Sports
BHS o-line improving throughout season
Monday, 12 November 2012 by David Tuma
Although the Belton High School offensive line is young and has shown that inexperience at times, they have continually improved and have given the Tigers’ offense a chance in each game this season.In the first mini scrimmage during spring football, the first snap Peter Shelburne took, the entire defensive line beat him to the hand off. Some of them looked like they were more in the backfield than he was.
It might not have been that bad but it wasn't pretty. Facing what is probably the best defensive line in district 8-5A Belton's offensive line didn't have a lot of fun that first day of live team action.
Austin Farr was it as terms of varsity experience. Week seven in the Cove win, quarterback Peter Shelburne threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns without being sacked or throwing an interception against the best defensive line the Dawgs have had in years.
Somebody did some work.
"We work a lot better together and we didn't play together much before this year. We had to improve. Two of the offensive lineman this year were offensive MVP's," said Farr.
"It took awhile for us to jell. It helps having Shelburne and those running backs we have. Shelburne knows what everybody is doing including us lineman," said Colby Williams.
"We kept each other accountable during the summer. There were doubts so we knew we had to work," said Erik Erwin.
Erwin was chosen offensive MVP for the Temple game for his shutting down of Temple's nose guard as the Tigers scored at will in a loss on the road.
"The coaches kept telling us to work hard and get better," said Justin Murphy.
"We only worry about what we can control. If they drop a pass we don't worry about it," said Farr. "We had no experience and this is a totally new group that includes a sophomore and a freshman. Zack Shackelford and Sam Hussey will dominate as seniors. Coach Schroeder is a great offensive line coach, very hands on and is great working up the game film each week."
"We had to replace some good defensive linemen and experienced defensive backs and that isn't easy. You have a player mess up at either position and it is usually very bad. They have just worked their tales off and they are a good offensive unit. We play seven of them and Shackelford you can't tell is a freshman by his play. Erwin was been huge for us this year. We didn't know if he would play after being injured last year. We moved Brandon McGibeny from the defensive line and he picked it up quick. He is a smart football player. It helps us that he played defensive line just like it is good for a wide receiver to have played defensive back. Williams has played well along with Hussey and Murphy. Farr is the leader and he covers Shelburne's back side," said Tigers head coach Rodney Southern.
"Peter has learned to step into the pocket and trust them. A lot of high school quarterbacks won't do that. They don't want to do it. It makes the offense more effective when a quarterback will do that. The seniors (Ewrin, McGibeny and Farr) have done a good job being leaders. It isn't easy playing the offensive line. The really big and fast players are put on defense and it is not easy blocking them. The teams we play in this district fill out their pads really well because they are great athletes," said Southern.
