Brandon Carr Credits His Head Coach with Motivating Him
There is no glory in playing a position on the offensive line in football. Western Branch senior Brandon Carr knew this when he started playing right guard on the line for the Bruins a few years ago.
Members of the offensive line rarely even gets to touch the ball, let alone score a touchdown and have their individual names called out over the stadium P.A. system.
They are instead responsible for protecting their quarterback and giving him the time to get the ball into the hands of the open receiver. They are responsible for opening up lanes wide enough to drive a truck through for their running back. When they are successful, they aren't even noticed. When they fail, all eyes are on them.
The offensive line works the trenches. They spend every single offensive play of every single game getting hit by big, bruising defensive players. They have to pick up blitzes; they have to be mindful of defensive stunts and traps all while having to know their own blocking formations. All of this and zero recognition.
Brandon Carr wouldn't have it any other way.
Carr, 17, had other family members that made names for themselves as running backs but he always knew he wanted to be on the line. "I love playing offensive line," the 6'2'', 260 lbs. Carr says, "I'm the one in there working my butt off so that this (running) back can get his yards."
Western Branch Head Coach Lew Johnston appreciates the work ethic and leadership that Carr brings to the team. "He is a leader and the kids respect him," Coach Johnston says, "He keeps everyone focused."
When the Bruins have the ball, they run their own version of the Delaware Wing-T and in that offense, Johnston notes that Carr's position at right guard is a pivotal one to the success of the play. "[Carr] has to pull, trap and lead on many of our key plays," Johnston says, "He is aggressive but agile; he has great feet and packs a punch when he hits you."
Along with his brother Tristan, Carr credits his head coach with consistently motivating him and helping him develop into the player he has become. The entire Western Branch community was shocked and surprised when Coach Johnston announce in August that after 22 years of coaching, the 2006 season would be his last.
Carr's emotions were no different.
"It hurts for a lot of us," Carr says, "I got moved up (to the varsity team) my freshman year and I spent a lot of time in the weight room with [Coach Johnston] and he helped me get my plays down. He's been like a football father to me."
Sending his coach out in style won't be the only motivating factor for Carr and his Bruin teammates this season though. After spending many years as a perennial favorite in the Southeastern District, Western Branch suddenly finds themselves as underdogs to rival Oscar Smith, an emerging powerhouse in the South Hampton Roads area.
"That drives us," Carr says of the recent amount of publicity Oscar Smith has received. "We were at the top and we had a few (down) seasons so we have a drive to get back on top." And while some local programs would have a hard time qualifying the Bruins' 2005 record of 7-3 as a "down season", football standards have always been high at Western Branch.
Beyond the outcome of the season, Carr is already thinking about playing football on Saturdays somewhere next year. His coach has been impressed with Carr's dedication to the weight room during the off season and his ability to shed 50 lbs. which has increased his endurance and explosiveness. "He has matured tremendously," Johnston says, "He is focused and showing everyone that he wants his shot at playing college football."
"Football is similar to the real world," Carr says showcasing some of that maturity. "Things you go through, like leadership and teamwork will help in the business world and in life."
It's almost like Brandon Carr sees his time in the trenches as a test run for his life after football. It would appear that he's off to a good start.
