The Hogs
Well tomorrow we have a lot to be thankful for, but it should be an everyday occurrence! I think we take everyday for granted….I have news for you…..your dreams can change in an instant! So tomorrow when we are with our loved ones…..Give them all a big hug and tell them how much you love them.
The offensive line may be the most critical component to a football team. These no-name guys never get the credit they deserve but when you have a depleted group of guys manning the trenches…..it is apparent to all. The offense will go no where….totally stymied….with no productivity. But when you are solid up front….all you hear about are those star QBs and RBs. It all starts and ends with the OL.
The OL begins with their position coach. In most instances they will model themselves after their position coach. Good or bad, they will mimic his strengths or weaknesses. In my years of coaching I’ve been so blessed to have some incredible MEN lead this stunt group. At Temple City I had Bob Hitchcock Jr. At Redlands HS, in those 25 years, I had only 2 guys coach the OL. George Tesla for 2 years and Kevin Haugh for 23 years. George had been at RHS years before I got there and he was a tough guy, old school. Kevin joined me from Poly HS in Riverside where he had started his coaching career with Mike Churchill. Kevin was one of the smartest most dedicated guys I’ve ever been associated with. And his players were an extension of him. Kevin is a no nonsense kinda guy but his OL guys loved him. Kevin also ran our weight program. In fact Kevin is still coaching on the varsity at RHS….and they are very blessed to have him.
My own heart has always been with these guys a well. I started my coaching career with the hogs at Alemany HS and St Paul HS. As a Head Coach I understood how important an Offensive line coach is…..He’s worth his weight in gold…..and gold for an Off Line coach is cheeseburgers. =)
I’ve already mentioned some OL guys in some of my previous posts….John Hughes, Alan McCall, Jake Thompson and Emanuel Tekin. They were all great guys! (and still are!)
As I thought back….and my memory isn’t the greatest these days…a few guys jumped out…..one of the last guys I coached was Alfred Edwards….6’7” 285….Still playing at Utah St….What a great guy with an incredible family. In fact most of the guys that played OL had great family support and were the salt of the earth….the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Jared Layel….even with his bad feet…=)….Was an all time guy. Like John Hughes…a throw back tough guy. Justin Corrales was a rock…….Jordan Smith went onto to play at SDSU, incredible feet and athleticism. Kevin Gavigan, great student athlete and leader for me. Sebastian Pedersen was one of my favorites. Played both ways…OL and DL. He used to smoke cigarettes as well….I asked one season if he had quit…he responded…” Yep. Only smoke menthols now!”. So proud…..=) Cameron Marriot was a junior my last year but he stood out….VERY INTENSE. In 06’ some guys with John Hughes….Nate Schultz, Eric Schessler, Kevin Teagarden, George Morones, Andrew Haigh and Brandt Martinez may have been one of the best overall units. I loved one guy who always gave the team his best…..but we always had a tough time fitting him with a helmet because of his ears…Miguel Herrera…=) One guy only wanted to play QB….at 6’5” he was a gifted player…I always told him he was scholarship guy at OL….He left the team and then returned his Sr year to play on the def Line…..He went on to play at a JC and received a College scholarship….as an Offensive Lineman….Kel McPeck. Imagine That! Andru Yanez was a great center for us and proved hard work pays off!
In my next blog….a few more guys on the OL that made my day….Talk Soon….Jim