SPRINGDALE -- Lucas Walthall has toiled in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. This season he'll see if the grass really is greener on the other side.
Walthall, a senior at Shiloh Christian, was a defensive starter last fall as the Saints advanced to the state playoffs in Class 5A. Shiloh Christian was 6-4-1, and an injury-depleted team bowed out in the first round of the state playoffs.
Profile
Lucas Walthall
School: Shiloh Christian
Class: Senior
Height: 5-9
Weight: 310
Position: Right guard
Notable: Was a starter on the defensive line last season, but shifts to right guard this season. … Has increased his bench press by 65 pounds this offseason. … Has played just one game on the offensive line in his career.
This season the Saints move back to Class 4A, where they won three straight state titles not long ago. With a wealth of returning skill position players, Shiloh Christian has focused this offseason on gaining strength and depth along the offensive line.
Walthall (5-foot-9, 310 pounds) is expected to play a key role there, said offensive line coach Dawayne Hudson.
"He's like a bulldog; if he gets locked up on you, he's going to drive you out of there," Hudson said. "If he gets in your way, you're going to have to go a long way to get around him. He's pretty wide and big. He's kind of our rooter and we're going to run right behind him."
Walthall said he's worked diligently this offseason to improve his numbers in the weight room. He also credited Shiloh Christian strength coach John Durmon with not only helping with technique, but with changing his diet.
"We eat a ton of carbs, and ton of protein before practice," Walthall said. "Just eating good, not eating a lot of fried foods. Not eating too many greasy pizzas. We've been doing that since offseason began, since November."
The results have been astounding. Walthall has seen his bench press increase from 250 pounds last offseason to 315 this offseason, an increase of 65 pounds. His squat has increased from around 270 pounds to around 350 pounds over the same span.
Hudson has taken note of the increase in Walthall's strength.
"I think it's building his foundation in the weight room," Hudson said. "He's really increased his strength, and it's been the whole overall body strength. He's worked his tail off in there."
Walthall has played just one game over his career on the offensive side, that coming in his sophomore season against Morrilton. Last season he started all year on the defensive line.
The move to right guard gives the Saints another big body to open gaps for what should be a solid running game with Chandler Smith returning, and the emergence of Kyle Freeman, who missed last season after transferring from Fayetteville.
"I believe in Kyle," Walthall said. "We're friends, and I know he can get the job done if we can give him just a little bit of a hole to run through."
Walthall said former Saints offensive lineman Travis Bodenstein has been a role model for him.
"He was a guy I looked up to when I was in the eighth grade," Walthall said. "He played on three state championship teams. He was just someone I looked up and wanted to model my game after."
Sports on 05/27/2014