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Dover's Abrams happy to give Senators an offensive spark

By Andy Walter
Posted 12/6/22

DOVER — At 5-foot-6, 145 pounds, Tyron Abrams can only dream about what life might be like if he was bigger.

“I wish I was bigger every day,” he said with a laugh. “But I …

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Dover's Abrams happy to give Senators an offensive spark

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DOVER — At 5-foot-6, 145 pounds, Tyron Abrams can only dream about what life might be like if he was bigger.

“I wish I was bigger every day,” he said with a laugh. “But I can’t help it so I just make do with what I’ve got.”

Indeed, Abrams’ size hasn’t stopped the senior running back from making more than his share of big plays for Dover High’s football team lately.

After lining up on defense only for much of the season because of a hand injury, Abrams has scored five touchdowns in the Senators’ two DIAA Class 3A state tournament victories.

Those pair of wins have put sixth-seeded Dover (8-4) in the Class 3A state finals against Henlopen North rival Smyrna (11-1), the top seed. The title game is slated for 3 p.m. on Saturday as the second of three football state championship games at Delaware Stadium.

Against a Smyrna squad that has outscored its two state tourney opponents by a combined 98-0, the Senators know they’re going to need all the offensive firepower they can get.

Abrams’ recent emergence adds to an offense that already includes receiver John Parker, running back Jakwon Kilby and quarterback Nahseem Cosme.
Second-year Dover coach Chip Knapp saw Abrams’ big-play potential last fall.

It was just a matter of him getting the cast off from the injury he suffered in pre-season.

“Coach (Jason) Hunt talked about how he would add another explosive element to our offense,” said Knapp, referring to the Senators’ offensive coordinator. “Coach Hunt, he was right. We saw that explosiveness at Sussex Central and the last couple games.

“He’s the type of player who can change the complexion of a game with his big-play capability. That Sussex Central one in the earthquake (formation) was the perfect example of what he can do.”

In Dover’s 20-0 upset of No. 3 Sussex Central in the state quarterfinals, Abrams broke out of a bunch formation for an 86-yard scoring run that gave the Senators a 14-0 advantage.

In Dover’s two tournament victories, Abrams has four touchdown runs of at least 32 yards, He also caught a 24-yard scoring pass from Cosme.
Abrams said there’s nothing like scoring a touchdown.

“It’s great,” he said. “You score and the crowd, they’re hype. The players are running up to you. They’re giving you hugs, they’re all excited. Offense is where everybody gets excited.”

While Abrams still played safety with his wrist injury, he missed playing offense. He made honorable mention all-district this season.

“Catching the ball hurt a lot,” said Abrams. “I tried practicing with the cast on but Coach said, ‘No.’

“Offense is just fun. On defense, you can stop them. But offense puts up the points. Playing on both sides is fun.”

“You can never have too many weapons,” said Knapp. “We’d like to have a couple more. We’re not there yet but Tyron is a welcome addition to our offense for sure.”

Four years ago, Abrams was playing on the freshman team at Caesar Rodney. A Dover resident, he school-choiced to CR for just the one school year.

But Abrams is glad he came back to his home district. Now he gets to play with some long-time friends in the Senators’ first appearance in the state finals since 2001.

“My friends were telling me, ‘Come to Dover,’” said Abrams. “It just worked out. There was just a lot of love. Everyone was excited to see me.

“It’s amazing — the fact that I’m going to the championship with all my friends that I grew up with.”

Extra points

Abrams is one of only 10 seniors currently on the Senators’ roster. Smyrna has 23 seniors. ... The Senators and Eagles are both 3-1 in their four trips to the state finals. ... This will be the sixth time in the last seven seasons that at least one Kent or Sussex County school will be in the Class 3A/Division I state title game.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at walter@iniusa.org. Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.

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