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Eric Hochalter versus Reuben Jones

Posted by Dirk Knudsen at Sep 2, 2006 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
See two future College Players go at it Derby camp Style in 2006 @ West Salem High!!
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West Salem versus Marist

Posted by Dirk Knudsen at Sep 2, 2006 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
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Eric versus Reuben

Posted by Dirk Knudsen at Sep 2, 2006 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
Derby's O-line camp stresses fundamentals Friday, July 28, 2006 By Steve Poehler The Hillsboro Argus The Argus Offensive linemen never get the big headlines. They don't score the glitzy touchdowns, they don't make the game-changing interceptions, they don't kick the winning field goals and they certainly don't show up on any box score. But they might have the most important job in sports: protect the quarterback. They also happen to block and open holes for running backs. So as the Brian Derby Offensive Linemen Camp sets to wrap up its final day Friday, the former University of Hawaii player knows what it's like to be a lineman. "There's nothing out there for us," said Derby, the founder and head instructor of the camp that bears his name. "You know, we're like the step (children). It's always been (that way)." Now in its second year in Oregon, the Derby Camp has attracted about 80 linemen, including some of the state's top recruits in Oregon-bound Myles Wade and Oregon State-bound Kevin Frahm - seniors-to-be at Central Catholic and the two lone defensive linemen in camp. Held this week, the camp for ages 8 to 22 has been split into three sessions - two at Five Oaks Middle School in Beaverton during the day and one in the evening at West Salem High School. "We take them from nothing and kind of groom them into what we think a perfect offensive lineman should be," said Derby, who is joined by a staff from Hawaii as well as local coaches Doug Hire (Linfield College) and Tim Bowman (Western Oregon) - none of whom receive compensation for the camp. "That's what it's all about." Camp participants don't wear pads. There's no hitting, no heavy contact. Instead, Derby stresses line-specific drills to help develop sound technique and explosive speed coming off the snap. It's all about proper footwork and balance. In fact, Velocity Sports in Hillsboro has sent some of its staff and equipment - including cones, ladders, medicine balls, agility ladders and even parachutes - to help lead a series of speed, agility and quickness exercises. "We basically try to get them faster, stronger, more agile," Justin Branco, active recruiter for Velocity. "With any sport, it's a game of inches, a game of split seconds. So if they can transfer their weight correctly, sometimes that means the difference between, in this case, picking up a block or someone getting around them." The Monday and Tuesday sessions focused on run blocking with pass protection taking up the rest of the week. Nike is scheduled to visit the camp Friday morning to run its own session for a few hours. Then later in the day, campers will put what they've learned into practice by battling each other in one-on-one drills. "The individual time helps you focus on how to get better, what to do right," said Brad Streater, a senior-to-be at Hilhi and one of about 15-20 players in camp from Hillsboro, Westview, Glencoe and Gaston high schools. Fellow Spartan lineman Abe Vasquez said he saw the improvement last fall after participating in Derby's Oregon camp last summer. "It's a great experience," said Vasquez, who will also be a senior. "It makes you better." Athletes from as far away as Hawaii and even New Zealand have made the trek to Oregon for Derby's camp, which doesn't focus on football skills alone. "What we try to teach them is love for the game, the passion, the discipline, the respect," Derby said, "not only in the game but outside in your classroom, in your household, with your family, with your teachers, with your coaches. Just the basic, ABCs of life, man." Readers can reach Steve Poehler by phone at 503-648-1131 or by e-mail at poehler@hillsboroargus.com. ©2006 The Hillsboro Argus