Springstead's Chris Schaefer knows what to do without any prodding from the coaching staff.
By FRANK PASTOR
Published October 3, 2003
SPRING HILL - All Chris Schaefer does is make plays.
Which is funny, because that is the one thing his coach doesn't ask him to do.
"We don't ask anybody, "You've got to win this for us,"' Springstead coach Bill Vonada said "Our defense is all about playing the roles and getting after people aggressively. If you do your job and you're playing hard and consistent with executing your responsibilities, eventually the plays are going to come to you, and that's the big thing with Chris."
Big plays seem to have a way of finding Schaefer. Through four games the 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior defensive end has three sacks, tying the team high and one shy of the county lead. His 16 tackles are tied for third-most among Springstead's players.
Schaefer teamed with Charles Gonyea to drop Central's Anthony Gaynor for a 5-yard loss during a tone-setting fourth-down play early in Springstead's 17-3 victory last month. During last Friday's 43-7 win against Lecanto, Schaefer pressured Lecanto punter Chris Hand after a mishandled snap, allowing John Hardy to recover the ball deep in Panthers territory.
With plays like these Schaefer has helped Springstead's (4-0) defense limit opponents to three touchdowns in four games.
"If they don't score, then they don't win," Schaefer said. "The defense is one of the major parts of the team."
Schaefer wasn't expected to be much more than a minor part in his first varsity season. After playing defensive tackle on the junior varsity as a freshman, he sat out last season for undisclosed medical reasons.
As he watched from the stands, Springstead stumbled to a 2-8 record.
"I really wanted to play," Schaefer said. "I definitely wish I could have played."
He returned with a vengeance this season. Dedicating himself to an offseason running and weightlifting program, he slimmed down from the 215 pounds he carried as a freshman to 180, improving his quickness and stamina along the way.
"I wanted to become a good athlete, because that's one of the main things that I enjoy doing," Schaefer said. "I didn't want to be just an average player. I'd like to be above and beyond."
Schaefer's work soon earned him a starting spot. Even he was surprised by the results.
"I didn't think I was going to start," he said. "But I knew as long as I put forth effort before the actual practicing started, it would help me with that."
Playing mostly right defensive end, Schaefer's primary responsibility is to keep opposing quarterbacks and running backs from getting outside him. If a blocker comes straight at him, his job is to engage the blocker with his inside shoulder and force the play inside.
Making a tackle in the backfield is a bonus that Schaefer relishes.
"It's one of the greatest feelings I've ever had," Schaefer said.
More should be on the way. With a year and a half remaining in high school, Schaefer's coaches expect him to continue to improve.
"He's definitely made some eye-opening plays for us this year," Vonada said. "He's one of those guys that he's a great statement to hard work. He's a great example of the things that can happen for you if you just keep working at it."
- Frank Pastor can be reached at 800 333-7505, ext. 1430. Send e-mail to pastor@sptimes.com
