MV's Offensive Line (Martinsville Bulletin)

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MV's offensive line answers preseason questions

By ERIC CARDWELL

Bulletin Sports Writer

 

Coming into this season there was one big question on Magna Vista football coach Joe Beckelheimer's mind.

 

Will the inexperienced offensive line be able to block opposing defenses?

 

Eleven games later, the line has answered that question with a 9-2 record, a Piedmont District title and a shot at the Region IV championship.

 

The group has impressed Beckelheimer, who expected some more growing pains over the course of the season.

 

"We pretty much had to start from scratch with this line, start with the basics," Beckelheimer said. "They have come along each week, especially through about Week 6, a little bit faster than I thought they would.

 

"They work hard in practice. They want to get it done the right way, they've got a lot of want to in them. That's probably the key to the success of the offense."

 

And there can be little doubt about the success of the Warriors' offense. The line helped running back Quentin Preston gain 1,100 yards in the regular season and the Piedmont District player of the year award. In addition, the O-Line has made it possible for a large group of Magna Vista backs to move the ball.

 

The only player who came into the 2003 season with experience was senior guard Robert Penn. Penn backed up the guards and tackles in 2002 and managed to earn first team All-District honors this season. Adam Pace, a senior tackle, was the big surprise for the Warriors, also earning first team recognition.

 

"Adam Pace came out of the blue," Beckelheimer said. "He's probably the most improved linemen that we have."

 

Junior Manuel Becker handles the center position well and earned first team honors for his solid snapping and blocking.

 

Juniors Martin Falloon, a tackle, and Cameron Mosely, a guard, round out the Warriors' line. Falloon was given second team All-District honors and Mosely's honorable mention meant that the whole crew received awards for their efforts this season.

 

Falloon knows what it was that got those awards for he and his teammates.

 

"Coach worked us really hard and prepared us for the next level," Falloon said. "Coach killed us during practice.

 

Mosely agrees, but also recognizes the unity he and his fellow linemen feel.

 

"When we had to work hard, we just stayed together as a team," Mosely said. "That's what it takes. Coach keeps us together real well."

 

Unfortunately for the Warriors, some signs of the squad's inexperience have been showing themselves of late. The last couple of games have been plagued with penalties.

 

Preparing to face their toughest challenge yet this Friday, facing Carroll County in the Region IV championship game, Penn and his cohorts are looking to put an end to the scourge of penalties.

 

"We've got to stop having silly mistakes, stop those mental mistakes," Penn said. "We just have got to play our game like we're supposed to. It's frustrating, but it's just mental mistakes and we've got to stop all that."

 

Asked about what it will take to win against the Cavaliers this weekend, the group sounds off with the secrets every good lineman should know.

 

"Staying low...Keep the QB safe...Play our game... Beat them off the ball."

 

If they can follow their own advice it should be a good game.