O-line leads way in 24-point win

Updated: August 30, 2011 7:00PM

All Wayne Didier could think about was The Hill. 

Vernon Hills had just allowed 18 unanswered points. The Cougars were losing to visiting Dunbar 18-16 late in the first half of the 2011 football opener on Friday.

First game of the season, their resolve tested. How would they respond?

All summer long, Didier and his offensive line mates — Drake Randall, Tim Claussen, Chris Lannan and Jeremy Brazil — engaged in killer workouts, which included runs up a big hill near Big Bear Lake in Vernon Hills. 

The Cougars’ big men did side shuffles and backpedals until their legs burned in the grueling summer heat. It wasn’t long before they had to put that hard work to use. 

“They were awful, just horrible,” said the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Didier of the workouts. “I figured if I can get through those, I can get through this.”

And the VH line did — opening up huge holes for the running backs, as the Cougars reeled off 21 unanswered points en route to a 58-34 victory over Dunbar. 

Those Navy Seal-style workouts came in especially handy for Didier, who played every snap. The burly senior doubles up on the Cougars’ defensive line, providing much-needed quickness on the right and left sides.

But it is on offense where Didier and the Cougars will need to assert themselves this season. Running a triple-option scheme, offensive lineman must be able to read defenses — and enjoy shoving defensive lineman to the ground.

“It’s more fun to run-block — just to push (guys) back, pancake them and show who’s boss,” Didier said.

Didier hopes to do the same at the next level. He’s in contact with Northern Illinois University and a few other colleges. But first, he and the Cougars must face the rest of a challenging schedule. After conquering The Hill, there’s likely nothing they can’t handle.

“We know if we are there for each other (on The Hill), we’ll be there during the game,” Didier said. 

Runnin’ wide: Running was the name of the game for the Cougars, who finished with 519 total rushing yards on 58 carries. The ability to spread the ball around to several running backs — seven had four or more carries — kept players fresh, and Dunbar off balance.

“We don’t have that many guys,” said Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken, who dressed 42 players for the opener. “We had some guys cramp up, and others stepped up and filled their roles.”

Dunbar is one of the better Chicago Public League teams. The Cougars knew they would have their hands full with quarterback Darvell Harris, who ran for 129 yards and scored from 68 yards out on a fake punt.

“We knew, coming in, they play in a top (division) in the city and they are a well-coached team,” said Monken. “We knew we’d have a hard time containing their speed. How can you have a better first game? We get a win, and with plenty of things to work on.”

Stats: Offensive leaders included senior Jarrett Wood, who led the Cougars with 173 yards on seven carries. He scored three touchdowns as well. Dylan McNamara rushed for two touchdowns, finishing with 86 running yards on 19 carries. Sam Maloof rushed four times for 81 yards. Quarterback Steve Nelson added 42 yards on the ground and was 3-for-4 passing (58 yards).

Among the defensive leaders were senior linebacker Austin Hagen, who led the team with eight tackles, including a tackle-for-loss. He also had a sack.

Up next: The Cougars look to make it two in a row when they host St. Francis on Friday.

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