By Tom Rohrer
To the day to day football fan, the game is won or lost by the skill players who scamper and juke their way across the goal line for a rushing touchdown or throw a perfect pass into the end zone for six points.
However, those who follow the sport closely know that the game is usually won by the team who best controls and dictates play, along the defensive and offensive lines.
For the Timberline High School football team, now 6-1 with a 4-0 record in the 3A Narrows League, much of their success stems from the strong play of senior defensive lineman Stone Hart and Dayne Haddon.
With only an early season loss to Tumwater on the year, the Blazers face likely their greatest remaining test of the regular season this Friday against North Thurston (6-1, 4-0) at 7 p.m. at South Sound Stadium in Lacey.
Listed at 6’3, 252 lbs., and 6’4, 225 lbs., respectively, Hart and Haddon have been wreaking havoc on opposing offenses all season long, combining for 64 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and three forced fumbles through seven games.
Timberline head football coach Nick Mullen says having two dynamic athletes on the line is new to him and the program, and that their presence alone allows other Timberline defensive players, such as senior linebacker Brandon Wetzel (67 tackles, 3 interceptions) and defensive back Asan Neil ( 27 tackles, 2 tackles for loss) to make plays.
“Well it’s pretty helpful knowing that Stone is always going to get doubled, almost all the time,” Mullen said. “So it leaves Dayne one on one on the backside. Stone is having a great year and a lot of teams are respecting him this year.”
“Not two of them,” Mullen said when asked if he’s ever had a better one-two punch on the defensive line. “I’ve had one but not two.”
Hart and Haddon understand that their respective individual play is beneficial for the other, and the rest of the team, even if sometimes the two feel the need to compete with the other.
“I know that Stone is going to be able to take on his side,” Haddon said. “It’s good to have that reliable source.”
“It’s nice having someone on the other side that you know is good,” Hart said. “And in a way, we kind of compete with each other. Sometimes I feel like I’m not even playing another team, I’m playing him. We kind of motivate each other to do better….we kind of work off each other plus he’s a really good player.”
While Hart is specifically a defensive standout (9 solo sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 1 touchdown return) Haddon is the only two-way player on the Blazer roster, requiring him to stay on the field for nearly every snap. It’s a difficult challenge that Haddon accepts with simplicity.
“I just got to switch sides I guess,” said Haddon, who has 29 tackles, and three tackles for loss and sacks each. “I’ve got to turn the switch to be able to play both offense and defense.”
“Dayne is the only one who goes both ways,” Mullen said. “He hardly ever comes off the field. So it just shows he’s the best one at both spots and we need him on the field.”
Hart was able to put together a solid season statistically in 2011, but both coach and player recognize a change to his game this season. That change could be traced back to Hart’s state championship victory in the 220 lbs. weight class at the 3A state championship last spring.
“He’s kind of come out of the shadows a little bit from last year,” Mullen said. “He’s always been good but this year he’s totally taken off. I think it’s a little more maturity. I think winning the state wrestling title kind of made him, it made him really want to be successful and he’s doing a good job.”
“When you win something like that, people are going to look at you differently,” Hart said. “And they expect you to perform at a higher level so you kind of have to.”
Both Haddon and Hart recognize their importance in the development of Timberline’s younger players. By putting for the effort and work in the weight room, the two have laid a blue print on what it takes to be successful high school players.
“I feel like if you just do what you’re supposed to do, your teammates will notice that,” Hart said. “You won’t really have to say anything.”
“They both work hard in the weight room, they both play hard on the field. They both go hard at practice,” Mullen said. “It’s not even them saying anything.”
All that hard work and dedication will be needed for the Blazers to take down the Rams in a game that will likely decide the league championship.
“It’s just a big competition,” Haddon said. “You just want to beat the school across from you. It’s pretty hectic – lots of fans, people. (It’s)Loud (and) it just gets rowdy.”
Kickoff for the Blazers match-up against the Rams will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at South Sound Stadium. Tune in to ROXY radio throughout the week and during the game for full coverage.
