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November 24, 2009

Trench warfare

Moriah's offensive line leading the charge to Syracuse

By RYAN HAYNER

DID YOU KNOW?


You can look back over the last 70 years at some of the area athletes and personalities who made headlines in area sports. Flashback will revive memories of great local athletes and outstanding team successes.

PORT HENRY — Hayden Whalen doesn't mind not getting much credit for his work on Moriah's offensive line.

The towering senior shrugs off the fact that he and his fellow linemen are often overshadowed by the skill position players.

Whalen says he likes doing the tough work, credit be damned.

"That's why I'm a lineman," he explained.

The Moriah Vikings will depart Friday for Syracuse to prepare for a Class D championship showdown with Randolph Saturday. The offensive line is a large reason for the team's success — literally and figuratively.

Moriah's offensive front five are an intimidating bunch, a group of four seniors and a junior who combine to weigh more than half a ton. The line is what makes the Vikings' smash-mouth style of play work so effectively.

"They're probably one of the biggest lines in the league, definitely the most physical — they go out and bang heads and throw kids around the whole game," senior quarterback Nate Gilbo said.

That unit is comprised of Whalen at the right tackle, Sergio Camacho at right guard, John Petro at center, Jud Zelinski at right guard and Dylan Orr at right tackle.

For proof on how efficient the line has been, take a look at Moriah's rushing statistics. The Vikings average 261 rushing yards per game and have scored 41 times on the ground in 11 games. In Northern Football Conference action, no team put up more rushing yards against Beekmantown, a squad that didn't lose until the state playoffs.

It's even more impressive considering that opposing coaches usually know exactly what is coming.

"You get Hayden and Sergio and that offensive line, play-after-play-after-play," Moriah coach Don Tesar said.

The Vikings had the luxury of returning three starters to the line this year — Whalen, Petro and Camacho. Whalen has the most experience of the bunch, starting since he was promoted to varsity his freshman year. Petro, a senior, and Camacho, a junior, are both in their second year of starting. Orr saw extensive playing time late last season, while Zelinski is the only real greenhorn this season.

"The experience definitely helps," Whalen said. "I think our line is ten times better than it was last year."

What also helps is playing together since modified football.

"We know each other's strengths and weaknesses," Petro said. "You know when they need help, when they don't, so we can help when they need it."

"We're more physical, faster, smarter," Camacho said. "We know what to do; we've been playing with each other a long time."

While they may not get publicity some other positions do — they don't rack up rushing yards or score touchdowns — the linemen are recognized by teammates and coaches. Talk to Ron Schofield, the team's leading rusher at 1,475 yards, after any game and he will make sure to credit the big guys up front. Petro said occasionally even fans will compliment the line's blocking.

But it's not credit the linemen crave.

It's being successful. It's adding to Moriah's win column that matters most.

"A lot of people know that the team's success is based a lot on the line, so as long as we're doing good, that's all that matters," Petro said. "Wins matter."

E-mail Ryan Hayner at: rhayner@pressrepublican.com

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