The theme of the Manheim Central preview stuff this week is offensive line.

Through three games – all victories for the Barons, are who humming along quite nicely, thank you, at 3-0 and picking up steam heading into Friday’s Section 2 opener against rival Cocalico – quarterback Justin Gorman, who pilots Central’s tricky Spread Gun attack, has been sacked just one time and touched just two other times.

That’s it.

Central has proved that if the o-line gives Gorman time, he can burn you – by either throwing to a tall/athletic/fast group of wideouts or handing the ball to Joe Gruber, who has a league-best seven TD runs in three weeks.

So say hello to the guys in the middle who have been making it happen – Blake Kreider (right tackle; 5-11, 211), Joe Weaver (right guard; 6-3, 310), Shaun Buller (center; 5-10, 260), Rob LaPorte (left guard; 6-4, 310), Peter Ireland (left tackle; 6-3, 260) and Brett Barber (tight end; 6-1, 195).

“The first two weeks was sort of a work in progress, but I thought all of those guys did a really nice job (in Week 3) against Lancaster Catholic,” Central line coach Dave Hahn said this week. “But they have to get better. They have a lot to do. But I love what their potential is … they’re not hungry and they don’t get after it all them. They have some dry spells. They need to fight through that and fight through every single play.”

As an added twist, Central switched to zone-blocking schemes this season to compliment the Spread Gun. So guys are doing things a little differently. So far, so very good for the Barons, who are 3-0, putting up some major points, making big plays and making opposing defensive coordinators uneasy.

I chatted with Central coach Mike Williams about his decision to go to a zone-blocking scheme, and how the guys in the trenches are handling it. And I chatted with Joe Weaver, who is down in the trenches, making it happen. And I chatted with LB/RB Lowen Johnson, who has watched that group’s progress so far this season.

You can listen to their thoughts in the following Podcasts here …

For years, Central coach Mike Williams was the King of the Veer Option Offense. The Barons ran that scheme for years and years and years – with much success. But times change and kids change, and every once in a while you just have to tweak things up a bit.

So Williams, who has never been afraid of change, overhauled Central’s O and went with a Spread Gun package, which features the QB in the shotgun with multiple wideouts and often one back – or even no backs.

That also meant a new blocking system – the zone-blocking scheme.

The Barons are more than pulling it off so far. The aforementioned guys in the trenches are taking care of business, Gorman is getting time to make plays, and Central is doing things. Now, can they keep it up?

I chatted with Williams his new scheme, and you can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above. You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

 

Joe Weaver knows all about the history surrounding Central’s tradition-rich football program.

Matt Nagy. Dan Kreider. Jeff Smoker. Graham Zug.

But he also knows that none of those skill kids would have had that much success without the guys in the trenches, giving up their bodies and leaving it all on the line play after play, game after game.

One common thread throughout Central’s powerhouse teams over the years – excellent line play. A thumper in the middle who did the anchoring, surrounded by guys who spent their summers in the weight room prepping for November/December football.

Don’t look now, but Central is putting together another championship-worthy line, and Weaver is one of those guys in the trenches doing the dirty work and heavy lifting.

I chatted with Weaver about he and his line mates, how the new schemes are coming along and what it’s like blocking in this program.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and listen to it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

Lowen Johnson is a heavy hitter, that’s why he appreciates what the guys on Central’s o-line do day in and day out.

Sometimes he’ll run from behind them during a game. And from his LB spot, often times he’ll go up against them in practice.

Johnson is part of a frisky defense that likes getting in gaps and wreaking major havoc. It helps that Penn State recruit and All-State pick Dakota Royer is on the outside. He often takes up two guys, leaving someone – Johnson or Joe Gruber, usually – to find an open hole and unleash on an unsuspecting quarterback or running back.

That’s they way it’s gone for Central early on, as the Barons will take a 3-0 record into their much-anticipated Section 2 opener against Cocalico.

I chatted with Johnson about the Barons’ O line and how he’s seen that group mature; about the Barons’ fast start; and where Central goes from here, with Cocalico coming to Manheim on Friday.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and listen to it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.