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Saunders, Joseph Will Hold The Line

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

TAMPA - Freedom senior linemen Carl Saunders and Coril Joseph have been best friends for years. The two have lived in the same neighborhood since elementary school, and at one time lived next door to each another.

That chemistry and familiarity has since carried onto the football field, where the two plan to lead the Patriots this season.

Second-year coach Marquel Blackwell hopes Saunders, a two-way, 6-foot-1, 260-pound lineman, and Joseph, a 6-0, 240-pound defensive lineman, can improve a defense that allowed an average of 33.5 points per game last season.

Primarily an offensive lineman, Blackwell had to use Saunders on defense because of a lack of size at the position. Saunders had 17 tackles as a junior. Blackwell said he will use Saunders as a two-way lineman again this year.

Joseph missed part of his junior year after being suspended following a brawl with Tampa Bay Tech, but is determined to have his best season.

"They bring size, strength and ability," Blackwell said. "They like to pass rush but we think they are better at stopping the run."

With the help of former USF defensive tackle and current assistant coach Tchecoy Blount, Saunders and Joseph have compensated being undersized with skill.

"We have technique," Saunders said. "We're not big in size, but we have technique. Most offensive linemen at this level are stiff."

"As long we rotate, the opposing offensive line can't stop us," Joseph said. "They'll need a game plan. Carl uses his power and I'm more finesse."

Blount has helped the linemen develop more than football skills.

"They accepted Jesus Christ as their savior," Blount said. "I can't take credit for what God gave them."

During the summer, Saunders and Joseph impressed college coaches at camps with their technique. Saunders and Joseph even surprised themselves.

"When we use proper technique and watch film, like at the camps we went to, nobody is able to stop us," Joseph said.

"That's a credit to the coaching," Blackwell said. "The coaches are doing good with all the individual groups. Saunders and Joseph watch a lot of film. Hopefully it pays off."

Being students of the game will only enhance Joseph and Saunders' chemistry on the field.

"We know we can count on each other," Saunders said.

"If one of us is down, we know we can rely on the other to carry the line," Joseph said.

Joseph has interest from Florida Atlantic and Florida International while Blackwell said Saunders has received interest from New Mexico and Georgia Tech, as well as other Division I programs.

Both linemen view the team's schedule, which includes Armwood, Hillsborough and Middleton in district play, as a challenge and look forward to proving themselves against some of the county's top athletes.

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