Tony Dorsett came from Aliquippa, PA but his School District was Hopewell because his House was across the Street from Aliquippa, School District. Tony had 3 Older Brothers all great but that dates back to 1960s starting with Ernie Dorsett breaking many Track Records, then Tyrone 1967, that had Hopewell Winning Big too, then Kicky in 1969 but only played as Junior. All great as TD but opportunities were not as much. Hopewell was predominantly a White School and only had a handful of African-Americans. Many Players Sons whose Parents were on the School Board got selective opportunistic favorable playing by All White Coaches. Even SEC Basketball LSU Pete Maravich also born in Aliquippa and his Father Press kept trying to change the LSU Policies.
A New Coach in Butch Ross took over in 1970 and saw instant talent in Dorsett and Mike Kimbrough. Kimbrough actually played more on Offense in 1970 than Dorsett. Tony played Roving Monster Man in 5-2 Oklahoma Defense mostly as a Sophomore. He ran a few times on Offense but not much in 1970 season.
In his Junior Year First Game against Ambridge ranked 4th in the State, the first play Tony caught a short pass and ran for 70 yard Touchdown and went on to score 3 more too and his Running Back days were born and still played some Defense. He was known as Hawk by his Teammate because of his eyesight and great vision.
The Team Doctor at Hopewell was Dr. Zernich and all Pitt Grads and his Brother Michael was a star at Pitt and MD too. They help create the Golden Panthers mostly, highly successful Doctors, Lawyers, and Dentists and helped bring Johnny Majors to Pitt too. They all knew about Tony Dorsett early on and by his Senior Year so did the Nation as Tony was one of the most sought after Running Backs names in New Parade All American Magazine.
HIGH SCHOOL HOPEWELL GAME ON YOUTUBE NOT GREAT BUT TONY IS #33:
