Hawks' line takes center stage

If Armwood High football is known for one thing, it's being physical. It's a reputation the Hawks earned during their run of back-to-back state titles in 2003 and 2004, and it's the trait they continue to forge as their opponents regularly finish games feeling manhandled, bruised and in need of an open week.

And with five offensive linemen who are considering Division I colleges or already committed to one, Armwood is expected to abuse a lot more defenses this fall as it attempts to reach the state championship game for a second straight season.

"I think all five of us are fit enough to beat up on some (defensive) linemen and get downfield — hard," said Kevin McCoy, a 6-foot-5 right tackle. "I plan on busting up some heads this year."

McCoy says that with a cunning smile, but with his size, he certainly seems capable of backing up those words. And he will have plenty of help. The Hawks have two more beefy returning starters: 6-3, 300-pound left guard Cody Waldrop, who committed to South Carolina last month, and 6-2, 275-pound center Cameron Dees.

Joining them at left tackle is 6-4, 255-pound Brandon Teeling, who came over from the Hawks defense to earn the nickname "Drago" for his resemblance to the Russian boxer in "Rocky IV." The right guard is 6-2, 260-pound Jack Lightsey, a starter last season for Class 6A state finalist Orlando Dr. Phillips who transferred to Armwood in the spring.

After 22 seasons as Armwood's head coach and four appearances in the state finals, Sean Callahan tends to temper his excitement about players' potential. But even he seems to be looking forward to what this group of linemen can do, especially with the return of nationally recruited senior running back Matt Jones and the addition of 6-5, 230-pound junior quarterback Darryl Richardson to his backfield.

"There's not a Mike Pearson or Matt Patchan there but, collectively, we have more talent from tackle to tackle than we've ever had," said Callahan, referring to two former Armwood prep All-Americans.

"They're a group that has bonded real well and they're a good, strong group and they like playing physical. These are some of the characteristics of a good offensive line and, hopefully, we can stay healthy and be able to run (the) power (game) successfully."

Armwood offensive line coach Connor Jostes can hardly believe the group he has to work with in his first season on Callahan's staff. Having coached previously at Fort Hays State in Kansas, this is his first stint in the high school ranks. But he says the players on this line — all of whom are solid students in the classroom — can grasp techniques usually reserved for collegians.

"They can understand what we're trying to do just as well as any college offensive lineman I've ever talked to," Jostes said. "They're sharp and they pick up on things very quickly."

Waldrop says the key to the line's development in the past several months is enjoying one another's company. And considering how much time they have spent together in the weight room, as well as in summer conditioning and simply hanging out, that's important.

Waldrop will even go as far as to say he looks forward to practice because the offensive linemen have become close friends.

"We have fun every time we step on the field," Waldrop said. "It's a great group of guys to be with. We joke around and take some shots at each other but when it's time to be serious, I know I can count on every one of them to get the job done."

Of course, this kind of preseason hype can lead to expectations. And that can lead to let-downs. But Dees says he and the line aren't worried about that. All they want to achieve is a little "unfinished business."

"We didn't get the job done at the state championship last year and our line didn't play that great there, either," Dees said. "There's obviously some pressure there but we see that as motivation for us."