Rocky Hill’s T.D. Dashing to Franklin Pierce

Rocky Hill senior Tyreice Dominique, pictured with head coach Rich Dance, has committed to play football and study criminal justice at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. 

Rocky Hill senior Tyreice Dominique has left a lasting impression on all of his teammates, coaches, and the community.
           
This past season, Dominique impacted both sides of the ball—starting at quarterback and defensive back—earning all-state honors for a Rocky Hill team that won five games, the program’s most win since 2017. 
           
Rocky Hill’s ‘Human Highlight Film’ will now continue his gridiron career at Franklin Pierce University where he will join an up-and-coming Ravens football program in New Hampshire next fall. 
           
Dominique said one of the main reasons he chose Franklin Pierce is because he would have a chance to start right away, adding “I am part of a small percentage of guys that can play in college, so it’s unreal.”
           
Rocky Hill head coach Rich Dance said that Dominique embraced and thrived in any challenge the coaching staff ask of him, even when they approached him to play quarterback.   
           
“He didn’t want to at first, but he worked so hard on his own. That says a lot, what you do when nobody is watching,” added Dance. 
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fter a year lost to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dominique returned this past fall in the best shape of his life, willing and ready to play ‘ironman’ football.
           
The dual-threat field general ran for 1200 yards and threw for 661 more. He also lived up to his initials T.D, scoring seven touchdowns on the ground and four more through air.
           
“He had no experience playing quarterback before and he put the offense on his back,” recalled Dance. “We had a great line and great receivers, but the offense ran around Tyreice.”    
           
On the defensive side, Dominique registered a team-high five interceptions and added three pass deflections.
           
His production was vast, yet his coach said it was another trait that allowed him to flourish as a leader.
           
“He has incredible toughness. I knew he was athletic, I knew he was fast and agile, but what I found out this year was how tough he was,” added Dance. “He’s not a big kid but he never missed a down. He took a beating, but he got up every time and played every single down.”
           
Dominique's ability to take a hit and keep ticking bled over to his teammates. 
           
Senior captain Sean Asante recalled seeing Dominique’s football fortitude during a season-opening win over East Catholic. 
           
“He was tired and completely drained and I was thinking he definitely needs to take a break, but he just kept going and that was something that helped us win the game,” said Asante. “Looking at how hard he has worked has definitely made me a better player. It made me work harder for everything I do.”
           
Junior captain Alex Peruta added that Dominique showed him the importance of playing with passion and about what it’s like to be a leader, saying that Dominique would text him in the middle of the night about strategy for upcoming games.  
           
“He always put his heart out there on the field and sometimes when things aren’t going your way people will give up, but Tyreice was always playing as hard as he could. That was really inspirational,” added Peruta. 
           
Dominique is leaving the comforts of Rocky Hill, yet he’ll have some familiar faces around him in Rindge, NH next fall.  
           
Franklin Pierce’s 2022 recruiting class includes Newington’s all-state gadget player Austyn Howe and Manchester’s all-state quarterback Adrian Parker, who Dominique grew up with in Manchester before moving to Rocky Hill following his freshman year. 
           
The Ravens, who are coming off a winless season, are reconstructing a roster full of local talent.  
           
“Everybody loves the underdog. I love the underdog, so being part of the team that is on the way up is cool. They really put value into the team,” said Dominique. 
           
Franklin Pierce recruited him as a defensive back and he prefers to play safety, but his position versatility and athleticism will allow him to excel anywhere on the field.  
           
Dominique, who has also played receiver, said his experience playing quarterback gives him an edge, adding, “It has helped me know or predict where the ball may be going. I can tell when the quarterback is leaning to one side or about to pump fake it, so it does help a lot.” 
           
“I can’t say how much he’s meant to the team,” Dance said of the departing Dominique. “He made the coaches better, he made the players around him better, and it’s been a pleasure to coach him.”
           
Dominique, who will major in criminal justice in college, said he looks forward to the next-level competitions, adding, “I can’t wait to get started.”