Unsung Linemen

Senior linemen Chris Hillemann (64) and Drew Gerhold (79) at work in the regular season finale against Costa Mesa for the Orange Coast league title, which Laguna won 49 to 34. The roar of the crowd at a football game is usually preceded by an outstanding pass, acrobatic catch or electrifying run. Rarely do fans jump out of their seats to cheer a pancake block by one of the big guys in the trenches. And that’s just fine with Laguna Beach High senior linemen Chris Hillemann, Ryan Raffo and Drew Gerhold. These three, along with junior center Taylor Preston and sophomore tackle Ricky Delatorre, know that without their relentless and often overlooked efforts on the offensive line, the fans wouldn’t have much to cheer for.

Having no shortage of crowd pleasers, this year’s Breaker offense features junior quarterback Austin Paxson, who set records for single-game (5), singleseason (24) and career (33) touchdown passes; junior wide receiver Chris Paul, who established new standards for singleseason (18) and career touchdown catches (26); and senior running back Alec Jaffe, who ran for a record 361 yards in one game and amassed 1,415 yards on the season, just 66 yards short of the single-season rushing record of 1,480 yards, a mark put up in 1986 by current head coach Jonathan Todd.

“We definitely take pride in those performances],” said Raffo. “We know that without us, that wouldn’t be able to hap- pen.”

When Jaffe racked up those 361 yards against Calvary Chapel earlier this season, he was quick to credit his linemen, saying at the time, “There were just holes all night that I was able to run through.”

“[Jaffe] understands that he couldn’t get nearly as far if it wasn’t for the offensive line getting a good push or blocking correctly,” said Hillemann.

“They’ve been the best line I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Todd, who is in his third year.

The influence the offensive linemen have had on their team’s run to its first league title under Todd’s watch and only its second in the past 22 years goes far beyond the blocks they throw to ignite Laguna’s record-breaking offense. That’s because, at a small school like Laguna, most players play both ways, meaning Raffo, Hillemann and Gerhold also tee it up on the defensive side of the ball.

A three-year starter on offense, Raffo played center as a sophomore. He’s now in his second year at tackle. But what really gets his motor running is going after opposing quarterbacks from his defensive end position. He finished the season with a league-leading 12 sacks and 17 overall. “That’s a lot of fun,” he said, reflecting on the all the QBs he dropped over the past year.

Raffo credits first year defensive coordinator Jonathan Bowman with turning him into a first rate pass rusher. “I attribute all my technique and all my numbers to him,” said Raffo.

Hillemann, who plays offensive guard and defensive tackle, also finds great satisfaction in getting a sack, because it usually means he has taken on first an offensive lineman and then a fullback. “Once you get to the quarterback, you feel like you’ve accomplished something,” he said.

Second year guard Gerhold also plays defensive tackle but prefers offense. He missed most of his junior season after having knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He was happy to be back on the field with his friends this year and had a solid season on both sides of the ball. “You get to hit somebody,” he said of what draws him to the game. “You can’t do that in any other place. You get in trouble for it.”

Most of the credit for the development of Laguna’s line this season goes to first year offensive line coach Clayton Carron. A 2003 LBHS graduate, Carron just finished his collegiate football career at Southwest Missouri State. “He’s what’s made our line really become a great offensive line unit,” said Raffo, who added, “He’s definitely made our running game a lot better.”

Hillemann agreed, saying Carron also has helped improve their pass blocking. Gerhold credits Caron with helping him with his footwork and learning how to read opposing defenses.

Todd said, “One of the things I’m most impressed with is how the linemen block downfield,” which he attributes to Carron’s efforts inspiring his players to play hard on every down until the whistle blows.

Going full speed between whistles for 48 minutes requires stamina, so conditioning is a big part of the Breakers’ daily routine. “It sucks during practice,” said Raffo, “but when it comes to game time, you’re definitely glad you’ve conditioned hard during the week.”

All that hard work paid off last week when Laguna battered Costa Mesa to capture the Orange Coast league title, exacting a measure of revenge on the team that snatched last year’s title from the Breakers’ grasp with a 21-point fourth quarter in the season’s finale.

“Last year we played a good first half, and the second half our defense didn’t come out,” said Raffo. This year, he said, “We just played all four quarters.”

For all three seniors, winning league was a nice “parting gift,” said Hillemann.

“I was a sophomore when Todd first came,” said Raffo, and it’s been kind of fun watching the whole program develop to where it is today. I know Todd’s just as happy as we are to win this league title.”

Raffo and Hillemann hope to play college ball next year. Raffo has applied to the Air Force, Naval and Merchant Marine academies. Hillemann has applied to several schools and hopes to make it as a walk-on at some place like Georgetown. Gerhold plans to go to college but doesn’t think his surgically-repaired knee will hold up at the next level, so his football career ends at Laguna.

But before they hang up their high school cleats, this trio has at least one more game to play. They will meet Beckman at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 at Guyer Field in the first round of CIF playoffs.