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Ray, Lampe Balance Each Other

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By ADAM ADKINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

RIVERVIEW - It's a good thing Devin Ray and Eric Lampe like each other, because the Riverview seniors will see a lot of each other this year.

Both Ray and Lampe figure to be huge cogs for first-year Sharks coach Bruce Gifford, both on offense and defense. And the two will fill those roles playing positions that go hand-in-hand with one another.

While Lampe's main priority will be running back and Ray's middle linebacker, each player will provide extra support for the other in positions where the Sharks are thin. Lampe will line up next to Ray at outside linebacker, while Ray will provide blocking for his senior counterpart at fullback.

"We're always working with each other and pushing each other to get better," Lampe said, "so I think it's going to work out fine."

Ray is a proven playmaker at the varsity level, and one Gifford calls "the cornerstone of this defense." He's entering his third season as a starter on the Sharks defense and returns as the team's top tackler from 2007 (93), and he's earned a big reputation among his teammates for his prowess on the field.

"When you're on the field, you always know when D-Ray is on the field because you're going to get whacked by him," Lampe said.

This year Ray is hoping to take that level of play to the offense. "This year I'm taking on a bigger role, a bigger job," Ray said. "I'm trying to be there and be a guy they can count on."

Lampe is entering his third varsity season, but he's been a seldom-used asset the first two years.

Lampe was stuck on the depth chart behind Jahleel Addae, who rushed for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons before graduating after the 2007 season and moving on to Central Michigan. Last season, Lampe managed just 16 carries for 61 yards and one TD.

"Last year I played a lot, but I just did more blocking than running," said Lampe, who is the team's leading returning rusher from 2007. "This year I plan on stepping into that role to help the team."

Gifford expects as much. The coach said Lampe "has paid his dues" and described the senior running back as a hard-nosed player with a tremendous work ethic and desire to get better.

"Eric Lampe, he's a workhorse. You could tell that two years back when he was running with the scout team," Ray said. "He was one of the hardest workers, and now he's getting his chance to blossom."

The on-field performances of Lampe and Ray will play a key role this year, but more important is their role as leaders. It's a role both said they are still adjusting to, but Gifford has seen signs so far to make him believe it's one in which Ray and Lampe will thrive.

"The guys respect them because these guys lead by example," Gifford said of Ray and Lampe. "They are in there working hard and pushing their teammates to work hard at the same time, and these guys just feed off of them. We couldn't ask for two better leaders. We're going to miss those two guys when they graduate."

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