'Brook big boys up to the 'Challenge'

BOLINGBROOK -- For once, the big boys of the high school football summer world were allowed to play.

And, in the final event at the 25th annual Raider Lineman Challenge, there was good reason for all that hooting and hollering in the field house at Bolingbrook High School.

Robert Bain, Brandon Cotton, Antwonn McGee, Cory Pugh and Anthony Sharp teamed up to win the tug of war competition. The five members of Bolingbrook's offensive line swept past their counterparts from Wheaton Warrenville South 2-0 in a best-of-three finale.

Both teams will enter the regular season ranked at or near the top of the 8A polls. Both will be riding a new high after throwing their weight around against a field of 57 different five-man teams representing 35 schools on Wednesday afternoon.

The only quarterback spotted -- ex-Bolingbrook standout Shadonta Travis -- was rolling a tennis ball around with a little girl and the track's backstretch while linemen from around the suburbs and across the northern part of the state did their thing in seven events tailor-made to show off their skills. The events ran the gamut from a obstacle course and medicine ball toss to a sled pull and shuttle relay.

"We did real well," said Pugh, a senior tackle battling to gain a starting spot at Bolingbrook. "We've just to keep going, never stop, just keep working harder. We can get conference, state -- whatever we want to do."

Pugh related the teamwork involved in winning to the tug of war to the chemistry of an 'O' line that fires off the ball as one -- it's not all about strength.

"Our offensive line is one unit," he said. "It's not five guys going separate ways. It's one unit, working as a family to get everything done. It's the same in the tug-o-war.

"You all have to stay low, pull and work as a family. It's what we've been practicing all summer."

High school football linemen often practice indoors -- in the weight room -- during the summertime. They're both out of sight and out of mind. Meanwhile, skill players more often step out into the spotlight during the offseason at 7-on-7 competitions.

Bolingbrook's lineman challenge came about after ex-Raider coach Phil Acton arrived at the conclusion the big boys needed some type of activity to satisfy their enormous appetites for competition.

"We were looking for something for the linemen to do," Acton said. "We have weights in the summertime and we have the 7-on-7s for the backs and receivers -- the skill guys. So, I was looking for something to do, and I came up with the idea that we needed to figure out some things linemen do and turn it into a competition. It's worked out pretty well.

"In fact, as I remember, it was us and St. Charles that started out in the same year. Buck Drach was the head coach over at St. Charles. We talked back-and-forth. He did some things, and I did some things. I ended up with the seven events which I think have been the best."

Acton plans to tally all the results and crown an official winner soon -- but in the meantime suffice it to say almost all the big boys at 'Brook had reason to feel satiated, including those from Lemont, Minooka, Plainfield Central and Romeoville. All four area teams also took part in the festivities.

"These are fun and they give us another chance to show what we can do, show off our skills," said Plainfield Central's 275-pound defensive lineman Lavelle Howard. "We're a little better athletes than some people think. I like the 40-yard dash because it shows how well the linemen can run."

"Absolutely, it's fun," Minooka coach Bert Kooi said. "And what an awesome opportunity it is here. I know Coach Acton has run this for a long time. We were here about four years ago. It was at the Ditka Dome then -- but haven't been back since. So, this is a great thing for us. We do all the 7-on-7s with our little guys. It gives these big guys a chance to compete against other bodies."

"It just shows you how you compare to other people -- how fast your are and how much gain you've made over the summer in your weight lifting program," Minooka's 6-4, 240-pound Zach Colvin said.

Bolingbrook defensive lineman Brandon Tucker put on a bit of a show in the bench press. He rattled off 27 reps at 185 pounds. Tucker is one of two returning starters on the Raiders' 'D' line. He already is committed to Eastern Illinois.

Romeoville linebacker/running back Cameron Stingily has scholarship offers from Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. He said he's in no hurry to make a final choice.

"I'm going to wait because I want to live the recruiting life and see how that goes," Stingily said. "You only get that chance once in your life. So, I want to get the full affect. I'm getting in shape for the best season of my high school career. This is the first year I've found out what hard work is."

Lemont defensive tackle Pat Driscoll has bulked up to 265 in preparation for his third year starting with the Indians.

"I expect a really good season," he said. "Our defense is returning a lot of guys. I think that's going to be our strong point. On offense, I think that's going to be pretty good, too. We've got Danny Hayes at running back. I think we have the potential to go pretty far again."