Terrell makes smooth transition to Osbourn Park

By Dave Fawcett

Published: September 11, 2008

At first, Dominique Terrell wasn't sold on the idea of transferring to another school. But he slowly changed his mind after his father pointed out the upside of making such a move.

Zach Terrell Sr. felt his son could attract more interest from college football teams if he played at a bigger prep program and faced a higher level of competition.

With under 700 students, Manassas Park, the Group A school Terrell played for as a freshman, was too small.

In his father's mind, Osbourn Park, a school just down the street from Manassas Park with over 2,000 students, provided a more ideal fit.

"He was reluctant because of leaving his friends, but I talked to him and asked him to give it a try," Zach Terrell Sr. said. "I thought it would be better for him."

So far, the transition has been a smooth one.

A year after accounting for 11 touchdowns in five games as a freshman quarterback at Manassas Park, Terrell has picked up where he left off last season.

In Osbourn Park's 26-7 season-opening win last Friday against visiting Colonial Forge, Terrell showcased the speed that earned him Bull Run District titles in the 100 and 200-meter dashes last spring.

The 15-year-old sophomore scored two touchdowns, one off a 73-yard punt return and another off a 60-yard run. He also set up the Yellow Jackets' first score with a 52-yard punt return.

"Being a player from a Single-A program, you might wonder how he will handle play on the Triple-A varsity level," Zach Terrell Sr. said. "I asked him after Friday's game about it, and he said 'There was no difference.' "

Terrell, who entered the season rated among the nation's top 100 sophomores by MaxPreps.com, said he felt nervous before the game, but once he got on the field, he settled in.

"I want the ball in my hands every second," Terrell said.

The decision to transfer his son to another school was something Zach Terrell Sr. said he had been thinking about since last season.

His oldest son, Zach, had also starred at quarterback at Manassas Park, leading the Cougars to the 2004 Division 2 state title.

But while his numbers were impressive (he ran and passed for over 2,000 yards in earning Group A state player of the year honors his senior season), Zach received a modicum of interest from colleges. He is currently playing for Liberty.

In Zach Terrell Sr.'s eyes, his oldest son's chances of drawing more college interest was hampered by playing at a small high school.

"As far as colleges go, Zach Jr. got some looks, but he should have gotten more," Zach Terrell Sr. said. "By going to a small school, that might have hindered that."

Zach Terrell Sr. had to convince his wife as well as Dominique that going to another school was the right move.

Zach Terrell Sr. said the family considered Osbourn, but eliminated the Eagles because they already had a quarterback. Osbourn Park, however, had graduated its starting quarterback in Aaron Lee.

In addition, the Terrells liked Yellow Jacket head coach Brian Beaty.

"Nobody talks bad about Brian Beaty," said Zach Terrell Sr. "They all said good things about him. And he gets his kids into college."

Unable to sell their house because of the slumping market, the Terrells moved into an apartment in Osbourn Park's zone.

In his first five games last season, Terrell threw for 641 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 412 yards and five touchdowns.

Struggling with a nagging groin injury, Terrell did not play the final five games so he could let the injury heal, Zach Terrell Sr. said.

Manassas Park's new head coach David Coccoli was aware Terrell might leave.

"I told him I'd be happy to coach him, but the family needs to make the decision they need to make," Coccoli said. "I hold no grudges over that. He's a great talent and athlete, but I will work with the players I have. We've moved forward."

Beaty said the only familiarity he had with Terrell was that he had heard of his brother Zach.

"I realize that Manassas Park is not that far away, but these are two different worlds," Beaty said in reference to the disparity in enrollments between Manassas Park and Osbourn Park. "I've never seen Manassas Park play."

When Terrell arrived, Beaty took a wait-and-see approach as Terrell adjusted to the system.

"He's done a great job," Beaty said. "He practices hard, but like all 10th graders, he's got things to learn. There's no question, the young man has talent."

Although he was nervous about playing his first game with Osbourn Park, Terrell was thrilled with how well everything fell into place for himself and his new team.

"I surprised myself," Terrell said. "I didn't think I would do that well. We got on a roll and things started clicking together."