Tackle Travis Tindell has had no problems adjusting to a new team.
By FRANK PASTOR, Times Staff Writer
Published November 18, 2005
HUDSON - Acclimating to a new school was nothing to Travis Tindell.
Not after a summer in which he had to communicate with people who spoke only Spanish, ate nothing but rice for weeks and hauled building materials up and down the side of a volcano.
Tindell spent two weeks on a mission in Costa Rica, where he and other members of River Ridge Presbyterian Church helped build homes for missionaries.
By comparison, transferring from River Ridge to Hudson, making new friends and finding his way around an unfamiliar school must have seemed easy.
"I've got a saying: "I do all things in Christ who strengthens me,' " Tindell said. "That just gives me the mind set I can do anything I want."
Tindell has done more than anyone hoped in his first full varsity season. A sophomore tackle, he has played almost every offensive and defensive snap for Hudson, including last week's playoff win over Orlando Bishop Moore, the first in Cobras history.
In addition to downblocking linebackers on offense, the 5-foot-8, 225-pound Tindell has been a disruptive force in opposing backfields. Shedding blocks from 300-pounders, Tindell made 93 tackles - an amazing total for a down lineman - including 20 for loss and a team-leading 10 sacks. He has forced four fumbles and recovered another.
"He's a player that may have as much potential or more than any player I've ever coached," said coach Mark Nash. "Sometimes you lose track of the fact he's only a sophomore. He's quick, he's powerful and strong, and he's another one that's an overachiever. His motor doesn't stop."
Tindell spent most of last season on River Ridge's junior varsity before he was called up for late-season games against Mitchell and Pasco. Because his uncle, Hudson assistant Robert Mahler, and grandparents live in Hudson, Tindell said changing schools simplified things for his mother, Kim, a single mother who lives in New Port Richey.
"It's been a pleasure having him come over," Mahler said. "I was a little bit nervous because I didn't want him to feel like there was any type of pressure on him to be something he's not. I didn't want him to feel like he had come over here and be all world because his uncle's a coach. But it's worked out incredibly."
Tindell had three of Hudson's six sacks in a 43-6 victory over Springstead on Sept. 9 and kept quarterback Alton Voss on the run in a 32-22 win over Gulf on Oct. 28.
Nash said he never imagined Tindell would make such a significant impact on what already was a playoff-caliber team.
"He came over, we saw him play, and jaws hit the ground," Nash said.
Tindell had a similar reaction after arriving at Hudson. He hadn't been on a winning team since he started playing in the Police Athletic League as a sixth grader.
"The first game (at Hudson), I'm like, "I'm not used to this,' " Tindell said. "(Quarterback Kyle) Hatch(er) goes, "You better get used to it, because it's going to happen a lot.' "
Tindell isn't done with missionary work, either. Energized by his trip to Costa Rica, he is considering a trip to the Dominican Republic in a year or two.
