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Hoffman is strong player for Panthers

Senior lineman with brains and brawn hopes to spark Lecanto to its first district crown.

By RICHARD BURTON
Published September 9, 2005

LECANTO - It's safe to say Lecanto senior lineman Andy Hoffman hasn't had any trouble learning the Panthers' 212-page playbook.

The 6-foot, 255-pound three-year starter has a 4.4 grade-point average. Plus, Hoffman recorded a 32 score on the ACT and 1950 on the SAT.

"He's very motivated and driven," Lecanto coach Bob LeCours said. "He sets goals and works to achieve them."

Hoffman plans to major in economics in college and is leaning toward an in-state school. But right now, he is hoping to lead the Panthers to their first district crown.

"This is the first time that we are all together as a team with no divisions," Hoffman said. "Coach LeCours has done a great job in bringing us together, and we are now like a family."

To get to where he needed to be, Hoffman hit the weights hard over the summer. He bench presses 285 pounds, squats 425 and deadlifts 500.

Overall, Lecanto had an impressive turnout in the summer and Hoffman made 77 percent of the workouts. The only time he missed was while he was gone looking at colleges up north.

"He did what I asked him to do," LeCours said. "Every day that he was here in Lecanto, he was working out, and when he was gone, he was checking into something very worthwhile."

His brawn is impressive, but his brains are what has enabled him to make the switch to offensive tackle after spending most of two previous varsity seasons on the defensive front.

With Lecanto running a Wing-T offense, Hoffman and his linemates have to work angles to block opposing linemen. It's a different attack than the 4 yards and a cloud of dust most high school teams use.

"I like offense because I get to apply my knowledge as well as my strength," Hoffman said. "On defense your trying to overpower your opponent, but on offense it is power and your brains."

Hoffman puts in quite a bit of work in his studies. There's no playing around - just like on the field.

He's taking two honors classes and spends at least two hours per night doing homework. As a junior, he took three honors classes per semester.

"I just have to make sure that I stay on top of things and that I don't fall behind," Hoffman said. "I have to stay focused. I know that I can't take breaks and that I have to stay committed."

Throughout his school career, his focus has been excellent. The Baltimore native has made only three Bs.

He moved to Lecanto in first grade, and has been impressing his elders ever since.

"Academics is first with all of our student-athletes, and Andy is a good role model for all of our younger kids," LeCours said. "He's a gentleman and is the kind of young man that we are trying to produce here.

"Football is a mental game," the coach said. "He really has a great knowledge of the game, and that helps him a great deal."

[Last modified September 9, 2005, 01:18:20]