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Laietta To Pave The Way For McDaniel

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

VALRICO - There are no trust issues between Bloomingdale senior fullback Greg McDaniel and offensive lineman David Laietta.

McDaniel, a 5-foot-6, 177-pounder, knows Laietta will open holes when called upon.

"I have to trust him to be in the right place and the right time to block for me," McDaniel said.

Laietta, a 6-2, 260-pound lineman, doesn't worry about McDaniel dancing in the backfield until he finds an opening. He knows he will explode through the middle on every carry.

"He hits the hole hard," Laietta said. "I know he's going to be there behind me."

The two athletes have been working together the last two seasons and are prepared to make their final prep season their best.

First-year coach Jason Stokes said McDaniel will be the team's primary offensive weapon using the double-wing formation. Led by Laietta, Stokes hopes to establish a solid, physical running game this season.

"It comes together well," Stokes said. "I want to establish being physical. We're not going to finesse you."

That's why McDaniel and Laietta will be the perfect dynamic duo for the Bulls this season.

Stokes said Division I-AA and Division II schools have shown interest in both McDaniel and Laietta.

McDaniel played in only seven games last year before missing the rest of the season with an ankle injury. He rushed 51 times for 115 yards with one touchdown and one fumble.

He's aspiring to reach 1,000 yards this season and will do most of his damage on short yardage and goal-line plays.

"I would say I'm like Stephen Jackson or Marion Barber," he said.

"He's a contact runner," Stokes said. "He puts all of his weight into his hits."

"He runs people over," Laietta said.

As a defensive player in his playing days, Stokes didn't like having to battle offensive linemen who did anything - and he means anything - to win. He remembers being scratched and having dirt thrown in his eyes.

He wouldn't go into specifics, but said Laietta reminds him of those fierce, competitive linemen he had to play against.

"Offensive guards are key," he said. "The guards are pulling and trapping and have to be nasty and he's nasty. He's one of my offensive captains. He's just tough."

"He's vicious," McDaniel said.

Laietta shrugged at the reference.

"I don't mind it," he said.

And for all his hard work, Laietta said there's only one way McDaniel can reward him.

"Score touchdowns," he said.

As a first-year coach, Stokes said he is fortunate to be able to rely on veteran players like McDaniel and Laietta who already have chemistry on the field.

"Having chemistry exceeds X's and O's," Stokes said. "It's a trust issue. I think the whole team had a trust issue last year but I think the trust factor is now established here."

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