TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa Catholic Linebacker Setting The Tone

ADVERTISEMENT

By MATTHEW POSTINS, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 28, 2007

Updated: 11/28/2007 12:16 am

TAMPA - Middle linebacker Will Greaves of Tampa Catholic won't pass the "eye test" for most college recruiters.

The senior is listed at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, and he said that might be generous. College football coaches aren't beating down his door, despite his importance to the Crusaders defense.

That's why Greaves treats each moment of this postseason run as something precious.

It may be the last time he plays football.

"Coach Bob Henriquez said that every year, whenever the season ends, that there's one kid that won't take off his pads," Greaves said. "That'll be me."

The Crusaders (10-2) travel to Homestead on Friday to face Miami Archbishop Carroll at 7:30 p.m. in a Class 2A state semifinal. The Crusaders are one step from playing for a state championship.

Should the Crusaders advance, Greaves likely will be a big reason why.

"You need a Will Greaves on your team if you're going to be successful," Henriquez said.

Why? While Greaves may not pass recruiters' "eye test," he will open your eyes with his play. Against Clewiston last week, Greaves scored twice, on a blocked punt and on an interception. But his bone-rattling hit on Clewiston's Zack Waddell in the first quarter sent shockwaves through Cane Field and added to his reputation as a feared tackler.

After finishing his deep snapping duties on a punt, Greaves sprinted downfield and separated Waddell from his helmet and mouthpiece. The hit drew a flag for a helmet-to-helmet hit, and Waddell spent a couple of minutes on the ground before getting up and playing the rest of the game.

Clewiston's fans weren't happy. They thought Greaves arrived early. After looking at the film, Henriquez said officials could have called three fouls on the play.

Henriquez doesn't condone dirty play and said Greaves is one of his team's cleanest players.

"It was an incredibly aggressive, bang-bang play," Henriquez said.

"The timing is split second from being a great legal hit."

Greaves said he meant no harm, but he saw the same film and thought he arrived just as the ball did, though it was very close. He said he was flagged on the play because, well, he is short and Waddell is at least 6 feet tall.

"As tall as I am, my helmet went under his helmet and his chin and the helmet flew off," Greaves said.

Despite the flag, the hit set the tone for Tampa Catholic's physical defense the rest of the game. As the team's second-leading tackler, Greaves is usually the player who sets that standard.

"In terms of what it meant to our team, in terms of setting a tone for the game, it meant an awful lot," Henriquez said.

Greaves has developed a reputation since his sophomore year for being a tough, physical player despite his size.

He sees it every time he plays.

Opponents look at him during pregame warm-ups, find out he is the middle linebacker, and they underestimate him.

Then they see him play.

"I get a lot of looks," Greaves said.

Henriquez describes Greaves as a short, stocky player who has a wealth of football knowledge. That's part of the reason he is able to take on 260-pound linemen and still make tackles.

Plus, he is fearless about football and about the potential end of his career.

He simply wants one thing before he goes.

"I want a state championship ring," Greaves said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT