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Unsung heroes
By TERRY JONES © St. Petersburg Times, published November 19, 2000 NORTHDALE -- In front of every great running back play the less-heralded linemen. But when records fall, the blockers tend to get their due. So it's time to meet Gaither Cowboys' front line: Justin Riley, Cesar Paz, Charlie and Sam McClure, Josey Ballard and Antwan Coles. Their dedicated, tough and skillful play helped put teammate Lydell Ross in the Hillsborough County record book this year. Ross set the regular-season rushing mark of 2,150 yards. With the Cowboys favored in Friday's playoff game, he has a good chance to break the total rushing mark of 2,322 yards, set by Robinson's Zain Gilmore in 1997. "These six guys have been playing together for two seasons and a couple of them for three," Gaither offensive line coach Anthony Jones said. "Before the beginning of the season, they got together as a unit and discussed the possibility of Lydell setting a rushing record and committed themselves to helping to make that happen. They did it." All six are big and, according to Jones, quick. Coles is a junior and the others are seniors. Ballard, 6 feet 1 and 280 pounds, is the center and offensive line signal caller. While opponents are moving before a play, he reads blitzes and other defensive schemes and shouts out blocking assignments and moves. Jones refers to Riley as the statesman and brains of the unit. Riley, 6 feet 4 and 230 pounds, plays tight end, blocking for outside runs or protecting for passes. The McClure twins are the guards. Both are 6-5 and weight around 230 and tried out for the team as sophomores with no football experience. Charlie plays left guard and Sam right. Jones said they have a strong work ethic, and he can't remember either one ever missing a practice. Coles, the 6-foot, 325-pound right tackle, is the junior on the line. Jones said he hasn't seen anyone who loves the physical contact of football more than Coles. "He gets more pancake blocks than anyone else on the team," Jones said. "In other words, when he blocks a man, he leaves him on the ground. He starts smiling when he is getting dressed for a game and smiles more after putting an opponent down. He really enjoys the hitting." Paz is the unit leader. According to Jones, the 6-2, 305-pound left tackle constantly encourages the offensive line and Ross. "Since last summer, when we realized Lydell had a chance to break the rushing record, we bonded together even more to work extra hard to make sure he accomplished just that," Paz said. "Lydell is easy to block for. He is so great he doesn't need much of a seam. We are closer than brothers. Even on weekends, you will find us just hanging together, along with Lydell. "We are not the only ones on the team, though. We are just part of Gaither football. Our school is very important to us." Jones called the Cowboys' offensive line one of the hardest working and most unselfish groups he has coached. "They are all great kids with a true sense of the overall value of everyone on the team, even the guys who back them up," Jones said. "They never miss practice and never slow down just because it is hard work. Every time Lydell breaks loose with a run, they are the first ones to get to him with congratulations. "They do a good job with little to no recognition."
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