Preview: Varina needs a return to form
This is the year for Dominique Sumter to lead
by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757
The Woodside Wolverines are one of many teams gearing up for a tumultuous August. One-Day camps and 7-on-7 play fill the schedules of many prospects attempting to get a few last minute looks before August brings a different type of heat.
Woodside was the host school for this past weekend’s B.W. Webb Camp. This was the third installment for Webb in as many years which saw players far and wide make the trip out to Woodside High School. For some, this was a weekend of celebration. Kids got the chance to perform drills while also getting the chance to meet a few of their heroes.
Adjacent to the baseball field, there was a group of high school players. It was only natural that Woodside brought out more students than any other high school. Among the most notable for the Wolverines was starting quarterback Tyhier Tyler. Tyler was dressed but didn’t play until 7-on-7 action started. Dominique Sumter was another notable player in attendance for the Wolverines. The rising senior has gone under the radar to outsiders who don’t travel in the direction of the paw-printed entrance that leads to Woodside.
Saturday afternoon was not taken lightly by Sumter who looks to elevate his game by the start of the regular season.
“Some of teammates talked about heading up to the school on Saturday so it wasn’t a surprise. We knew we were going to be there. We had a lot of guys like Kendall Bell and Tyhier (Tyler) come out. There was a lot of competition there from other schools from all over. My goal was to really go out there and support my two younger brothers who were on the field. At the end of the day, we had so many guys ready to go I thought maybe I should head out there myself. Being able to be out there with my guys was important because that’s the type of competition we need moving forward. Tyhier is the ring leader so it was important to me for him to come out and lead the the pack,” stated Sumter.
Sumter (JR MLB 6-1 210) is born and bred in Newport News and has been playing football since the age of six. Sumter started out playing in the Denbigh recreational league for the Patriots and has elevated himself since. The Woodside product made the decision early in his football playing career to play for the Wolverines. The alternative was to play for Coach Marcellus Harris and the Denbigh Patriots. Both are great options. Coach Harris has been monumental to the players that have come through Denbigh’s program. Sumter has been around the Wolverines since his eighth grade year waiting in the wings to step into a leadership role.
“I’m excited to be possibly be stepping into a leadership role this year. At Woodside we’ve had games where we’ve won and lost by one point. We’ve also have had games where we’ve blown out teams and have gotten blown out ourselves. I’ve been through all of that with a lot of guys still standing by my side. I really think it prepped me for the the moment that is about to approach me,” said Sumter.
It’s been a long journey for Sumter throughout these last three years. His freshman year, he battled for a varsity spot but wasn’t awarded one. After a year of playing with the junior varsity squad Sumter was moved up to varsity where he occupied the starting tight end position. It was in his junior season that Sumter was able to start to make a big splash on the defensive side of the ball. Sumter was able make strides across across the offensive side of the ball catching seven passes for slightly over year. This, only a year after being named to the 757 All Freshman/Sophomore Team as a First Team Offense tight end. The Newport News native credits the guys in the trenches who work everyday with him as the reason he’s able to progress at a high rate year after year. Sumter is not intimidated by others who appear to match the same ability he possesses and believes he can match the intensity of anyone placed in his way.
Coach Danny Dodson has played a huge role in what Sumter has become as a player. What’s more deeply rooted is how beneficial Coach Dodson has become in teaching him how to become a better overall person.
“Coach Dodson is a great guy. I talk about all the time and how he’s able to deal with family, school, and football and keep all three separated. He’s definitely taught me a lot about leadership type factors especially when it comes to school. When I first started playing football he’d be the main coach I’d gravitate towards. He is always there to put me right where I need to be and he never let’s anyone walk around with their head down. I just think that he’s a real great guy,” stated Sumter.
Leadership and game play is what will lead Sumter to gaining his first offer. The Woodside Wolverine is yet to field his first offer heading into his senior season. At this point, Sumter is open to any and everyone who would be interested in his services. He’s already been to a few camps and looking to attend many more before August rolls around. Sumter took a trip out to Old Dominion University last week and he’ll been heading out to Davidson this Friday. James Madison University, Marshall University , and a couple of other schools are on the radar for Sumter. Outside of where Sumter plans on making trips to, the plan is to continue building relationships with coaches he’ll run into.
“Before I look into the the future I have to deal with what’s going on right now. I’ll continue to work with my guys and continue to do the things I need to do to become a great player,” added Sumter.
Look for more to come from Dominique Sumter and Woodside as they prepare to hit the road against the Golden Eagles of Glenoak (OH) in Canton, Ohio in late August.
– Brandon Mitchell
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