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Pirate protector

James Longfellow puts his brains and brawn to work, keeping opponents away from quarterback Shay Newcomer.

By BRIAN SUMERS
Published September 30, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - Stuck in football's violent trenches, Crystal River lineman James Longfellow knows he'll rarely receive individual recognition.

His work doesn't surface in statistics, but Longfellow says the hitting - the body-on-body contact - provides enough excitement. And his mother, a faithful supporter of her son's career, believes she knows why.

"I think it's fun for most boys - the boys I have, at least - to be a bit rough," said Lori Longfellow, who acknowledges she watches each play hoping no one will get hurt.

"I'm not saying he's a bully or a meanie, but it's fun in the sense that you pad up, you put a helmet on, and you go out there."

So tonight, perhaps with only his mom watching, Longfellow, the Pirates' starting right offensive tackle, will protect quarterback Shay Newcomer and open holes for running backs Joe Bertine and Justin Rolph.

Although fans will notice Longfellow only when he allows a sack or misses a block, he says he doesn't mind.

"It's got to be done," said Longfellow, a senior and two-year starter. "It's not the most fun job, but personally I love it."

Few kids grow up wishing to be offensive linemen and Longfellow was no exception. He played tight end for the junior varsity through his first two high school seasons, catching the occasional pass.

But last season, the Pirates' thin varsity squad needed an offensive tackle.

Plus, at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, he had the right body type.

So Longfellow learned a new position, and then, along with his teammates, trudged through a 2-8 season. While some of his classmates decided not to return, Longfellow made summer workouts a staple of his offseason.

"I love football," he said. "I'd never quit, especially not in my senior year."

While Crystal River (1-4) has struggled again, his mother senses Longfellow still enjoys the game.

"He gets over things pretty easily," Lori Longfellow said. "He's discouraged at first, but he really does recuperate well."

Since the Pirates lineup remains small and inexperienced, Longfellow also plays defensive end.

Still, offense is his forte. Recently, Longfellow became a confidant for Newcomer, who took over when Kyle Daquanna quit earlier this month.

Though Longfellow acknowledges apologizing to Newcomer after a couple of poor plays in last week's 50-0 loss to Trinity Catholic, the new quarterback says he's grateful to his protector.

"James was the one who helped me through," Newcomer said. "In the first game, I was nervous but he told me I'd do a great job."

While he loves the game, Longfellow knows his career will end soon. But his devotion to academics - he carries a 3.98 grade point average - will likely make the transfer to full-time student a little easier.

Until then, he hopes his play has eased the stereotype of slow, overweight linemen.

"You think they are dumb fat people," he said. "But they are really not."

[Last modified September 30, 2005, 01:35:17]