New Albany leans on quick, speedy O-line
New Albany football coach Bubba Kidwell admitted that opponents might not be intimidated by the five starters on his offensive line, all who stand between 5 feet 9 and 6-2, with all but one weighing between 195 and 215 pounds.
“None of our guys getting off the bus are going to scare anybody,” Kidwell said. “But that's where the success of our offense comes from. That's our foundation. The biggest attribute they bring to the question is their quickness, then add in their coachability.”
It's what they do once games start that quickly earned the trust of Kidwell, the coaching staff and their teammates.
Despite only one returning starter playing full time in guard Cade Leggio, the Eagles have dominated opponents with their run-oriented wing-t offense during a 6-0 start. New Albany is averaging 50.2 points and 465.3 yards per game — 383.8 of which come on the ground.
In its OCC-OHIO opener against Grove City on Friday, the Eagles racked up season highs in both total yards and rushing yards with 581 yards of total offense and 474 on the ground.
Center Henry Dennis (6-0, 260) anchors the line, flanked by 5-9, 200pound
guards Leggio and Jake Sautter and tackles Caden Britton (6-0, 215) and Kyle Walters (6-2, 195).
All are seniors, something offensive coordinator Brian Finn said has been a rarity in his nearly two decades with the program.
Classmate Jake Walters (6-1, 235) started at tackle last season and, although he is concentrating on defense this year, subs in at guard in certain packages.
Junior Ben Dehmer (6-4, 255) sees time at tackle, and senior tight end Chris Pepper (6-4, 205) effectively is an extra lineman because his position emphasizes blocking rather than receiving in the Eagles' system.
Most in the group agree they are defined by their speed and athleticism.
“If you're really quick and physical, it just helps things open up a lot quicker,” Leggio said. “If you have a slow, fat dude out there at guard, it gives the backs less time to react.”
Kidwell said New Albany's scheme allows smaller linemen to succeed.
“In a spread, offensive linemen are retreating, and in a wing-t, we're attacking,” he said. “Our guys are getting on hips. They don't have to pancake somebody every play. All they have to do is get the (correct) angle, get on a hip and keep moving. That might sound easy, but it's difficult and takes years and years to perfect.”
According to Finn, who splits time coaching the line with Tim Kidwell and Matt Smith, the group's experience — even if it did not come at the varsity level — has allowed New Albany to experiment with different schemes, including occasional long passes.
Even so, everything generally comes back to the run.
“From middle school, we've been running the same stuff,” Kyle Walters said. “We've been sprinting to the line ever since I can remember. I can't think of another way to get off the ball. We break the huddle, sprint to the line and go from there.”