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Leading The Line

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: September 4, 2008

In describing Zach Bailey, Springstead Head Coach Bill Vonada called him, "The type of young man you'd let watch your children."

Then the veteran Eagle headman chuckled. Turns out, Bailey has watched Vonada's children on a few occasions.

"I've watched his kids twice," the senior admitted. "They're good kids. They're fun."

Indeed, the 18-year-old son of Spring Hill's Dan and Michelle Smallwood has played many roles for the Eagles: Offensive lineman, tight end, defensive tackle, leader and role model. Even babysitter.

This year the 6-foot-3, 215-pound left tackle will anchor the experienced offensive front, helping lead a team that has returned the great majority of last year's roster and hopes to get back into playoff contention.

"A lot of us feel we're going undefeated, playoffs," Bailey said. "We used to break huddle with offense, defense, team. Now we're breaking with playoffs, district champs. We're real committed. We know we're going to go far."

Sacrifice for the team

To hear both him and his coach speak, Bailey seems to have the perfect selfless personality of the traditionally anonymous offensive lineman.

"He's all about helping the team. He's got a great motor," Vonada said. "He's always going. He's fundamentally sound. He plays on both side of the ball, too.

"He played tight end and defensive line for us last year. We lost a few linemen and he's one of our better blockers. We slid him into offensive tackle and he got the job done right away."

Bailey did not touch the ball offensively in 2007 but did put together some solid defensive numbers: 29 tackles, five for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. This year he expects to play mostly on offense.

"It doesn't bother me at all, whatever the team needs me at," Bailey said. "I've worked on my body positioning and balance. I'm a lot lower than what I used to be.

"I trained myself, basically listened to what the coaches told me to do and just did it."

On a team that runs the triple option and relies heavily on its ability to run the football, the play of the offensive line takes on particularly great importance.

"The line has an immense amount of pride in itself," Bailey said. "Whenever we run (in practice) we scream O-line. It's just something to get us motivated, say who we are.

"I'd rather run block than pass block. I like being able to get downfield and hit someone. It's better than waiting for someone to confront me."

Bailey said he tries to be someone who inspires others but doesn't feel he's a vocal leader.

His attitude might come in handy if he follows through on his ambition to join the U.S. Army. He has an uncle in the military police and he would like to follow in those footsteps.

For his final prep season, he doesn't have any great personal goals. He just wants to see the team win.

"We've got to go to practice everyday, don't miss a day and train to be excellent," Bailey said. "...A winning season, undefeated would be the best. I wouldn't need anything else out of it."

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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