Following the leaders: Blocking of fullback Burns

Injuries that could the test the pronunciation ability of even a Harvard-educated surgeon struck a starting prong and the depth gong of the Lemont High School backfield last year, leaving fullback returnee Andrew Tomala as the lone sure bet heading into the 2008 season.

A fractured acromioclavicular joint -- better known as the AC joint and much easier to spell -- and a torn labrum in his shoulder shelved Danny Hayes, today a 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior tailback. Tyler Burns, then a 6-1, 225-pound junior fullback, left the Indians' lineup at the midpoint with a torn posterior cruciate ligament or PCL.

Escaping practically unscathed playing alongside Eastern Illinois University-bound running back Bobby Earnest and Northwestern quarterback recruit Brett Nagel, Tomala took over the bulk of the fullback chores. But with Burns back and Hayes healthy, Tomala has merged into a tailback/fullback -- with the dye cast for the Indians' ground-oriented offense.

They had the talent.

They had the heart.

Now, they have perspective.

"It's about being out here," Hayes said. "I think the injury helped me out a lot. I'm grateful to be out here, and I want to play every play like it's my last. That's what my dad always tells me."

"It was such an emotional thing, working so hard for a full season of football and then having it cut short like that," Burns confirmed. "It was depressing for me personally, but I think it was a blessing in disguise because I came back and worked that much harder. I worked on my speed and my focus to get to 110 percent."

With Hayes' speed, Burns' blocking and Tomala's torque of power and quickness, Lemont's fast-and-furious focus has transcended that 110-percent plateau. The new-name, old-school Indians have rushed for 1,801 yards or 300.2 per game, averaging 7.3 a carry, to boast a total offense of 2,337 yards or 389.5 per game, averaging 7.9 a play.

On Friday night, Lemont (6-0, 2-0) plays host to Hillcrest (3-3, 1-1) in the latest installment of South Suburban Blue action, and Burns, Hayes, Tomala and Co. hope to enjoy the Indians' continual view of rushing aplenty.

"Our big emphasis is on the running game," Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen said. "We spend a lot of time in practice working on trying to predict what the other team's front will be like, and this year we're lucky enough to have five of our six guys up front returning and the fullbacks who got a majority of the playing time last year."

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Under Brett Nelson, in his first year as offensive coordinator, Lemont has run the same system that produced 4,134 yards rushing or 295.3 per game and an average of 7.2 yards a carry last fall. The Indians rolled to 4,863 yards of total offense or 347.4 per game, averaging 7.1 a play en route to a spot in the Class 6A state championship game.

While Michaelsen preached relentlessly in the offseason about last year being last year, Burns and Tomala, a 6-0, 195-pound senior, realized this was to be their last year, period. Tomala closed with 71 carries for 466 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2007 and Burns added 22 carries for 121 yards before injuring his PCL, but the shoes fit.

What about Burns?

A true blocking fullback.

What about Tomala?

A hybrid halfback/fullback.

"Football is very important to Tyler," Michaelsen said. "He has really listened to coach Nelson and worked on his technique to the point where I think he does a nice job blocking. He gets out of his stance quick, he's quick off the ball, and he always gets into the linebackers and the people he has to block.

"With Tomala, he gives us that guy who can sub in and give Danny a breather or Burns a breather, and it's nice for us because Andrew has been able to give us that change-of-speed back. He's a little bit bigger than Danny, runs with power, and he has the experience at fullback to go in for Burns, too."

Those two, Burns and Tomala, have stockpiled similar numbers to date. Burns has 25 carries for 191 yards and 5 TDs, contributing 3 catches for 80 yards and 2 other scores. Tomala's 38 carries for 359 yards include 5 TDs.

Last week's 42-14 win over Tinley Park provided extra fodder, Tomala rushing for 86 yards on 8 carries with a 44-yard TD and Burns breaking into the scoring column with a 13-yard TD reception. After playing the majority of snaps in the final eight games last year, Tomala has switched over to allow Burns to flicker his switch.

"I like that role," Tomala said. "I just go wherever they tell me to go. I'm pretty versatile. I can play here, I can play there, and I'll do what they need me to do. At fullback, you have to make sure you're more powerful and you hit that block and at running back, you have to have a better vision for the field and make sure you run away from guys."

"Right now, we're utilizing me as the blocking back and that's totally fine to me," Burns said. "I feel like with our offensive line and our tight end, we can make those holes for Danny and Andrew to run through and, I mean, it's almost unstoppable."

They graduated a name like Earnest, a name like Nagel. Still, stopping Lemont equals three or four threats.

