Dolan is a Warrior for the Avengers

June 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Imagine the look on first year Fort Worth Avengers head coach Darrel Brummett’s face when he saw Greg Dolan. The Avengers were a play away from the TUFL title game last year, and many considered them to be one of the best teams in the league. All the Avengers needed to reach the TUFL Super Bowl might be a premier player. At 6 foot 6 and 305 pounds offensive tackle and deep snapper, Dolan looked the part. It didn’t take coaches long to find out he had played big-time college football.

Dolan following a playoff game

“Greg showed up at practice and talked to us for a few minutes. We told him to suit up and let us take a look at him,” according to Avengers co-owner Gary Fulenwider. “He put on his University of Texas Alamo Bowl jersey and Tarleton State University helmet and took the field.”

The immediate impression has been felt all season by teammates and coaches alike. “By far Greg Dolan is one of the best offense lineman the Avengers ever had,” said Avengers receiver Alex Martinez. “The guy is impressive even when we are just tossing the ball around. He makes one handed catches all the time.”

Dolan did play for the Texas Longhorns where he won a National Championship. Dolan was a Super Team performer for Dave Campbell’s Texas Football as well as the number 27 prospect in the state of Texas for Rivals.com coming out of Round Rock’s Westwood High School in 2004. He was all district two years, a first team All-Central Tex two years, and Second Team 5A all state his senior year. Dolan definitely has an impressive pedigree.

After a few seasons at Texas, Dolan transferred to Tarleton State in Stephenville where he kept impressing and picked up an outstanding offensive lineman award. Even though he is a lineman, it is his athleticism that impresses.

“We were immediately impressed with his strength and quickness,” said Fulenwider about Dolan’s first practice. “We ran a sweep to the opposite side. Greg bumped his guy to the outside and took off down field. He not only caught up to the ball carrier, but got out in front of him to block.”

“What he brings to the table in speed, strength, tenacity and nastiness,” said Dolan’s position coach, James Baltimore. “He is an offensive lineman that plays with the attitude of a defensive lineman. His technique is great and he follows the plan to the letter. I haven’t seen him take off any plays, he’s just a 100% motor-running go-getter.”

That may be what makes Dolan ready for the next level. “Greg doesn’t say much; he lets his play prove it,” according to Brummett. “His goal is to get pancake blocks in the double digits. He is an unbelievable player, and he will be in the league (NFL) by this time next year.”

Baltimore added, “He, in my opinion, is the best in this league I have seen in years. He is ready for the next level and beyond.”

Greg Dolan with his face paint

In spite of the accolades, it is his girlfriend, Ashlyn, who keeps him grounded. “She is the most amazing person, and without her I don’t know where I would be today,” Dolan said of Ashlyn Riley. Dolan is equally thankful for her family. “They are an amazing family, and they have taken care of me and are the reason I am playing for the Avengers team; they are the most kind and generous people I know and they have a very special place in my heart,” he said by email. Ashlyn’s brother played baseball and football with Brummett’s son D. J. which is how the Avengers found the pro prospect.

Dolan’s game-face is always an interesting site. Dolan wears a purple mouth-guard and sometimes dons the face paint. Indeed, Dolan is a warrior helping the Avengers in the trenches, and the face paint is a symbol of the warrior’s attitude. Nevertheless, Baltimore says he has to correct his patterns sometimes.

Dolan and the Avengers will play the North Texas Stampede in the Northern Conference Finals Saturday night, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Keller High School.

Tale of the Tape

Name: Gregory Scott Dolan II

Position: Offensive Tackle/Deep Snapper

Team: Fort Worth Avengers

Size: 6′6″

40 yard time: 5.1sec

Bench Press: 29 reps 225lbs.

Squat: 550lbs.

Power Clean: 320lbs.

High School: Round Rock Westwood

College: University of Texas @ Austin/Tarleton State University