Defensive linemen are typical targets for Rock Bridge center Clay Minchew. But during Tuesday?s practice, he directed his attention at a flock of Canada geese.
Rock Bridge center John Wacker prepares to snap the ball during varsity practice on Wednesday. Wacker is filling in for injured starter Clay Minchew. Minchew strained his MCL during last week?
s 24-21 victory over Liberty. He will be sidelined for at least two weeks.
The injury has forced Minchew to find creative ways to channel his aggression.
He fired a football at the four geese flying over the Rock Bridge practice field on Tuesday. Not hitting them disappointed Minchew.
But in football, near hits are unacceptable.
When Minchew left last week?s game against Liberty early in the third quarter, the Bruins? backup centers, Brett Dwyer and Cooper Price, mishandled multiple snaps to quarterback Logan Gray.
The awkward exchanges led to several Liberty touchdowns, but Gray led a 79-yard fourth-quarter drive to clinch the win.
Rock Bridge coach A.J.
Ofodile was not satisfied, and he did not wait long to come up with a solution. Immediately after the game, he asked the Bruins? 6-foot-1, 225-pound defensive leader, senior linebacker Johnny Wacker, to replace Minchew.
Wacker has started for three years. He calls defensive plays in the huddle. But the last time he played on the offensive line was in fourth grade.
He started at guard on his Columbia Youth Football League team.
But Wacker?s inexperience did not faze Ofodile.
?He?s the perfect choice to go ahead and try to move in there,?
Ofodile said.
Ofodile said the physical linebacker and tight end is possibly the team?s best blocker in terms of technique.
He knows how to move his feet and where to put his hands. His experience as a defensive starter will calm his nerves.
He will also enjoy the chance to knock more opponents to the ground.
?He definitely likes contact,? Gray said, ?
so he?s probably even more happy that he can be blocking every single play.?
Wacker did not wait until Monday?s practice to start learning his new position. He and Gray were like children playing touch football during the weekend.
Wacker repeatedly hiked the ball to the quarterback in the backyard and on the driveway.
The two did not even mind practicing in the rain. The good friends always hang out and watch football over the weekend.
Wacker hopes to suit up on Saturdays next fall. Division-I schools such as Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas are interested in him, according to Rivals.com, a college recruiting Web site.
Wacker continued to perfect his skills during Tuesday?s practice. He focused on one-on-one drills before joining the offense as No.
1 Rock Bridge (8-0) ran through plays for today?s 7 p.m.
district matchup against No. 3 Blue Springs (7-1).
Walker got fatigued as he went through individual repetitions without a break, but he said it felt natural once he was sandwiched between the four other offensive linemen.
Ofodile was pleased with Wacker?s progress, especially how well he blocked after delivering the ball to Gray. He had no bad snaps during Wednesday?
s practice.
?Once we?
ve got up and running during practice,? Ofodile said, ?I forgot that (Minchew) wasn?
t in there.?
Wacker?
s teammates have helped him. They understand the position?s high learning curve.
?That?s a lot to learn in a week,?
left guard Jason Reddy said.
The linemen always communicate during games to execute the correct blocking schemes, so they will make sure Wacker knows to pass block or double-team.
Gray has told his friend to take his time.
With more and more repetitions, Wacker will be able to focus on blocking a charging defensive tackle rather than putting the ball in Gray?s hands.
?
I?m just really excited that we cannot really miss a beat with him coming in,? Gray said.
With Wacker stepping in for Minchew, the Bruins may prepare for the season?s most talented opponent. The No.
3 Wildcats defeated Oak Park 35-0 last week. Their dominance, coupled with Rock Bridge?s close win over Liberty, has convinced some prognosticators that the Bruins will suffer their first loss tonight.
?I think (people) look at us being vulnerable right now, so I think Blue Springs definitely is the favorite,? Ofodile said.
?But that?s OK.
We?re pretty good with the underdog role.?
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