It's All on the Line
St. Anthony will rely on experienced offensive linemen after losing skill players
By Robert Morales, Staff Writer
(Photo: Left to right, St. Anthony High running back Thomas Brown, and offensive linemen Anthony Cardenas, Greg Ahle and Frank Hornberger. Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)
http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_13250491
Every high school football team goes through that cycle where it loses players to graduation, but usually it doesn't mean the loss of all of a team's skill players.
Such is the case with St. Anthony, which lost its quarterback as well as its running backs and top receiver.
"We lost basically our entire offense as far as production goes," said Saints coach Brian Walsh, whose team went 5-6 overall last season, 2-2 in the Santa Fe League.
St. Anthony does have a surplus of returning offensive linemen, however, and Walsh is going to put them to work.
"We are going to have to commit to the run, definitely, this year," he said.
Senior Frank Hornberger (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) will anchor the line.
Also back is senior Chris Xenios (5-11, 215). Another starter will be senior Greg Ahle (6-1, 225) - who started as a sophomore but did not play last season - and junior Anthony Cardenas (5-10, 216) is a front-liner after starting part-time last year.
Walsh said it's all on them.
"I addressed the linemen and said the same thing, that we are going to commit to the run," Walsh said. "I told them, `It is on your shoulders. It is up to you.' The burden is on them and I think they understand that."
They will be trying to open holes for starting tailback Thomas Brown, who is just a sophomore. No problem, Hornberger said.
"I remember having to talk to the other offensive linemen, since I'm a captain, telling each other we need to step it up and really pick it up and help Thomas Brown get a lot of yards," said Hornberger, recalling the aftermath of Walsh's meeting with the line.
Ahle said he and his linemates are up to the task.
"I look at it as a challenge," he said. "If we all come together, we'll make it happen."
Cardenas intimated the sky could be the limit.
"As long as we do our part and Thomas does his job, I think we'll go pretty far" he said.
Brown (6-3, 190) may be just a 10th-grader, but he knows what side of the bread his butter is on.
"To me, it's really more excitement," he said, when asked about the pressure on him. "But I mean, I'm nothing without my O-line. I'm just as good as my teammates."
Key newcomers to the offensive unit will include senior quarterback Lucas Johnson (6-3, 175) - who started the final two games last season - slot/running back Aleric Chapple (5-10, 167) and wide receiver senior David Martinez (5-9, 152).
Senior Greg Daniels (5-10, 174) started a few games at running back last season and figures to again see some time there.
Like last year, several of the team's top offensive players will play iron-man football.
Brown, who started at linebacker as a freshman, will be back in that spot again. Martinez will be at cornerback and Xenios, Hornberger and Cardenas will be two-way linemen.
Malek Sims (6-2, 185) started a few games at linebacker in 2008 and will start here in 2009. Sophomore Donnie Torres (5-8, 152) - a newcomer to the starting lineup - will be at defensive back. Daniels also will see some time in the defensive backfield.
As a unit, they will all be trying to get back to the playoffs after losing in the first round last year.
"St. Genevieve was league champion last year, so I would say they have to be the favorite," Walsh said of the Valiants, who were 4-0 in league last season. "But to be honest with you, I would have to say it's a very competitive league.
"I could see any of the top four teams winning league, excluding St. Monica; they're still in the rebuilding stage. The team that stays the healthiest and makes the least amount of mistakes is going to be the one that wins this league."
Some togetherness - especially in the trenches - could be the biggest factor.
"It's going to take a team, a brotherhood, to win league," Hornberger said Monday, "and I think we have it right here."
.
St. Anthony will rely on experienced offensive linemen after losing skill players
By Robert Morales, Staff Writer
(Photo: Left to right, St. Anthony High running back Thomas Brown, and offensive linemen Anthony Cardenas, Greg Ahle and Frank Hornberger. Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)
http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_13250491
Every high school football team goes through that cycle where it loses players to graduation, but usually it doesn't mean the loss of all of a team's skill players.
Such is the case with St. Anthony, which lost its quarterback as well as its running backs and top receiver.
"We lost basically our entire offense as far as production goes," said Saints coach Brian Walsh, whose team went 5-6 overall last season, 2-2 in the Santa Fe League.
St. Anthony does have a surplus of returning offensive linemen, however, and Walsh is going to put them to work.
"We are going to have to commit to the run, definitely, this year," he said.
Senior Frank Hornberger (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) will anchor the line.
Also back is senior Chris Xenios (5-11, 215). Another starter will be senior Greg Ahle (6-1, 225) - who started as a sophomore but did not play last season - and junior Anthony Cardenas (5-10, 216) is a front-liner after starting part-time last year.
Walsh said it's all on them.
"I addressed the linemen and said the same thing, that we are going to commit to the run," Walsh said. "I told them, `It is on your shoulders. It is up to you.' The burden is on them and I think they understand that."
They will be trying to open holes for starting tailback Thomas Brown, who is just a sophomore. No problem, Hornberger said.
"I remember having to talk to the other offensive linemen, since I'm a captain, telling each other we need to step it up and really pick it up and help Thomas Brown get a lot of yards," said Hornberger, recalling the aftermath of Walsh's meeting with the line.
Ahle said he and his linemates are up to the task.
"I look at it as a challenge," he said. "If we all come together, we'll make it happen."
Cardenas intimated the sky could be the limit.
"As long as we do our part and Thomas does his job, I think we'll go pretty far" he said.
Brown (6-3, 190) may be just a 10th-grader, but he knows what side of the bread his butter is on.
"To me, it's really more excitement," he said, when asked about the pressure on him. "But I mean, I'm nothing without my O-line. I'm just as good as my teammates."
Key newcomers to the offensive unit will include senior quarterback Lucas Johnson (6-3, 175) - who started the final two games last season - slot/running back Aleric Chapple (5-10, 167) and wide receiver senior David Martinez (5-9, 152).
Senior Greg Daniels (5-10, 174) started a few games at running back last season and figures to again see some time there.
Like last year, several of the team's top offensive players will play iron-man football.
Brown, who started at linebacker as a freshman, will be back in that spot again. Martinez will be at cornerback and Xenios, Hornberger and Cardenas will be two-way linemen.
Malek Sims (6-2, 185) started a few games at linebacker in 2008 and will start here in 2009. Sophomore Donnie Torres (5-8, 152) - a newcomer to the starting lineup - will be at defensive back. Daniels also will see some time in the defensive backfield.
As a unit, they will all be trying to get back to the playoffs after losing in the first round last year.
"St. Genevieve was league champion last year, so I would say they have to be the favorite," Walsh said of the Valiants, who were 4-0 in league last season. "But to be honest with you, I would have to say it's a very competitive league.
"I could see any of the top four teams winning league, excluding St. Monica; they're still in the rebuilding stage. The team that stays the healthiest and makes the least amount of mistakes is going to be the one that wins this league."
Some togetherness - especially in the trenches - could be the biggest factor.
"It's going to take a team, a brotherhood, to win league," Hornberger said Monday, "and I think we have it right here."
.