Spring Break
Meet the Leathernecks offensive/defensive linemen
Joe Lanane
Issue date: 8/30/04 Section: Sports
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Entering the 2004 football season, Western Illinois University had an array of concerns regarding many key positions on the field. One set of positions coach Don Patterson and company had little to worry about was the linemen.
"You know exactly what you're going to get with these guys," Patterson said.
Both offensively and defensively, the Leatherneck blockers and stoppers return a cast of starters and role players from a season ago who will be expected to lead the Western interior.
Offensive co-captain and senior lineman Fred Layne will lead a cast that features three returning starters. Layne recently had his name added to that list of highly touted linemen, having I-AA.org and The Sports Network announce him as one of their choices as a Preseason All-American.
Layne will take on left guard duties while sophomore offensive lineman Chad Walker will assume the left tackle position. Patterson said Walker has made a smooth transition to the left side after starting nine games at right tackle last season.
With Layne and Walker combining as arguably one of the strongest left sides in the conference, senior Perry Cox solidifies the middle as the starting center, despite starting at both guard and tackle last year.
To Cox's right, senior Rino Sangro and sophomore Frank Valle are expected to battle for the guard spot. Sangro holds the advantage in experience as he recently transferred to Western from the University of Illinois.
There has been similar competition at the right tackle position between red-shirt freshman Ryan Spears and sophomore Brett Tobin. Tobin experienced limited action last season while Spears is expected to make an impact immediately in his first season on the field.
"Barring injury, I think the five starters will certainly come from those seven players," Patterson said.
While there is only one official returning starter on the defensive line, Patterson said there is still plenty of talent from a season ago.
"You know exactly what you're going to get with these guys," Patterson said.
Both offensively and defensively, the Leatherneck blockers and stoppers return a cast of starters and role players from a season ago who will be expected to lead the Western interior.
Offensive co-captain and senior lineman Fred Layne will lead a cast that features three returning starters. Layne recently had his name added to that list of highly touted linemen, having I-AA.org and The Sports Network announce him as one of their choices as a Preseason All-American.
Layne will take on left guard duties while sophomore offensive lineman Chad Walker will assume the left tackle position. Patterson said Walker has made a smooth transition to the left side after starting nine games at right tackle last season.
With Layne and Walker combining as arguably one of the strongest left sides in the conference, senior Perry Cox solidifies the middle as the starting center, despite starting at both guard and tackle last year.
To Cox's right, senior Rino Sangro and sophomore Frank Valle are expected to battle for the guard spot. Sangro holds the advantage in experience as he recently transferred to Western from the University of Illinois.
There has been similar competition at the right tackle position between red-shirt freshman Ryan Spears and sophomore Brett Tobin. Tobin experienced limited action last season while Spears is expected to make an impact immediately in his first season on the field.
"Barring injury, I think the five starters will certainly come from those seven players," Patterson said.
While there is only one official returning starter on the defensive line, Patterson said there is still plenty of talent from a season ago.
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