Rebels bank on experience

Updated: June 24, 2011 12:12PM

The offensive line is home to tackle Cameron Brown. The T.F. South senior has started the past two seasons and knows what to do when he lines up with the defense in his face.

This year the 6-foot, 240-pound Brown is adding a new position to his name: linebacker.

T.F. South participated in the Richards 7-on-7 passing camp Saturday, giving the eager Brown an opportunity to start learning another role.

“It feels like something I could get used to,” Brown said. “The coaches are telling me after every play what I should pick up on, staying balanced, watching the quarterback and receiver. It’s new to me, but I’m starting to get the hang of it.

“It’s going to be something different, but I have the determination and willingness to learn anything.”

Brown used that determination last year to open holes for running back Giovanni Canty, who returns to the backfield after rushing for 800 yards in 2010.

T.F. South finished 9-2 a season ago and Brown is confident the Rebels can be a playoff team again from the South Suburban Blue.

“I believe we’re going to win conference,” Brown said. “We have a great group with us this year. The seniors, we know what it’s going to take to get there. We’ve been there before.”

While Brown was playing defense at the 12-team Richards camp, Canty polished a few of his offensive skills.

“I come out and play my position and do my part,” he said. “I’m working on my catches today.”

It’s working with players such as Brown and Canty that energizes T.F. South coach Tom Padjen, who’s starting his 35th year as coach.

“I just enjoy the challenge of putting things together, seeing the young guys with their enthusiasm,” Padjen said. “We’ve got good kids who work hard and a good staff.”

T.F. South was at the Richards camp for the first time and will be in a similar event at Bolingbrook in July.

“It’s a good quality of competition,” Padjen said of the Richards event. “This is helping us a lot, getting good reps for the young kids. You get to see good skill athletes from other teams. You see a different speed level.”

But with players going without helmets and pads, coaches are careful not to read too much into performances at camp.

“Guys can look great playing touch football all summer,” Padjen said. “Then you put the pads on in the fall and a lot changes. But it really helps you teach your offense and defense.”

T.F. South has six returning starters from the team that took second to conference champion Lemont. Tinley Park, Oak Forest and T.F. North also made the playoffs from the Blue.

“The conference is always strong with Lemont, Oak Forest — Bremen is going to be on the upswing,” Padjen said. “Tinley Park last year had a great season. It’s going to be a very competitive league again.”

Canty hopes to duplicate the Rebels’ success when the season starts Aug. 26.

“We don’t lose much at T.F. South,’’ Canty said. “We want to keep that going.’’

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.