It all starts with 'Dave'

Canton's out-of-the-spotlight, all-for-one linemen trigger team's offensive success

  It is no coincidence that every year for the past decade the Canton football team's most valuable player has been named "Dave."

  This year's MVP stands a combined 30 feet tall, weighs about a half-ton and, boy, does he like pancakes, especially on Friday nights between 7 and 9 p.m.

  Dave doesn't mind working in the shadows of his more well-known teammates -- the ones who score the touchdowns and get their names in the paper -- because he knows his gridiron brothers appreciate the less-than-glamorous, lane-paving blocks he makes that create daylight for the Chiefs' running backs.

  Dave is the collective name given to the Canton offensive line by coach Bob Williams, who stresses the importance of unity and togetherness.

   "There are no individuals on our offensive line," said senior tackle Chris Hilton. "We are one single unit. We are Dave."

  "If somebody makes a nice block," added junior Alex Marsh, "Dave did it. If someone jumps offsides, Dave did it."

  Judging by the Chiefs' 40-point-a-game scoring average this season, Dave is making a lot of good blocks.

  "They've been very good this season," said Canton coach Tim Baechler. "They're not a real big group, but they're physical and they execute. Our backs are very fast, so the linemen understand that if they come off the ball hard and execute their block for a second, it gives our backs enough time to get into the initial gap and make a play."

  Dave is anchored by senior captain Ryan Dunleavy, who triggers every play from his center position. Dunleavy said that if he and his fellow linemen don't work together, there's a good chance the defense is going to blow up the play.

  "Unity is very important for us," said Dunleavy. "If I don't come off the ball hard, our guards can't pull, and if our guards can't pull, it messes up our tackles and our backs don't get any yards.

  "Coach Williams has taught me a lot. The most important things are to stay low and keep my feet moving."

  Marsh has been an offensive lineman since his third-grade season at Our Lady of Good Counsel. Judging by the enthusiasm in his voice, he has loved every minute of it.

  "I love playing in the trenches and being able to hit somebody right off the ball every play," he said. "You have to like to hit if you're going to play this position."

  Junior Marty Brudzinski said the O-line's hard work doesn't go unnoticed by those who really matter: the coaches and players.

  "Every week, when we're watching film of the game we just played, it seems like we're the ones getting the credit when somebody scores," he said. "One of the coaches is always saying, 'Good job O-line!' when we score."

  "It doesn't bother me at all that we don't get a lot of attention," said senior tackle Joe Galanty. "Our teammates give us all the props we need."

  "It's a work-your-butt-off-every-day position and it's not glamorous, but I love it," added senior Carter Staffield. "I love hitting people. We all love hitting people."

  Senior Alec Gilo said familiarity has been a primary reason why this year's line has been so successful.

  "A lot of us played together last season, so we've known each other for a long time which is important," he said. "We get along really well away from football, which helps, too."

  Ed Wright can be reached at [email protected] or (734) 453-1980.