With Park View, Expect Surprises

Trick Plays Fundamental to Program

By Jeff Nelson

Saturday, September 15, 2007

As far as football philosophies go, Park View’s is pretty standard: “We want to make our opponents defend the entire field,” said Patriots Coach Andy Hill.

In terms of executing that philosophy, Park View is mostly spot on.

Be it a left tackle throwing a pass, a 106-yard field goal attempt or a behind-the-back lateral that leads to a pass — all oddities that the Patriots have attempted in their first three games this season — Hill has made his program one of the most entertaining in the area.

“We’re not really fearful of our kids turning it over,” said Hill as he watched some of his team’s wackiest plays on film before Friday’s 34-20 win at home against Handley. “That doesn’t mean they don’t. But if we’re running something goofy or tricky, the last thing we want [Park View players] thinking is, ‘Oh my gosh, don’t drop the ball.’ ”

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Handley at Park View

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During Park View's second play of the game, quarterback No. 10 C.J. Leizear passes behind his back to No. 3 Tommy Sedeski. Sedeski then completes a pass to No. 16 Clayton Parker. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Park View's No. 17 David Revsbeck pulls down Handley's No. 5 Jeremiah Wilson. Park View's No. 20 Marcus Freeman and No. 87 Danny Foley him drive down with 4:37 on clock in the first quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Park View's No. 10 C.J. Leizear finds a hole through Handley's defense during the second quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Park View's No. 9 Eric Johnson pulls away from Handley's No. 6 Andre Ricketts and drives past No. 22 Vance Washington with 4:25 left in the second quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Park View's quarterback No. 10 C.J. Leizear just gets off this pass (which is incomplete) before he is hit by Handley's No. 34 Tevin Newman during the second quarter of Friday's game. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Park View's Coach Andy Hill just before halftime. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Park View students Alley Strickland, 15, and Trevor Scales, 16, cheer for their football team. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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In Friday’s game, the Patriots ran the behind-the-back toss play, used a surprise onside kick and scored a touchdown on a fourth and nine from midfield in the second half of a tight game. These decisions, all unconventional elsewhere, are ordinary at Park View (3-0).

Even when Hill, 29, was playing high school football in Minneapolis for an ultra-conservative coach, he would dream up creative plays.

“He’d wake up in the night and draw up plays,” said his mother, Becky Hill. “He’s always been a cranial player.”

In addition to being inventive, Hill believes in spreading the wealth. This year, seven players have caught a pass, and seven players have had a rush.

“If you feature one kid, that’s no fun,” Hill said. “Why would other kids want to come out for the team?”

The Patriots demonstrated that type of thinking on a play from the 5-yard line in their season opener. Quarterback C.J. Leizear took the snap, handed it to wide receiver Ryan Pick, who turned his back to the defense and pitched it to Edwin Guzman, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound left tackle pulling behind the line on the play.

Guzman, who has shown a strong arm in practice, threw to a teammate in the front corner of the end zone. The pass fluttered and fell incomplete, but it’s the thought that counts.

“I’m surprised that a coach let [an offensive lineman] throw, but knowing him I’m not,” Guzman said. “He’s the mastermind. He’s really crazy with plays, and he’ll do whatever to try to score. I like that.”

The Patriots’ coaching staff estimated that they run up to three unusual plays on offense per game. Beyond that, they have 10 kickoffs in the playbook and a variety of plays out of the punting formation, although they almost never punt. As long as they aren’t inside their own 25, they tend to go for it.

When stopped deep in their territory, the Patriots still try something different once in a while.

In a Week 2 win against Jefferson (W.Va.), Hill sent out the field goal unit to kick from the Patriots’ 4-yard line. His rationale: High school rules dictate that a field goal is a free ball if it lands short, so it’s essentially the same as a punt, and he could catch the other team off-guard.

The play worked as the Patriots watched the kick go over a befuddled return man’s head and celebrated as it rolled all the way to the opposing team’s 18-yard-line.

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks