SPRINGDALE — Springdale Har-Ber senior Seth Gates knows there’s a small margin of error for the defensive line.
The Wildcats defensive front has taken the approach that it must control the line of scrimmage, especially in a league loaded with talented running backs.
“Bend, but don’t break. That’s our motto,” said Gates, a defensive end. “We can give up some yards, but when it comes down to it, we have to step up and shut down an offense.”
Entering his first full season as a starter, Gates anchors Har-Ber’s three-man defensive line after seeing limited playing time last fall.
He proved himself last season when Les Harrison missed time due to injury. Gates recorded two sacks during that time.
Pushing Gates at right end will be Sam VanDyke, while Byron Harrison and Alvaro Badillo will rotate at left end.
Har-Ber boasts a pair of nose guards with little experience in junior Daniel Scheile and Josh Frazier, a sophomore. Scheile is considered the starter, but he’ll battle to keep his spot against Frazier.
“Both work extremely hard and that’s how they both push one another, because they want to out-work the other,” said defensive line coach Travis Moreland. “But, at the end of the day, they’re teammates and want to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Though both play the same position, Scheile and Frazier are two very different linemen for one main reason — size.
Scheile stands 5-foot-10, 272 pounds, while Frazier measured in the first day of fall camp at 6-5, 303.
Scheile said having a young player like Frazier motivated him to keep his starting position. He also thrives on the inherited responsibility of a 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
“A three-man front puts a lot more pressure on me with the double team and possible triple team,” Scheile said. “To me, it’s a lot more fun having a one-on-one battle with the center, getting up in the dirty.”
THE SKINNY
Biggest Strength: Har-Ber has depth and versatility along the defensive line, which will allow fresh legs to stay on the field.
Biggest Question: Coaches feel they have a lot of talent along the line, but starting experience is very limited. Neither nose guard played varsity in 2010.
Watch Out For: Sophomore Josh Frazier is bigger than most offensive linemen in the state and has perfected his swim move to rush the quarterback.