"It's good," Tomala said. "Other teams can't key on one guy, and we can count on someone to get it done."

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If talk around Lemont begins with Hayes, Burns and Tomala or senior quarterback Nick Lawrence, sophomore wide receiver Lee Taylor and senior wideout Steve Shredl as the fuel for a high-octane offense, the truth of the matter comes alive when Michaelsen refers to the Indians' engines.

Look no further than senior tight end Bob Groselak (6-4, 220), senior tackle Eric Leadley (6-1, 230), senior guards Trevor Rothstein (6-1, 270) and Bryan Motyka (5-6, 190), junior tackle Jimmy Purvin (5-11, 230) and senior center Tim Ahline (6-0, 225). Motyka and Rothstein are three-year starters, Purvin a converted center and Ahline the rookie of the group.

Formerly a defensive back, Hayes qualifies as the newbie of the offensive backfield. Already loaded at the fullback position, Lemont looked at the Burns-Tomala combination and concentrated on developing a triumvirate.

What about Hayes?

A legitimate speed back.

"Danny brings a speed element that's real nice to have," Michaelsen said. "He gives you that ability to hit a home run every time he carries the ball because he has that kind of speed. He's not as big or physical as some of the runners we've had, but he's able to set up his blocks, and when he gets into the open, gets into that second level, he gets some pretty big yards."

Credit for 819 yards on 104 carries with 11 TDs would be pretty natural as well for Hayes to accept. Much like his brother Willie, an inside linebacker for Lemont last year and currently playing for North Central College, Danny knows who protects his fanny.

"It's our blocking," he said. "I feel our blocking has been the key. We have a lot of returning starters on that O-line and they have been dominating defensive fronts, pushing guys back, and they make it pretty easy for running backs like me to find the holes."

"Our O-line is the best thing ever," Tomala agreed. "It makes it so much easier when you have six guys up front blocking for you, knowing that they will always have their block and that they will always have your back."

In explaining the difference between Hayes and Tomala, Burns noted that "Danny has the speed and Andrew is more of a balanced back. Andrew has power and is more of a bruiser, but Danny is a little faster." Burns also praised the O-line and tight end Groselak before pivoting.

"At the same time, you have to give credit to Danny and Andrew," Burns said. "We make the holes and they do the running, but they have great speed and they're making great cuts."

Prior to the injuries, Michaelsen confirmed Hayes made the varsity cut as a sophomore last year, playing a follow-the-leader game with his brother.

"Willie pretty much built me into what I am now," Hayes said. "He got me into the weight room, made me work hard and be respectful of everyone. He really taught me everything. Willie got the size, I got the speed, and he hits hard, he's built and he's a great linebacker who plays with a lot of heart. I think that's our similarity -- we both try to play with a lot of heart."

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Despite the result, a 49-7 loss to Joliet Catholic Academy for the 6A state title, Lemont gained more than positive yardage. On the sidelines, Danny Hayes and Tyler Burns watched Andrew Tomala and their teammates in defeat, eventually coming to grips with what was and what was not.

They had the talent.

They had the heart.

Now, they have understanding.

"That was tough because the team made it to state," Hayes said of being hurt and missing the competition. "It makes me want to get back out there and get back down there even more."

"It gives me goose bumps, just talking about that," Burns said. "I love the idea of going to state, but our goal this whole season has been taking it one game, one week, at a time. Of course, the goal is to go undefeated, but at the same time we have to worry about Hillcrest first, Oak Forest next week, Bremen the week after. We'll see."

Opponents have seen the lights-out of Lawrence (24-of-50 passing, 536 yards, 8 TDs; 42 rushes, 293 yards, 6 TDs) connecting with Taylor (10 catches, 231 yards, 4 TDs) and Shredl (6 catches, 167 yards, 1 TD). Only Shredl started last season and Tomala can relate to the boost of experience.

"I think it has given me more confidence," Tomala said. "I don't have those game jitters like I did last year. You get scared when it's your first varsity game, but I think this year, I've had more confidence on the field.

"And it gives us more confidence as a team. We had five extra weeks of practice, and we know we can do it because we did it last year. I think we can do it this year. It gives you more confidence because if you were able to do it once, you can probably do it again."

Once again, Lemont likes to rush, living up to the Lovie Smith axiom of getting off the bus running. The Indians love this health and happiness, regardless of who handles the handoff.

"It's a more diverse backfield," Hayes said. "One week, coach Nelson likes to use Tomala, one week he likes to use Hayes, one week it's Burns and Lawrence. You can't scout one player."