the most successful seasons they have had in recent years. I expect them to be competitive and have a chance at winning Division 2 of the YAIAA.