Offensive line to play pivotal role in Wildcats' success
Offensively, El Dorado could boast the deepest, most talented crew of receivers in the state. The Wildcats return a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Sharmon Rester and have a pair of unproven but explosive runners in the backfield.
So, if El Dorado struggles to move the football, who stands to shoulder most of the blame?
“When you come and watch us, you’re going to see five or six explosive athletes touching the ball. That’s why I feel like the pressure is really on the (offensive) line,” said El Dorado offensive line coach Kris Borosvskis. “They have stepped up to accepting that. They want that challenge.”
The Wildcats return just two starters off last year’s offensive line, including All-State guard Devin Walter. Jalon Frazier also returns at left tackle.
Borosvskis said Jamaal Green, a part-time player last season, is the projected starter at right tackle. Japhen Baker moved from defense to play center with Cameron Davis (5-11, 350) at right guard opposite Walter.
“They’re a year stronger. They’re pretty good,” Borosvskis said of his two returning starters. “The other ones have caught on quick to the stuff we’re doing. We’ve simplified a lot of things up front that we’re running for learning purposes. I feel like if we’re masters at one thing, we’ll be more efficient versus running a whole bunch of different schemes up front, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience coming back. The process would be, let’s be good at one thing and build off that. When you’ve got skilled players like we’re fortunate to have, we can move them all over the place and it looks like we’re running a hundred different things when up front, really, it mirrors the same thing.
“Definitely in this situation, simplify has allowed us to be better and more confident up front.”
When asked about the one thing the offensive line has attempted to master, Borosvskis answered, “Inside zone. We’ve really spent a lot of time on inside zone. Inside zone also mirrors a lot of pass protection and allows us to be fast, allows us to isolate double teams as much as possible. That’s one thing we’ve focused on. We’re not running a whole lot of power, counter, trap and all this stuff. Our big focus has been running inside zone.”
The Wildcats will have size up front. Next to the 350pound Davis will be Walter (300), Green (290), Baker (250) and Frazier at 230. Also competing for playing time will be junior Elijah Bivens, who moved over from linebacker in August.
“The strength of our line is our skill guys. That’s hard to get your head around. Well, how is the strength of your line the skill guys? Everybody is scared to death of the weapons we have outside, our speed. So the box becomes light,” Borosvskis explained. “People are trying to vacate and go cover. They’re adding an extra linebacker to go cover. That’s where it will benefit us. We’re going to get five on four sometimes. We’re going to have a situation where our running back makes us better. Our running back, Shadarioius Plummer, PJ Denkins, those guys have really come a long way this spring in understanding the zone concepts. They have great vision. They bring the blocks to us and that makes it easier. Everybody complements each other in this offense. That’s why I’m really enjoying what we’re doing in this true spread look.
“The strength of the (offensive) line is we’re as good
as the people around us. If we're able to get the ball out on the end with the fast screens and we're able to get a quick passing game going on and they forget about the run game. Now you've got Sharmon Rester being able to have a quarterback run and you have Shadarioius Plummer and PJ Denkins, who definitely have the power and the ability to break it and go score. We have two explosive running backs. And, due to the fact that we have speed all over the place, pick your poison. Who do you want to cover? You want to double up on DeAndra or double up on Jackie or double up on somebody else? If they do, our run game should be really good. If they're choosing to stop the run game, that means you're leaving somebody one-on-one and our goal is to try to win one-on-one as much as we can.”
With so much talent and explosiveness at the skill positions, the Wildcats will be banking on the fact the offensive line shouldn't have to be dominant to move the ball. Consistency will be key and Borosvskis believes he has the anchors in Walter and Green.
“Devin Walter and Jamal Green have stepped up. Jamaal was the rotator for us last year. He got a few reps off the bench in varsity so he does have some varsity experience. Those two guys are stepping into that role of being our physical leaders up front. Jalon brings a lot of experience back at tackle. And Cameron Davis has been, probably the biggest success story. When you see Big Cam out there, he is working hard. He wants to be part of our team so bad. That's what I love about him,” the coach said. “Every day everybody battles the heat, battles the mental fatigue and all this. He'll find a way to stay after. Coach, I got to do some extra running today. I want to get there. He's definitely to be commended for that. I feel like it's tough competition between Cam, Jamaal and Elijah and where those guys fit.
“Andrew Clawson has been getting reps at tackle as well. He's looking at maybe splitting time with the (defensive) line as a rotator. He possesses the physical qualities that I could see him giving us reps off the bench.”
Borosvskis referred to his group as the unsung heroes. Perhaps a more fitting moniker would be the unknown soldiers. The fewer times their numbers are mentioned on the PA system, the better the offense should move. El Dorado hopes all eyes will be on the receivers, backs and quarterbacks and not on the offensive line this season.
“I'm excited. We're up for the challenge,” said Borosvskis. “I feel like, offensively, the pressure is going to be on them with the lack of experience. But they're gritty. That's the culture we're trying to create amongst us, you've got to be tough. We call ourselves the trench dogs. We go to work every day. They're a good group of kids and they have a lot to prove. Not only a lot to prove to the public, but they have a lot to prove to themselves.”