New Line's Responsibilities Are Clear
Handley's offensive line, clockwise from top: Josh Biekert (54), Nate Arnold (11), Elijah Washington, Brandon Canfield (69), Sam Kitchin (81) and David Joyner.
(By Joel Richardson -- The Washington Post)
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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
When Handley quarterback J.J. Dorsey looks downfield to pass this season, his view won't be obstructed by his linemen's helmets. When the junior takes off and runs, as he often does, he's likely to be joined by a lineman who can closely match his pace.
Those are the advantages Dorsey sees in an offensive line that lacks the bigger stalwarts of the last two seasons. This year's medium-sized group compensates for a size downgrade with increased speed and agility -- something that suits the Judges' quarterback, who threw for more than 2,000 yards and ran for more than 1,000 last season.
"They don't have to hold their blocks as long because of how fast we are," said Dorsey, a first team all-Northwestern District selection as a sophomore. "On sprints and on counters and stuff like that, with them pulling, that helps me a lot because they'll be able to keep up and get to blocks a little faster."
Led by the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Dorsey, Handley's offense is built more on speed than power. The Judges operate from a spread shotgun formation that forces defenses to account for fast players all over the field. Because of the speed, the Judges' linemen focus mostly on positioning and technique rather than power blocking. That's why Coach Tony Rayburn believes a faster and smaller line this season could be an advantage.
"We do have a good bit of speed back there," sophomore guard David Joyner said. "We have to use that speed to the best of our ability. I think the coaches are going to put us in the best position to win."
Rayburn called his offensive line "our biggest question mark" because of the unit's inexperience, not its size. Joyner (6-1, 240) started last season during Handley's run to the Region II Division 3 final. He and senior guard Brandon Canfield (6-0, 275) are the veterans of the group.
Junior Sam Kitchin (6-1, 195) is a first-year starter at center. Junior Josh Biekert (6-2, 210) takes over at tackle, while freshman Elijah Washington (6-2, 215) and seniors Nate Arnold (6-1, 180) and Daniel Burton (5-8, 205) are competing for playing time at the second tackle spot.
"Last year they did a good job blocking," Dorsey said. "This year, they have the ability to do the same thing. They're just not as big."
