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Close-Knit Line

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By ADAM ADKINS

Published: December 6, 2007

Updated: 12/06/2007 12:17 am

SEFFNER - Armwood has had its share of standout defensive linemen. Names like Torrey Davis, Jarriett Buie, Keith Watts and Charles Sallet, all who went on to play Division I football, are a few that stand out from recent years.

What the Hawks have never had before is a collection of linemen like the group this season.

"Oh, they're definitely at the top," said Armwood defensive coordinator Matt Thompson, a longtime Hawks assistant. "No question about that."

The line is the backbone of Armwood's defense, one that has paved the way for Hawks' fourth trip in the last five seasons to the Class 4A state semifinals. And when the Hawks line up Friday night against Miami Washington at Traz Powell Stadium for the right to play for a third state title since 2003, they'll be expecting big contributions from the guys in the trenches.

The group is comprised from a mix of well-known ends (junior Ryne Giddins and senior Sergio Joyner), unheralded tackles (seniors Josh Alston and Zachori Beasley) and unmatched reserves (senior Devin Core and Leon Johnson). Two-way standout Matt Patchan also works his way into the mix.

It's a close-knit bunch that carries equal amount of respect and admiration for their line counterparts. And they share one common characteristic: the drive to dominate.

The line turned in one of its best performances Friday in a regional final victory against Plant. For the second time this season, Armwood's defensive line harassed Panthers standout quarterback Aaron Murray and kept one of the state's most prolific passers in check.

After sacking Murray eight times in the teams' first meeting in the regular season, the Hawks tallied six sacks - four by the linemen - in the regional final. They also played a big part in forcing six Panthers turnovers. And they are the main reason Murray, who tossed a state-record 51 touchdown passes this season, failed to throw a touchdown pass this season against the Hawks, the only team to shut him out in that statistical category.

"When everybody's working together and doing their job and we're rolling, I don't think any offensive line or any team can stop us," Alston said. "If everybody does everything right and there's no cracks and no breaks, it's like a wall and nobody can get by us."

The pieces of that wall feed off each other, and that's what makes them so dangerous. When one makes a play, the others want to do the same.

Their mutual respect for one another also allows them to concentrate on doing their job, rather than trying to fill the void as the playmaker on every down.

"It makes me a lot more confident and a lot more comfortable, knowing that those guys got my back and that they won't let me down," Giddins said.

It's the unselfishness that defines this unit, Thompson said. Not one of them is worried about stats, and not one of them has too big an ego. Each one is willing to sacrifice himself in any given play for the greater good of the team, and that's what truly makes them special.

"Nobody performs like these guys," Thompson said. "Nobody."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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