PREP FOOTBALL: Dock among standouts in All-Star Game

EMORY, Va. – Damon Dock lingered on the football field at Patrick Henry High School late Friday night. He slapped high-fives with old rivals, exchanged handshakes with new friends and flashed a wide smile for his coaches.

“I’ll always remember this week and night,” Dock said. “It’s a special way to close out my time with high school football.”

The former Virginia High standout helped to guide the Gray to a 22-12 win over the Blue in the first Southwest Virginia Ramsey-Selfe Blue & Gray All-Star game.

The ambitious event served as a showcase for athletes throughout Southwest Virginia. Players practiced twice a day in the 90-degree heat, including sessions with full pads at 8 in
the morning, for three days at Sugar Hollow Park. They roomed together at Virginia Intermont College and dined in Bristol.

According to Dock, the bonding process came quick and it carried over into the game.

“I’m not sure about the Blue team, but was instant chemistry for us,” said Dock, who is hoping to join former VHS star Shaka Andrew at Albany State College. “It feels so good to be
back on the field and to play some football - Southwest Virginia style.”

Other stars for the Gray included Haysi quarterback Chris Fleming, Patrick Henry receiver Nick Groves and George Wythe lineman Drew Lester.

Fleming earned offensive MVP honors, as he connected on 12 of 14 passes for 106 yards and two scores. The powerful Lester was named defensive MVP.

The Gray compiled a total of 257 yards while the Blue was held to 77. Lester was a menace to the Blue offense.

Operating coolly from a spread formation, Fleming directed a methodical drive on the game’s opening series. Displaying poise and a quick release, Fleming hit Groves with an eight-yard scoring pass.

“It was cool scoring the first touchdown of this all-star game, but the best thing was getting to play with guys from all these different schools,” said Groves, who caught eight passes for 78 yards. “We made friends quick and that helped in the game.”

Dock scored the second touchdown, faking out a defender with a nifty stop-and-go move en route to a 7-yard run late in the second quarter.

Other standouts included for the Gray include former Virginia High quarterback Andy Bowers, linebacker Zach Fleenor (John Battle) and Tazewell defensive back John Corner.

Elliott Wohlgamuth (Castlewood) collected an interception for the Blue, while William Divers (George Wythe) and Corner supplied interceptions for the Gray.

Fleming hit J.Rod Blevins (Chilhowie) on an 11-yard scoring pass in the third quarter to give the Gray a 22-0 lead.

Relentless fullback Antah Johnson bulled for both scores for the Blue while rushing for 45 yards on 11 carries. Dakota Meade (Honaker) and Lucas Smith (Lebanon) collected nearly
10 tackles apiece for the Blue.

“I only scored one touchdown in high school, and that was on defense,” Johnson said. “This game was more than we expected and it was a lot of fun. A lot of times we get
overlooked in Southwest Virginia, but this was a good night to show everybody how serious we are about football in this region.”

Johnson, who earned a scholarship to University of Virginia-Wise, was also selected for the upcoming VHSCA all-star game in Hampton.

Emotions ran high in the final minutes on both sides, but Dock said that just added to the memories.

“This was one of the most intense games I’ve ever played in,” Dock said.

Lebanon’s John Adams, who served as an assistant for the Blue, was among a VIP group of coaches from across the area. The coaches stayed in the dorms with the players.

“Everybody put a lot of effort into this game, and it was a super experience overall,” Adams said. “To see guys from schools like Gate City and Lebanon playing together was great.
There was a little tension on that very first practice, but after that we were all buddies.
“The kids just wanted to play football, represent their schools and have a good time. It was a good game, and I hope we do this again next year.”

agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544