SPRINGDALE — Any successful offense hinges on the five guys up front working together.
Even though Springdale High only returns one starter in senior Edwin Espinoza (6-foot-1, 285 pounds), a number of juniors have made strides thus far in fall camp, said Bulldogs coach Shane Patrick.
AT A GLANCE
SPRINGDALE HIGH OFFENSIVE LINE
BIGGEST STRENGTH: Size. Springdale has some big bodies to create running lanes for running back Deandre Murray and buy time for the quarterback, and continued work in the weight room will only bolster their god-given attributes.
BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Experience. Edwin Espinoza is the only starter that logged significant playing time last season, so four other guys will have to grow up in a hurry before being thrown into the fire that is the 7A West.
WATCH OUT FOR: Daniel Salas, junior center.
“We’re real excited about our offensive line to this point,” Patrick said. “We’re going to put some bigger guys out on the field and while they still have some growing and learning to do, they’ve come really far in practice and the summer workouts.”
It helps when the players like each other, and Patrick is impressed with the group’s closeness.
“They’re all good friends and get along real well,” Patrick said. “That’s what it takes on the offensive line; they’ve got to love each other and hang out together and those guys do that.”
Patrick also commented on the group’s intelligence as a whole.
“It makes what we can do with them and the schemes and calls a lot easier for them to pick up along the way,” Patrick said.
Junior left tackle Braxton Bradley (6-1, 272) has the potential to be a college football player, according to Patrick.
“He’s got the size and footwork and flexibility,” Patrick said.
Snapping the ball will be junior Daniel Salas (5-11, 225), who played junior varsity last season, and has Patrick and the other coaches excited.
Junior Adam Thompson (5-10, 253) has nailed down a guard spot and classmate Caleb Wade (6-0, 248) will be counted on to back up a number of positions.
“Caleb is one of our biggest, strongest guys on the team,” Patrick said. “If he continues to improve, we can roll him in the game.”
Espinoza, who was all-conference a year ago, will be counted on to lead heading into his third year as a starter.
“He’ll no doubt be our best lineman,” Patrick said. “He’s the best one we’ve had in awhile. He walked in here and jumped into the starting lineup right out of junior high and he’s just a really good player.”