Girard linemen do double duty

The task of Bud McSuley’s squad is twofold: protect (the QB) and pressure (opposing offenses).

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

GIRARD — Girard High football players Craig Brooks and Aaron Carmichael are being asked to take a bigger role this season for the good of the Indians.

As seniors, the request isn’t out of the ordinary.

Both are now in positions as offensive linemen, in addition to the duties they performed last year on defense.

Brooks (6-3, 210) and Carmichael (6-0, 290) are two of 35 Indians who will be dressed for action when Girard opens its season against Niles on Friday at 7 p.m.

Bottom line

“As the offensive and defensive lines go, so go the Indians,” Girard coach Bud McSuley said of the importance of individuals who will do the grunt work for teammates.

Brooks returns at left defensive end, but will now play right tackle on offense, while Carmichael is now playing offensive guard as well as defensive tackle.

“We’ve got to create a new line of scrimmage on defense — one that will put pressure on the opposing offense — and, offensively, we’ve got to protect our quarterback and give him time to get the ball to our skill kids and open seams for our running backs.”

Ryan Hancock (6-2, 251 Sr.) is Girard’s starter back on the offensive line, while Marty Brinker (6-1, 148 Sr.), Brett Cubellis (6-2, 205 Sr.) and Anthony Guerrieri (6-0, 208 Sr.) return as receivers.

They round out the nucleus of Girard’s 12-senior strong team.

Junior Kyle Stadelmyer (6-2, 207) returns as tailback after gaining 1,570 yards as a sophomore and Nick DeVore (5-10, 169 Sr.) brings experience to the defensive backfield.

Stadelmyer is one of five juniors on the squad.

Dragons on roll

McSuley hopes his Indians, who have a 3-2 edge in the series over Niles the last five years, can stop the Red Dragons, who have won the last two and feature standout running back Nate Ganyard.

The quarterback needing protection is Adam Charles (6-2, 180 So.), who filled in during Week 4 last season for injured Scooter Hargate.

Charles entered in the second half of the Brookfield game after Hargate broke his leg. Charles made his first start the next week against Liberty and continued under center the remainder of the year.

“He’s doing a good job seeing the field and he’s starting to become a leader in the huddle,” McSuley said. “Obviously, everything goes through him.”

The type of attack expected from Girard’s offense could vary.

“We’re going to mix it up and, whatever the defense gives us, we’ll take advantage of,” McSuley said. “That’s the key this year.”

Niles won last year’s game 28-16 and has won two straight against the Indians.

That win helped propel the Red Dragons to a 9-1 record last year — their only loss came against Poland — and a playoff berth, their first since 2000.

The Red Dragons return 16 lettermen, including standout RB Nate Ganyard who gained more than 1,000 yards last year. They also return four offensive lineman and will look to outmuscle the Indians up front.