Brothers in the trenches

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Offensive line provides spark for Naugy’s firepower

Naugatuck offensive linemen, from left, Aaron Yourison, William Chockey, Will Paul, Jack Reardon, David Kloc, Logan Bond and Ben Rossi are the unsung heroes in Naugatuck’s explosive offense. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck offensive linemen, from left, Aaron Yourison, William Chockey, Will Paul, Jack Reardon, David Kloc, Logan Bond and Ben Rossi are the unsung heroes in Naugatuck’s explosive offense. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Editor’s note: This article appears in the special Thanksgiving football section. It has been updated to include statistics through games played Nov. 21.

The 2014 Naugatuck Greyhounds are setting the Naugatuck Valley League on fire with an offense that is putting up 51 points per game.

Ask Naugatuck head coach Craig Bruno who starts the fires and his response will be quick.

“It all starts and finishes with the guys on the line,” Naugatuck head coach Craig Bruno says. “They never get a lot of credit, but we value them very highly and we wouldn’t be as successful without them. These are tough kids and they put us in a position to win games.”

Senior captain Jack Reardon, who has been the starting center since his sophomore year, is the most vocal of the linemen and the spokesman for this elite group that goes seven deep.

Seniors Will “Tank” Paul and David “Ox” Kloc line up on either side of Reardon building an impenetrable wall. Senior Aaron Yourison and junior captain Logan Bond provide the resilience and the experience that create a solid foundation that a team can stand on. Junior William Chockey and sophomore Ben Rossi bring about a fire and enthusiasm that can’t be quenched.

“It’s a brotherhood,” Reardon says. “It’s huge, we are family and we all love one another. You go out and do what ever we can for the guy next to you. That’s what it’s all about.”

That bond begins to form under the brutal hot sun of the dog days of August. These behemoths of young men crash into one another for the sole right to protect their team against all comers.

“It’s amazing to watch the transformation take place,” Reardon says. “This is my third year and it all starts with those practices in August working so hard and running until you drop. You form a bond with these guys and you have each other’s back. Then the season starts and you see (quarterback) Jason (Bradley) do the things he does in the pocket and you realize he’s got our backs as well as we have his.”

The Naugatuck offense has been clicking on all cylinders this season and it all starts up front. But the guys in the trenches realize they are surrounded by a group of very talented football players.

When asked how big of a hole running back Antoine Sistrunk needs to gain positive yardage Reardon chuckles.

“He don’t need a hole,” Reardon says. “He is an amazing football player and maybe he doesn’t have the speed or size as other running backs but he has one thing they don’t have — field vision. He sees the field real well and can reverse his course to pick up the most yards possible. He makes us look good.”

There has been an awful lot of hard work and dedication to put together such an effective unit at the line of scrimmage and the group is filled with guys willing to go the extra mile.

Naugatuck offensive linemen Aaron Yourison celebrates after a touchdown versus Torrington Sept. 12. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck offensive linemen Aaron Yourison celebrates after a touchdown versus Torrington Sept. 12. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

The Naugatuck defense has been an important part of the final stretch of this season.

Senior Socrates Ilunga, junior Paul Cavagnoulo and Paul have provided a persistent rush at the line of scrimmage allowing P.J. Murphy, Kevin Robinson and Yourison to make the tackles.

The battle in the trenches is usually where games are won or lost, but those statistics almost never see the light of day. While they may not get the recognition they deserve in the stat sheet, the brothers on the line consider it an honor to do the duty.

“I consider it an honor to be playing on the line with these guys and representing our school,” Bond says. “It’s all about brotherhood and playing for the guy next to you. We knew going into that game in Derby that if we wanted a playoff spot we needed to go the extra mile.

“Jason has our back and Antoine always finds a way to get positive yardage. But it all starts at the point of attack. We know Ansonia will be a tough opponent but if we play to the best of our ability we can be successful.”