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Beeble, Hellman Provide Loyalty, Patience

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 3, 2008

SHADY HILLS - Ryan Beeble and Nick Hellman have lived through Bishop McLaughlin's growing pains, weathered the Hurricanes' various storms.

They helped launch the program in 2005, enjoyed the success of the 2006 season and gritted though the pain of 2007.

Two words come to mind that perfectly describe the two senior receivers/cornerbacks. The first is loyalty, sticking with the team through the ups and downs. The second is patience, as the two will finally get a chance to shine thanks to an influx of talent into the team.

"We've got a lot more players, new players, new coaches, new defense we put in," said Hellman. "We've got more offensive plays, more balls going in the air. Good receivers, stronger quarterbacks, and the blocking is a lot better than last year."

"We have the skill to be unpredictable now," said Beeble. "Last year we could only run, and that's about it."

The weight of 2007 is suddenly off the backs of returning seniors like Beeble and Hellman, as well as Coach Marty Williams, who isn't worried about his second season being anywhere near as bad as the first. The Hurricanes finished the year with just 18 players, and went a distressing 1-8.

"We've got some athletes. The biggest difference I would say is the athleticism, period," he said. "We're not talking two or three guys that understand the game."

It was a change that began taking place in December when crowds - yes, crowds - began forming in the school's weight room. There were hour-long waits to get on machines. Dozens of kids had to wait in the hall.

"I would say a good percentage of the team worked out all through the summer, into July," Beeble said.

Now there seems to be a little depth and talent on all sides. There's starting quarterback Devin Towson, a backup in 2006 who did not play in '07. Beeble and Hellman are excited about his arm and ability to get the ball downfield.

There's offensive tackle Beau McDonald, who doesn't look or play anything like he did last year, and that's a good thing.

"We're talking about growing up and being a man," Williams said. "I mean, he has really done an incredible job."

And there's suddenly experience at running back - with Bobby Emmino and Jeff Pope, and among the receiving corps, Beeble, Hellman and tight end Daniel Ramirez.

Most of Bishop McLaughlin's top offensive players will be on defense, with Beeble and Hellman entering their fourth season manning the corners. Williams believes that's where they'll make their greatest contributions, as ball-hawking cover guys. But the duo is even more excited about the chance to pressure the quarterback on corner blitzes, a new wrinkle in the Hurricanes' evolving defense.

"That's what we talk about every practice," Beeble said. "We've watched Ronde Barber do that with the Bucs for years, and we've always wanted to do that."

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