Members of Yulee's offensive line might not join Derrick Henry in the national record book, but they feel very much as co-contributors to the more than 11,000 yards in his illustrious career.
File photo by Gray Quetti
senior center
Jack Dobrie was practically frothing at the mouth when he considered the moment of truth, of reckoning, of when teammate
Derrick Henry breaks prep football's grand-daddy of all national records.
"I'm going to try my heart out and pancake my guy," Dobrie said with the zeal of a WWF wrestler Thursday afternoon after a team meeting. "And as (Henry) is running, I'm going try to catch up with him, but I'll probably just meet him in the end zone.
"I know that's going to be the record-breaking play. I can feel it."
All signs and feelings indicate that the 6-foot-3, 240-pound running back will gain at least 102 yards in tonight's 7:30 first-round 4A state playoff game against visiting Taylor County (Perry, Fla.) and break Ken Hall's career rushing mark of 11,232 yards, a record that has stood for 59 years.
Henry hasn't rushed for less than 200 yards in any game this season and with 3,270 yards and 44 touchdowns for the 7-3 Hornets, he averages 327 yards per game. That means the record-breaking play should happen some time early in the second quarter.
It's a moment that will no doubt be cherished not only by Henry, the record holder whose name will be bronzed in the book, but also by the six up front who have paved the way and done all the dirty work, but whose names will be part of a trivia question at best.
No matter, says Dobrie, a solid, no-nonsense 5-10, 294-pound block of spitfire. The native New Yorker knows line play is as glamorous — and vital — as taking out the trash and doing laundry. An All-State guard last season, Dobrie moved to center this season to make the Hornets better.
"We all take pride in it," he said. "When I have children or become a coach, I can tell them yes, I was part of a high school rushing record that was set my senior year. My name might not be there in the record book, but I think I've left a mark on this team."
The offensive linemen don't mind being in the background of Derrick Henry's record-setting career as long as the Hornets continue to win. They are going after their school's first state title in any sport.
File photo by Gray Quetti
He's the physical and vocal leader of the line and can recite every strength, weakness, social security number and DNA chain of his teammates on the line. Well, maybe not the latter two, but the point is they're close.
Consider Dobrie's analysis of his brethren of the 3-point stance.
Left tackle Nick Ortiz (6-4, 285, senior): "Good athlete. Great friend – except for baseball season. He's from Boston and roots for the Red Sox. I'm a Yankees fan. He's a real good person to know. If you're having problems or need something explained, he's there to help."
Left guard Donta Owens (6-0, 337, sophomore): "He took my spot and he's a quick learner. He knows his position and plays an important position in our line. We don't have any weak links."
Right guard Michael Brown (6-1, 201, junior): "He's a nice guy and a heck of a player. He's one of our smaller linemen, but the guy tries his heart out. You might get the better of him for a while, but he won't stop coming at you. You can't break his will."
Right tackle Nathan Hoyle (6-1, 324, freshman): "He's a good kid. He has a lot to learn but c'mon, he's a freshman. He already understands the game and what we're trying to do. It's just a matter of time before he really takes off. I can see him going very far in this sport and in life."
Tight end Aaron Clifton (6-1, 172, junior): "C'mon, all tight ends are just glorified linemen. They're taller, skinny guys who can catch passes. Hey, we accept him as one of our brothers on the offensive line. He goes through the reps and works hard. He's just like one of us but he gets a little more game film."
Junior tight end Aaron Clifton is a "Glorified lineman," according to Jack Dobrie, but a lineman just the same.
File photo by Gray Quetti
And what about Dobrie, a second-year varsity player and starter? His critique comes from Henry himself.
"Jack has grown every year from the time he was a freshman," Henry said. "He's so much better than he was. He's the leader of our line. He calms everyone down. He's just a great player and I'm thankful for him to be on the line. I'm thankful for all our linemen. This record isn't just mine. It's all of ours."
Ortiz, who has worn a cast the last three weeks on his left arm to protect torn ligaments in his thumb, also sees it as a team record.
"It's a really big deal," he said. "It's going to be so big (Friday) I can't even comprehend. Us linemen just need to make a push and Derrick will do the rest."
Said Dobrie: "It's not just Derrick's and the line's record. It's everyone who has been blocking for him since he was a freshman. I was honored to take the reins from those guys and pick up where they left off."
And what play will finish it off the record? Dobrie and Ortiz hope it's "25 blast."
"He runs right behind me," Dobrie said. "I know that as soon as I come off the ball we're rolling. I know as long as I have my guy and do my job, I know Nick is doing his job, so it's going to the house every time."
And perhaps Friday, straight into the record book.
It's easy to block for Derrick Henry, his linemen say, and that's because he runs so very hard.
File photo by Gray Quetti
