2016 Snapshot: Dunbar

For Dunbar it is time to take the next step. The Wolverines have played .500 football or better for 10 consecutive years. The program has lost at least three contests but never more than five every season in that span.

“We have the talent to compete with anyone in the state when we are at our best,” head coach Darran Powell explains. He would like his ball club to stay focused and learn how to finish “We tend to play good in spurts instead of putting together a whole game.”

Dunbar Head Coach Darran Powell (photo courtesy ScoutingOhio.com/Mark Porter)

Division IV, Region 16 is loaded with outstanding teams. Attention to detail will be paramount for Dunbar if they are to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

The Wolverines are experienced and have the tools to still be playing in November. “We are loaded with a team of mostly two and three year starters. We can score very quickly. This is a very, very, very fast team with all around good IQ and athleticism at every skill position,” Powell states.

A good start against some larger schools will give Dunbar the confidence it needs to get to the post-season. If that doesn’t happen the Wolverines still are still battle-tested enough to overcome setbacks. Powell’s squad is more than capable of being a menace each and every week.

Division IV, Region 16
2015 RECORD: 5-5, 3-3 SOPL American
COACH: Darran Powell (16-14 @ Dunbar, three years, 16-14 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Keyshawn Jones, Sr, ATH – A four-year starter Powell calls Jones “an explosive, electric football player and there is nothing he cannot do on the football field.” Despite playing just seven games as a junior, Jones was named Second Team All-Southwest District as a defensive back. He finished the year with 45 tackles, three tackles for losses, had a fumble recovery, two interceptions and five pass break ups. On offense, he caught 30 passes for 308 yards and five touchdowns.

Dunbar ATH Joseph Scates (photo courtesy ScoutingOhio.com/Mark Porter)

Joseph Scates, Jr, WR/DB – A gifted player, like Jones, Scates can do it all in all three phases of the game. He amassed 749 all-purpose yards and found the end zone nine times (six receiving, two kickoff returns, one interception return) as a sophomore. Scates has offers from Cincinnati, Toledo
and Eastern Kentucky.

Tavion Thomas, Jr, RB/LB – Dunbar is expecting a breakout year for the 6-foot-3 220 pound Thomas. “He is a very aggressive runner with good feet for his size. Has the ability to go the distance and tough yards. On defense he is fast off the ball with a good awareness to find the ball carrier,” Powell states. He was an Honorable Mention All-SOPL performer a year ago.

TOP RETURNEES
Jeffrey Wagner, Sr, RB – After running for more than a 1,110 yards as a sophomore Wagner saw injuries limit his time a year ago. Expect a big bounce back season in ’15.

Seth Arnold, Jr, LB – Part of a junior core of linebackers that has a world of upside. Arnold forced five fumbles, recovered three of those and returned two for touchdowns as a sophomore. “Seth finds himself around the ball a lot. He is a fiery competitor with good closing speed and sure tackling ability,” Powell says.

DeArmon Lewis, SR, DB – The sheriff of the Wolverines defensive backfield. “Lewis has a good football IQ. He can fly up and make a hit and can also patrol the secondary at safety,” Powell states.

Kamari Yow, Sr, OL – A returning starter at center, Yow should have an all-league caliber season blocking for all those outstanding skill players.

Jmir Thomas, Sr, OL – Thomas will provide Dunbar senior leadership and game experience on the o-line.

NEWCOMERS
Antwuan Johnson, Jr, LB/RB – A transfer from Springfield, Johnson has 121 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in two seasons as a varsity starter. He instantly makes the Wolverines defense a notch better. Johnson has already verbally committed to Michigan.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(seven appearances, 2-7) – 2010, 2008, 2002, 1995, 1991, 1990, 1986

Dunbar ATH Keyshawn Jones (photo courtesy ScoutingOhio.com/Mark Porter)

2016 SCHEDULE
Two of the Wolverines first three contest will be against larger Division II schools, Withrow and Princeton. The final five games will also test Dunbar’s mettle as they face Meadowdale, Division I Western Hills, Thurgood Marshall, Taft and Belmont. Thurgood Marshall and Taft will also be fighting and clawing with the Wolverines for one of the eight Division IV, Region 16 playoff berths. This ball club will be challenged every single week.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
Over the past two years Dunbar has averaged 31.0 points per game under Powell.

CLOSING OUT GAMES
The last three losses for the Wolverines in ’15 were by one at Shroder, by three to Meadowdale and by three at Taft. The loss to Taft in Week 9 was the difference between the Senators making the playoffs and Dunbar missing out. Dunbar finished 13th in the final Harbin Rankings while Taft placed in at #6.

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