HOLLISTER
– Phil Leonard, who will be a three-year starter at tackle for
San Benito High, has a new attitude this year. Just ask Haybaler
offensive coordinator Rick Dukes.
HOLLISTER – Phil Leonard, who will be a three-year starter at tackle for San Benito High, has a new attitude this year. Just ask Haybaler offensive coordinator Rick Dukes.
“Phil grew up a lot last year,” said Dukes. “After he started as a sophomore I think he had a letdown year as a junior. This year, his attitude has totally changed. He doesn’t take any plays off in practice. He wants to kick people’s (tail) every play.”
“We’re expecting big things from Phil this year,” said Baler head football coach Chris Cameron. “He worked hard in the offseason. He’s also dropped about 15-20 pounds and that will help his mobility.”
Leonard, at 6-feet, 250 pounds, wasn’t anyone’s fodder last season, making Second Team Tri-County Athletic League. It’s just that the Baler coaching staff knows what Leonard is capable of accomplishing out on the field and it expects a great deal of him.
This year, Leonard is aware that his job is also to lead. He is a prime candidate to be elected one of the four captains, which will be determined the week of the season-opening game with Valley Christian.
“That would be an honor to be a captain,” said Leonard. “It’s tough because so many players want to lead.”
“Phil is a team leader,” said Baler left guard Ty Doty. “He leads by setting an example. Players look up to him.”
Disappointing season
Leonard said 2002, where the Balers went 4-5-1 and didn’t qualify for the playoffs, was disappointing.
“We had a couple of knuckleheads on the team last year,” said Leonard. “Some of the guys weren’t focusing. This year, we’re going all out to make the playoffs.”
Leonard is very happy with the Balers’ schedule this year.
“It’s favorable for us,” he said. “We play in the pit at Salinas. I love playing there. It’s kind of like Arena Football. Then we play Gilroy here and Palma here. Palma’s homecoming.”
Leonard will be blocking for a new quarterback in sophomore Karson Klauer, and, perhaps, junior Jeff Hawks.
“It’s still hard to tell on how Karson will do,” said Leonard. “But, he wants to learn and he has heart.”
The college game
Leonard wants to play at the collegiate level. It will probably be Division II or Division III, depending on how his season goes.
“I’m getting a couple of letters,” he said. “I like college football better than pro football. With college, it’s not about the money, it’s about pride.”
Leonard knows what he has to do to improve his own game.
“It’s the little things, like technique,” he said. “Run blocking is harder than pass blocking. I need to be more quick, more agile.”
The past two seasons has brought some crunching blocks out of Leonard and he enjoys that part of the game.
“Some people think blocking is like Sumo wrestling,” said Leonard. “There is a lot more ‘kill aspect’ to it. I enjoy pancaking someone. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.”
Leonard said one of his best games came his sophomore season when the Balers crushed Piedmont Hills in the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs.
“I had a lot of energy that game,” said Leonard. “It was exciting.”
The Balers hope Leonard can lead an the O-line back into the playoffs. He might just be one of the Balers’ captains, too, for, as a three-year starter, he’s already one of their leaders.
