Football: Robinson Manning The Middle For Springdale Defense
Robinson Ready For Bigger Role As Junior
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
SPRINGDALE -- Sam Robinson went from a junior varsity player to starting three games late in the season as a Springdale High sophomore last year.
The 5-foot-6, 187-pound linebacker showed potential when he got on the field, excelling at times despite his inexperience and finishing with 12 tackles and a forced fumble. The expectations will be higher for Robinson as he enters his junior year firmly entrenched as Springdale's starting middle linebacker.
The Skinny
Position Battle: Linebacker
Second-Team Linebacker Spots: … Caylon Wells, Jaime Argueta and Sam Robinson seem fairly set as the starters, while juniors Ever Galdamez and Jesus Perez will be in the rotation. But talented sophomores Kamryn Dickerson and Kender Bolkeim could push for playing time as the season progresses.
Watch Out For: Sophomore Kamryn Dickerson. … He and Bolkeim were already working with the second-team defense in Springdale’s first practice in full pads. Springdale coach Shane Patrick is high on their potential, especially Dickerson, who’s already 5-foot-11, 207 pounds.
Biggest Strength: Wells. … The senior is entering his third year as a starter and knows multiple positions. He can line up at either outside linebacker spot and has proven he can play in the 7A-West.
Biggest Question: Playmaking ability. … Graduated safety Cua Rose and linebacker Neal Parsons combined for 180 tackles last year, leaving a playmaking void. Wells has ample experience and Robinson showed promise last year, but the onus will be on the linebacking corps to pick up the slack.
He'll have more responsibility this year as one of only a handful of players in the defense's back seven with starting experience. The playing time he received late last year appears to have paid off as the Bulldogs inch closer to opening the season against Greenwood on Sept. 5.
"His perception of what's going on is real good," defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Eric Middleton said. "Getting in there early last year helped that. Recognizing offensive schemes and making calls for us, putting us in the right strength, the right front when he has to. So that's an advantage.
"He's very smart. He handles that part well."
Springdale has to replace graduated starting linebackers Neal Parsons (85 tackles) and Cris Tejada (61 tackles). This fall, Robinson will line up alongside strongside linebacker and two-year starter Caylon Wells (6-3, 180) and weakside linebacker Jaime Argueta (6-0, 196).
Wells racked up 62 tackles, including seven tackles-for-loss, last year and is the most seasoned returning player on the defense. He and Robinson both posted some of the best offseason testing results in Springdale's Iron Dog competition, finishing second and 11th, respectively.
Coaches hope Argueta is poised for a breakout senior season after recording 14 tackles and a pass breakup in reserve duty last year. While the starting trio is fairly set, juniors Ever Galdamez (5-9, 179) and Jesus Perez (6-0, 187) will also be in the mix for playing time.
"We play off the strengths," Middleton said of the rotation. "One kid has some strengths that another doesn't. Just trying to mix those in there. There are certain packages that some kids fit in, and we can get more of those guys on the field at one time. We're working that angle."
There may be a sophomore or two who wind up earning playing time. Robinson was far from the first linebacker to contribute as a sophomore during coach Shane Patrick's tenure, joining Wells, Parsons and Clay Patrick in that regard.
This fall, sophomores Kamryn Dickerson (5-11, 207) and Kender Bolkeim (5-7, 168) may play their way into action. Both worked with the second-team defense during Springdale's first practice in full pads.
"Those guys have a chance," Patrick said. "Kamryn Dickerson, if he'll stay on course, he could be as good a linebacker as has played here. He's talented. And Kender Bolkeim is, too. But Kamryn is going to be much bigger and faster."
Robinson had Wells and Parsons there to aid his transition as a sophomore. Now he's the veteran.
Sports on 08/19/2014