Quick switch: Central juniors take on new duties

~ Juniors Shawn Hammock and John Ritter take on new duties in an effort to bolster Central's lines.

When Central juniors Shawn Hammock and John Ritter participated in linemen drills at practice this week, they stood side-by-side some teammates who are 10 inches taller and who outweigh them by 90 pounds.

But size is no concern for Hammock, the Tigers' newly appointed nose guard, and Ritter, the team's new offensive right guard. Nor is it a problem for their coach Lawrence Brookins, who carefully watched them during practice Wednesday.

"[They[']re] not big enough and strong enough physically to move people around like a big 300-pound kid might," Brookins said. "But sometimes these lighter, quicker and smaller guys, especially lined up over the guards and centers, give you more than a big [300]-pound lug."

Brookins said that after watching the film of the team's 56-7 loss to Parkway North in Week 1, he knew he needed to find a quicker nose guard to disrupt the middle, and a faster guard to pull and block.

So he met with the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Hammock and the 5-7 180-pound Ritter the following Sunday about taking on new roles.

"He called me into the office and gave me an offensive playbook," Ritter said. "He told me I was switching to guard. At first, it was just a shock because I didn't think I would be switched like that."

Hammock, a former defensive end, and Ritter, a former backup fullback, spent the next four practices learning their new roles before starting last Friday.

But for the second straight week, the Tigers were on the losing end of a lopsided contest -- this time 61-16 to New Madrid. Still, Brookins said he saw a number of positives after watching the game film, which the team can take into Central's home opener tonight against Blytheville (Ark.) at 7 p.m. Two of those positives include the way Hammock battled at nose guard and Ritter played on the offensive line.

"After watching the film, we found two kids that have found homes on the field where they can actually contribute to our squad," Brookins said.

For Hammock, the transition has been smooth from defensive end because he struggled stopping sweeps and other runs to his side in this former role. Hammock also wrestled during his freshman and sophomore years, earning approximately 35 wins, he estimates, and placing fifth in the district.

Brookins likes Hammock on the line because the junior uses the same speed and aggression that made him a successful wrestler to battle his way through larger offensive linemen, using both the bull and rip pass rushing techniques.

One main reason Hammock experienced difficulties at defensive end was because he was unable to see the ball carrier over the fullbacks, tight ends and guards who blocked him, he said. Now he is able to line up in a three-point stance and beat opponents off the line using his speed.

"He struggled most of last season as a D-end and opened up this season with not a whole lot for the better," Brookins said. "So I brought him in, talked to him and I said, 'Hey brother, you want to play football?' And he said, 'Yeah.' And I said, 'If you want to play defense it's not going to be at defensive end or you'll be a bench warmer.'"

Brookins told Hammock that if he wanted to remain a starter, he'd have to move willingly to nose guard.

Hammock agreed immediately.

Hammock said playing nose guard allows him to use his wrestling skills.

"You have to do a lot of hand fighting in the trenches," he said. "If you can control the hands, you can control the body. ... I can get them off balance and it's easier to move them around."

Brookins said Hammock is tough because he is quick, has a low center of gravity and is difficult to knock off his feet.

"That sucker played like hell [last Friday]," Brookins said. "That kid lined up at nose guard and every snap he fired off the ball, slammed the guard or tackle in front of him off center and by doing that he created a new line of scrimmage.

"Coaching is about trying to find and create situations in which athletes can achieve success. If a kid's beating his head against the wall in one area, at one point or the other either the kid or the coaches or both of us have to realize that this isn't going to work."

The change has been a little more difficult for Ritter because he moved from the backfield to the line.

Ritter's start at guard last week was only his second varsity start. Last fall, he filled in one game at linebacker.

One of the reasons Brookins moved him to the line is because guards are often required to pull around the other linemen on sweep plays to block the outside linebackers. And Ritter has experience blocking downfield as a fullback. Hammock also starts on offense as the left guard.

Ritter said his smaller stature works to his advantage because he can stay lower than the opposing defensive linemen, dig his feet into the ground and push them back. Ritter said pass blocking and knowing his assignments on running plays have been a little difficult so far. But he's glad finally to be out on the field starting and he looks forward to playing in the home opener tonight.

"It was nice switching because I want to be out on the field and help the team out," Ritter said. "It's great, especially since it's the home crowd and just get pumped and everything and get ready to go."

Hammock and Ritter said they are both surprised and disappointed with the rough start their team has experienced. But they hope they can help turn things around in their new positions.

"I thought we were going to be really good this year and we had everything going for us, but then Parkway North happened and New Madrid happened," Hammock said. "We're just trying to get back to the basics, do our techniques right and fly to the ball."