by The last time the Tarblooders took the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, they brought home their first state championship, primarily due to D’Shawntae Jones’s three-touchdown performance. On the same field Saturday night, Glenville kicked off the 2023 season with a 36-13 thumping of the Dinwiddie Generals. This time the senior RB put up 134 yards and four touchdowns, only playing the first half.
Generals Strike First, Tarblooders Respond
After going three and out on their first drive, Dinwiddie made the most of their second chance with the ball. Star QB Harry Dalton capped off a ten-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run to put Dinwiddie up 7-0.
Glenville wasted no time in responding as Jones busted off a 51-yard touchdown to even things up at 7-7. On their next possession, Ruel Tomlinson hooked up with Damarion Witten for a 46-yard gain, setting the Tarblooders up on the Dinwiddie one. The next play was a handoff to Jones, who plowed into the endzone for the one-yard score, putting Glenville up 14-7 early in the second.
The Generals would fumble the ensuing kickoff, and the Tarblooders recovered, setting up shop deep in Dinwiddie territory. On the third play from scrimmage, Jones took in his third touchdown of the half, this one from 20 yards out to make it 20-7 Glenville.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, Tomlinson would flash the arm again as he found Quency Rogers down the field for a 70-yard touchdown pass. After missing an extra point on their last attempt, the Tarblooders converted the two-point try to extend their lead to 28-7.
Glenville wasn’t finished scoring, though, as Tomlinson found Witten again, this time for 46 yards, and Jones took the next handoff for a ten-yard touchdown, making it 36-7 Tarblooders at the half.
Defense Stands Strong
After a dominating first half, Glenville went to their bench a lot for the remainder of the game. Despite playing against a defending state champion, the defense held tough and kept the Generals off the scoreboard for most of the second half.
Dinwiddie would make one final push with time running out late in the fourth. After starting the drive on their own 19, Dalton led the Generals down the field, taking it in himself from six yards out as time expired. Despite the late score, Glenville came away with a dominant 36-13 victory.
Keys to the Game
If anybody thought there would be a drop-off for Glenville after last year’s title, tonight proved they are sorely mistaken. The defense was suffocating, and the offense moved the ball at will. At 5’11 235 pounds, it’ll be tough to find a team that can take down D’Shawntae Jones, especially come playoff time. Ruel Tomlinson looks to be settling in at QB just fine, and he has a ton of skill guys to throw the ball to, especially Ohio State commit Damarion Witten.
Next Week
After opening their season with a big win, the Tarblooders will travel to Olentangy Liberty to take on the Patriots next Friday night. Olentangy Liberty fell 28-17 in their opener against Pickerington Central.
Top Performers
Dinwiddie Generals
Harry Dalton: 10-22 26 yards 1 INT 18 carries 126 yards 2 TD
Raphael Tucker: 17 carries 53 yards
Glenville Tarblooders
Ruel Tomlinson: 7-9 196 yards 1 TD
D’Shawntae Jones: 11 carries 134 yards 4 TD
Quency Rogers: 2 catches 75 yards 1 TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Dinwiddie 0:57- Harry Dalton, 2 yard rush (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Glenville 11:51- D’Shawntae Jones, 51-yard rush (kick good)
Glenville 9:02- D’Shawntae Jones, 1-yard rush (kick good)
Glenville 8:14- D’Shawntae Jones, 20-yard rush (kick no good)
Glenville 4:11- Ruel Tomlinson to Quency Rogers, 70 yards (2 pt. good)
Glenville 2:48- D’Shawntae Jones, 10-yard rush (2 pt. good)
4th Quarter
Dinwiddie 0:00- Harry Dalton, 6-yard rush (no PAT)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Dinwiddie | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Glenville | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
