BLOCK PARTY
Let’s take a moment and go back in time almost thirty years ago. The year was 1978, and the Venice Indians, unbeknownst to them, would begin a consecutive game-winning streak that would carry them straight to next season. From 1978 to 1979 the Indians won 33 straight regular season games and captured the district and regional crowns in ’79. In the middle of it all was Dave Butler, who played on the offensive line from 1977 to 1979.
As we journey back to present day, we find the Indians towards the end of their regular season. Standing at 7-2, with a district title under their belts, they look to close out the season with a big win over Booker High and head into the playoffs. Still in the middle of it all is Dave Butler. This time however, he is coaching an offensive line that is making things happen for Venice.
While it is debatable that this is the best o-line Venice has seen, it is certainly not debatable that they are the biggest and strongest. This years front five average 292 pounds, and four out of the five bench over 300 pounds with tackle Mike Lopez cleaning 300. Coach Butler brings a lot of experience to the table. Besides playing on some of the best Venice teams in history, he played at Ottawa University in Kansas where he was named an All-Conference offensive lineman his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Upon graduation he stayed at Ottawa and was a graduate assistant in the fall of 1984 and ’85. Coach Butler says that not much has changed since his playing days. “ The only difference from then to now is the size. Kids are bigger and stronger now, but technique has never changed.” A big change from last year is the fact that none of them have taken a varsity snap for Venice. The only person playing on the line this year that has any varsity experience is Brock Rydecki, and he played for Lake Placid last year, which is only a 2A school. Mike Lopez and Billy Nagle played JV, Dan Burke was unsuccessful coming off an injury last season, and Ronnie Thomas didn’t play at all last year. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, said Butler. “But we are getting them to play; we’re getting there. Overall we are better than we have been and the kids are doing a good job.” It hasn’t been easy though. These kids have been working at getting better and stronger for a while, but they see that it is paying off. “We started working in December. Said Dan Burke, who is a senior this year. “We came in everyday over break and lifted and got stronger. I think the only day we weren’t there was Christmas.”
According to Coach Butler a good offensive line creates a better offense. “An offense evolves around the line getting their job done, and blowing people off the line of scrimmage.” So how well is the o-line getting the job done? Well so far this season Venice has averaged 339 yards per game on offense. They have three six hundred yard rushers and a thousand yard passer. None of which would be made possible with out the big boys blocking and opening up holes.
Look for the offensive line to improve and get better with each week of the playoffs. It is a crucial time of the year, and if Venice wants to continue to be successful on offense, the line will have to play the integral part they have been playing all year. Booker will be an excellent challenge before round one next week.
Let’s take a moment and go back in time almost thirty years ago. The year was 1978, and the Venice Indians, unbeknownst to them, would begin a consecutive game-winning streak that would carry them straight to next season. From 1978 to 1979 the Indians won 33 straight regular season games and captured the district and regional crowns in ’79. In the middle of it all was Dave Butler, who played on the offensive line from 1977 to 1979.
As we journey back to present day, we find the Indians towards the end of their regular season. Standing at 7-2, with a district title under their belts, they look to close out the season with a big win over Booker High and head into the playoffs. Still in the middle of it all is Dave Butler. This time however, he is coaching an offensive line that is making things happen for Venice.
While it is debatable that this is the best o-line Venice has seen, it is certainly not debatable that they are the biggest and strongest. This years front five average 292 pounds, and four out of the five bench over 300 pounds with tackle Mike Lopez cleaning 300. Coach Butler brings a lot of experience to the table. Besides playing on some of the best Venice teams in history, he played at Ottawa University in Kansas where he was named an All-Conference offensive lineman his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Upon graduation he stayed at Ottawa and was a graduate assistant in the fall of 1984 and ’85. Coach Butler says that not much has changed since his playing days. “ The only difference from then to now is the size. Kids are bigger and stronger now, but technique has never changed.” A big change from last year is the fact that none of them have taken a varsity snap for Venice. The only person playing on the line this year that has any varsity experience is Brock Rydecki, and he played for Lake Placid last year, which is only a 2A school. Mike Lopez and Billy Nagle played JV, Dan Burke was unsuccessful coming off an injury last season, and Ronnie Thomas didn’t play at all last year. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, said Butler. “But we are getting them to play; we’re getting there. Overall we are better than we have been and the kids are doing a good job.” It hasn’t been easy though. These kids have been working at getting better and stronger for a while, but they see that it is paying off. “We started working in December. Said Dan Burke, who is a senior this year. “We came in everyday over break and lifted and got stronger. I think the only day we weren’t there was Christmas.”
According to Coach Butler a good offensive line creates a better offense. “An offense evolves around the line getting their job done, and blowing people off the line of scrimmage.” So how well is the o-line getting the job done? Well so far this season Venice has averaged 339 yards per game on offense. They have three six hundred yard rushers and a thousand yard passer. None of which would be made possible with out the big boys blocking and opening up holes.
Look for the offensive line to improve and get better with each week of the playoffs. It is a crucial time of the year, and if Venice wants to continue to be successful on offense, the line will have to play the integral part they have been playing all year. Booker will be an excellent challenge before round one next week.
