What isn't mentioned there is that with a start against JIB this week and Pound next week Dotson will have started more games for Clintwood than any player in the school's history.
Dotson is Clintwood's Ironman
By Tim Hayes
Published: October 28, 2010
John Dotson loves football.
That?s no clich? or exaggeration.
The Clintwood High School senior seriously can?t get enough of it.
His smile never fades when discussing it.
He hasn?t missed a practice since the third grade.
As a native of Clintwood, he knows and respects the storied history of the Greenwave?s program.
He has weekly conversation with his uncle and long-time area coach, Jim Dotson, about the nuances of the game.
But above all else he has a passion for playing. He?s started at center in 48 straight games for the Greenwave, becoming an Ironman of sorts in the Lonesome Pine District.
He?s savored every minute of his prep experience.
"I love everything about it," Dotson said.
Clintwood running back Mancel Powers broke into a grin of his own when asked about his teammates? affection for the sport.
"He loves it," Powers said. "He pretty much grew up on it like we all have."
Dotson will get another thrill Friday when Clintwood (8-0) hosts J.I. Burton (8-0) in a battle of area unbeatens. A huge crowd is expected at Ralph Cummins Stadium and as he has every season since he was just a ninth grader, Dotson will be on the front lines hiking the ball.
"It?s become a really great rivalry [with Burton]," Dotson said. "I love the atmosphere of that type of game. There?s always a lot of people there. ? The preparation and everything for that game, it?s immense. We have to be on our game every time we play them. If we play anything less than our best, we?re not going to come out with a win."
Dotson has had plenty of wins, memories and highlights over the course of the last 48 games.
Center of attention
Clintwood coach Rick Mullins first noticed Dotson before he even suited up for Clintwood.
Dotson was always one of the bigger kids on the field throughout youth league and eighth grade competition and Mullins hadn?t overlooked the youngster.
However, he wasn?t quite sure how big of an impact Dotson would eventually have on the program.
"You don?t have many freshmen starting anywhere and we?ve certainly not had many freshmen start the first game of their [first] year," Mullins said. "But John?s been a pretty steady ballplayer for us."
Dotson?s first few practices at Clintwood actually saw him relegated to a deep spot on the depth chart ? at tight end.
"My freshman year, through two-a-days, I had been trying to play tight end," Dotson said. "I thought I was athletic enough to play that."
However, fate intervened on Dotson?s behalf.
"Something happened with our center, I can?t remember what it was and they needed somebody to fill in to play the benefit game against Honaker," Dotson said. "I stepped in and played that game and I?ve just been there ever since."
There was a learning curve for Dotson. Especially when he looked around at his fellow linemen and saw seniors and seasoned veterans.
"I had a lot of catching up to do," he said. "We had some good offensive linemen that year."
And how big were those butterflies during the 2007 season-opener against Coeburn?
"I was nervous," Dotson said. "I kind of got thrown in the fire. That was the most nervous I had ever been before anything I?ve ever done."
Dotson has started in two state championship games (losses in 2007 and 2008), three regional title contests and games in Kentucky, Tennessee and throughout Southwest Virginia.
He hasn?t taken his streak for granted.
"It?s been an honor, I tell ya," Dotson said. "It?s not just starting all those games, it?s the games I?ve played in. Not many people have gotten to play in the types of games I?ve got to play in. It?s just a blessing to be able to do that."
?Good guy?
Dotson is kind of an old-school football player. His "aw-shucks" attitude, humble nature and desire to play probably remind many people around ****enson County of the players of Clintwood?s glory years.
Dotson knows about that too.
A sign on the scoreboard points out the Greenwave?s three state championships and two large paintings depicting a Clintwood player and Cummins Stadium adorn the walls near the coaches? office.
Dotson isn?t ignorant about his school?s gridiron legacy.
"I love being a part of [the tradition] and I take a lot of pride in it," Dotson said. "It?s an honor just to play for Clintwood. Everytime you put on that jersey you know you have something special on. It?s a great honor to be able to play for a program like this and have success and continue it."
Cameron Vanover summed up his teammate in succinct terms.
"He?s a good guy," the defensive standout said.
A good guy with an impressive streak.
"I?ve played through a lot of things," Dotson said. "I just hope I can continue to do that through the rest of the year."
Clintwood senior John Dotson has started every game at center for the Greenwave since he was a freshman.
"There he goes, one of Gods own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die"
What isn't mentioned there is that with a start against JIB this week and Pound next week Dotson will have started more games for Clintwood than any player in the school's history.
"There he goes, one of Gods own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die"
this kid is amazing to watch play....a great leader and player....
Good for him. I've known John since he was a 7th grader and he's always been a good kid.
"Nothing is impossible. Some things are just less likely than others." Johnathan Winters
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