Virginia High School League All-Star Football Game Report
By Bill Glose, Special Correspondent for HokieCentral.com, 7/15/00

Hampton -  Many have espoused that a team’s offensive line is the foundation for the entire offense. As goes your line, so goes your score. Tech’s starting offensive line for this year looks to be solid, anchored by four seniors. That’s both good and bad news for the Hokies. Good, since there will be plenty of leadership in the offensive trenches this year. Bad, since most of the line experience will leave at the end of the season.

With four seniors starting on the Hokie’s offensive line this year, recruiting solid lineman for the future is an essential mission. That mission has been accomplished this year with home-grown products showcased in Friday night’s VHSCA All-Star game. Two future Tech offensive lineman played for the East Squad in the All-Star game:  Jonathan Dunn and Travis Conway. 

Virginia Tech running back / linebacker recruit Josh Spence (Floyd Co.) had originally been scheduled to appear in the game for the West squad, but decided recently to pass on participating tonight.

Though Travis Conway (pictured at right) was given his scholarship primarily for his long snapping precision, he played the entire game at center, showing his line ability as well.  Conway also played on special teams as one of the front-line upbacks. Perched in the stands with pen in hand, ready to capture these future Hokie’s great feats, the opening kickoff dampened my spirits. The West kicker squibbed the ball. It skipped once off the turf and bounced off Conway’s facemask. The West team recovered the ball and drove for the game’s first touchdown on the ensuing drive. The next kickoff was a repeat of the first one – including the bounce – but Conway didn’t let this one get away. He fielded the skipping ball low and at the knees, dropping on it and gaining good field position for his team. "I did ok out there," said Conway, "but, that opening kickoff was embarrassing."

If he was embarrassed from the opening kick, his play didn’t show it. He put in an ironman performance, playing every offensive snap in addition to the kickoff returns. He motored around the field non-stop, chasing his blocks downfield and even flattening a couple of unsuspecting defenders. Asked what his best quality was on the football field, he replied, "Probably what [Virginia Tech] initially offered me for, my long snapping." For the most part, his snaps were crisp and on the money, especially the long snaps to the punter or place kicker. However, the East team ran a good deal of offense from the shotgun formation, and Conway bobbled one of the fourteen shotgun snaps to the quarterback during the game, resulting in a quarterback sack.

Fitting the mold of player that Beamer seeks, Conway seemed like a good kid, and he was unhappy with his performance on the field. As for myself, I knew ahead of time that he was a great long-snapper, but I didn’t know much about Travis Conway, the athlete. I came away from the game extremely impressed with his performance. The media guide listed him at 6’4", 235 lbs. But, he has gained 15 pounds since school ended. "I’ve been following the workout schedule and been eating a lot," said Conway. In addition, he dropped his 40 time down to 4.9 and raised his bench to 365. He should surprise quite a few people when he arrives on August 1.

Asked why he chose Virginia Tech, Conway replied, "I’ve always been a Tech fan, and I’m really impressed with the coaches, especially Coach Cavanaugh."

One of the most impressive physical specimens to take the field was the massive Jonathan Dunn (pictured at right), who hails from Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach. The media guide listed Dunn as 6’7", 318 lbs! In comparison, this year’s starting lineup for Virginia Tech has only one 300-pounder, Josh Redding, who tips the scales at 304. Dunn has dropped some weight since the end of school though, and is now down to a svelte 300. Asked how he dropped the 20 pounds, Dunn replied, "I’ve been running and working out with the track team." In addition to lowering his weight, the track workouts have lowered his 40 time to 5.1 – a time that will be lowered even more once Mike Gentry gets hold of him.

Dunn has the frame to be a truly great lineman. But, more than that, he has the desire. Asked what he expects of this year, Dunn said, "I’ll probably redshirt, but you never know. Hey, I could go in there and start!" His goals during this next year are "to get stronger and faster… better at my position, wherever they put me." And for the next four years? "To be the best lineman possible… to be the best at my position."

So, what does a 300-pound lineman need to work on? "Pass blocking is my strength," said Dunn. "But, I need to work on blocking linebackers." Don’t tell that to the West team linebacker who he pancaked on one play. "I think I did good tonight," he admits. "I think the whole offensive line did very well tonight."

His answer was similar to Conway’s about choosing VT. "The coaches and the players," said Dunn. "I like coach Stinespring a lot."

Dunn arrives in Blacksburg on August 1. "I can’t wait," said Dunn. "Tell them I’m coming and I’m ready to play."