Denbigh's Hollis Continues Football Life in Finland

From Daily Press Newport News Town Square edition of September 26, 2013. This is the original version before editing -- in other words, not adjusted to fit within a certain space .. laugh.

For Dwayne Hollis, perseverance has been his key to success.

(Right) On the video wall, Hollis
returns punt for a Rooster
record 93 yards

As a 5’8”, 125 pound sophomore at Denbigh High School in the mid 2000’s, Hollis was judged as too small to play football. A couple of his coaches tried to steer him toward cross-country, figuring that his slight build and natural speed would be better suited for trails, rather than pads. But the youngster refused to yield to adversity. Even while attending several distance running practices, he continued to mold himself into a football player, eventually tacking on 25 pounds and earning his way into the starting Patriot lineup as a senior cornerback.

Simultaneously, he also grew into a standout track athlete, competing in the short sprints for a Denbigh team that finished the 2007 outdoor season with a fourth place state AAA finish. Part of that success came from Hollis’ ability in the pole vault, where his drive for excellence helped him to develop into a 13-foot vaulter.

Although he had speed, the size was still lacking. But the word quit never entered the vocabulary of the Newport News native. He found a spot on the Division III North Carolina Wesleyan football team. Little by little, his skills honed and his physique grew. But the speed always worked to his advantage. Hollis became a return man, and by his sophomore year, he had scored a touchdown by interception, punt and kickoff return.

Hollis' final two years served only to bolster his status as a one man human highlight reel for the Bishops.

The accolades piled up. He became the first NCWC player to earn All-American honors, as a defensive back. Hollis was also chosen as a Beyond Sports (BSN) All-American as a return specialist. For his senior year, Hollis, now 5’9“ and 165 (about the same size as Redskins Hall of Famer Darrell Green), recorded four interceptions (one returned for a TD), 46 tackles and a fumble recovery, while averaging over 13 yards per punt return and 24 for each kickoff return (with three more touchdowns). It was hard not to notice the speedster, and his accomplishments earned Hollis a spot in the Division III Senior Bowl.

It also earned Hollis a great connection. Wide receivers coach Kevin Burant had worked for a year with the Helsinki Roosters and received a call from his former colleagues asking if he knew any potential return specialists. The link was made and a flight was booked.

Hollis immediately noticed that professional football was lower key in Finland. Along with a 10-game season, there was a more laid back attitude.

“We practiced about three times a week and usually played on weekends. I enjoyed the nightlife sometimes.”

He also got introduced to coaching, working with the younger Roosters team.

Although Hollis didn’t arrive until the fourth game, he made an immediate impact, helping Helsinki maintain an undefeated record while defending their Maple Bowl title with a 52-31 win over the Helsinki Wolverines. Despite his late start, Hollis led the Roosters in all-purpose yards with 883, and scored six touchdowns in seven games – four as a wide receiver and two on returns. In the championship game, he caught five passes for 96 yards and a 50-yard touchdown.

The best may be yet to come.

“I’m about to get an agent,” says Hollis, ready to continue his professional aspirations, whether they be in the Arena Football League, or Canada. But, the ultimate goal remains the NFL.

For now, he is putting his newfound coaching skills to work, helping with the defensive squad at his high school alma mater, which got off to a surprising 2-1 start. For Hollis, it was a natural extension of his football experience.

“Every summer, I trained for college football at Denbigh H.S.. I was going to coach there before I left (for Finland).

Overall, Hollis is pleased with the opportunity to continue his football career.

“It was good to go to another country because not too many people go to Europe, let alone to play the sport they love.”

What was most surprising about Finland?

“It was different because a lot of people walk and ride bikes everywhere. One thing that I found shocking is that they don’t use traffic lights on Sunday. And they use kilometers, not miles.”