Friday, November 13, 2009
Radford's Oliver paces himself on offense, defense
MATT GENTRY The Roanoke Times
Radford High School's Josh Oliver, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior, is one of the top defensive tackles around. "He's a good football player," Radford coach Matthew Saunders says. "Every coach I've talked to and every one we've played says, 'Where's that kid going [to college]?' "
Ray Cox covers recreational, high school and college sports in the New River Valley. If you have information you’d like featured,
e-mail ray.cox@roanoke.com or call 381-1672
Ray Cox
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In most instances, the inclination of people standing in the path of a large and dangerous body approaching at full speed is to get the heck out of the way.
This applies to pedestrians using a railroad trestle to cross a big river.
The same can be said for an unhorsed cowboy soon after a spooked herd takes a notion to stampede.
Those who stroll across urban freeways during rush hour are familiar with similar the issues.
On the other hand, football players on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage don't have the option of running for cover when a bruiser from the other team zeroes in for a pancake block or a beefy fullback who has just reached his highest gear, mayhem in his heart, comes thundering near.
For defensive linemen such as Radford High School's Josh Oliver, there isn't another option. Beat the blocker, tackle the ballcarrier, pile up the bodies; it is the only correct approach.
Oliver approaches these tasks with zest.
That's why the 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior is one of the top defensive tackles around. His play is a key contributing factor to the Three Rivers District champion's season.
"He's a good football player," Radford coach Matthew Saunders said. "Every coach I've talked to and every one we've played says 'Where's that kid going?' "
As in, going to college. For right now, mark it down as destination undetermined.
"I'm trying to spread the word," Saunders said.
Right now, Oliver is going where the rest of his Bobcats teammates are going, back to the VHSL Group A Division 2 Region C playoffs.
That means a rematch 7:30 p.m. Saturday with visiting Giles, the same district archrival Radford beat 23-19 last week to clinch the undisputed district title.
Other New River Valley teams taking the postseason field include Christiansburg, which entertains Bassett in AA Division 4 Region IV; and Narrows, which goes to Bath County. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. in both cases. Eastern Montgomery in Division 1 has an opening round bye.
The first Radford-Giles game was a doozy of dustup, and Oliver was right in the thick of it going both ways on defensive as well as offensive lines.
With massive linemen Greg Ray and Justin Farmer at the point of attack, the Spartans rushed for 280 yards, 128 of that coming from big boy fullback Justin Gautier. No question, there was a load coming at the Radford defense on every play. Yet Oliver and associates stuffed Giles when it counted, holding the Spartans scoreless over the last 11:05.
As usual, Oliver faced a double team most of the evening. He's expecting more of the same Saturday.
"My job will be to take on the double team, block up the hole, and try not to let them gain any big yards," he said.
That's a night's work.
"I'm pretty tired when it's over," he said.
In Oliver's case, it really isn't over until it's over. Soon as he busts through the latest double-team, he has to trot right back out and play offensive tackle.
"You just have to pace yourself," he said.
This is the first season that Oliver has started on both offense and defense. He likes to play defense better. He also likes to be a team player, so he does what the coach says.
Oliver expected the increased duties so he made a point of doing some extra conditioning during the offseason.
"I knew it was going to be tough," he said.
Oliver has a rare lineman's combination of size and quickness and speed.
In the Glenvar victory, for example, Oliver made a game-saving tackle on a long punt return. The big guy ran down the speedster returner to make the play.
"He's a strong, fast kid," Saunders said of Oliver. "He doesn't know his own strength."
By now, the opposition certainly does.
