Yoe seniors look to right the ship in Rockdale series

Cameron has a rich tradition in football. Part of that tradition has been to dominate the Rockdale Tigers. The last two years, when have seen a shift in momentum as the Tigers have had their way in those games. That has not sit well with anyone, in particular the senior class of 2019. One positive for this crop of 20 seniors is that they have one more chance to take down Rockdale and get a new paint job on the bell. The Cameron Herald had the opportunity to sit down with five of those seniors this week to discuss this game, what is going right this season and what can be accomplished the remainder of the year.

Anthony Layne is a senior that has played defensive back, quarterback and receiver for this year’s team. He has been injured the last few games, but is expected to return to the lineup this Friday night.

Caleb Hubnik is one of the top leaders on the offense and is one of four senior offensive lineman on this year’s roster. Hubnik has been on the varsity line for three years now.

Anthony Steamer leads all defensive lineman in tackles at 47. In addition, he has 9 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hurries and a team-leading 3 sacks.

Ulices Cardona is second on the team in tackles with 50 on the year. He also kicks for the Yoemen and is averaging 46.6 yards per punt, and has connected on 22 of 24 extra point attempts.

Kadrian Hammond is tied for the team lead in receptions at 24 and leads all receivers in yards (585) and touchdowns (7). In his six games played, Hammond averages 97.5 yards receiving.

What does is mean to play in this game?

Layne: To me, it means a lot. We have lost two years in a row and we are going to try and bring the bell back this year. We have been practicing really hard.

Hubnik: I had been on varsity two years now we have lost both years. This is my final year to get redemption on Rockdale, so it means the world to me.

Steamer: It’s means the world to me. I have never got the chance to play a varsity game like this. I think it will be a good game. Rockdale has some stars, but we have some stars over here.

Cardona: It means a lot, especially with us not winning the last couple of years. Bringing the bell back home is going to mean a lot to us. We are going to try and get it done this Friday.

How important is it not only to win this game, but also capture that district championship and head to the playoffs as the number one seed?
Layne: It’s very important because we don’t want to end up like last year going forth into the playoffs. We want to be number one where we get a good spot and cruise all the way to state.

Hubnik: I think we all have the same goal of winning the district championship and going into the playoffs undefeated in district.

Hammond: If we can get that number one seed, I think we could have a good chance to get to state. I think we have the best team.

What has been a main component in the turnaround this season?

Layne: We have more leadership on the team this year. Last year, no one wanted to listen, but this year everyone wants to listen and we are doing things well as a team.

Steamer: We have great leadership on this team. We communicate better on the defense compared to last year and we are not negative. We have each others backs.

What would it mean to have the bell back in Maroon and Gray?

Layne: To have the bell back would mean so much to me, the team and the community. Once we get it back, we would be able to ring it.

Hubnik: It would mean a lot to me, my family, community, coaches, fellow friends and teammates. It would be just an overall great achievement for us.

Hammond: I told the team if we win we are going to run to the bell and start ringing it. We are going to go around town and ring it.

Why has this offensive line improved so much this season?

Hubnik: From this year compared to last year we have definitely all got stronger. Coach Z has changed the offense a little bit and made it a little more simpler and easier for us bigger guys to get around and get a push on people.

Talk about the improvement we have seen in special teams this season.

Cardona: We have been doing pretty good, especially with Coach Evan coming back and him being a former kicker. Being able to work with him has been great and he has been teaching me the basics.

Linebackers are a strength for this team. Talk about that group.

Cardona: We got really close over the summer in the weight room. We have been able to communicate a lot more to get the defense right. It’s a good group of guys.

What makes this offense and receivers click the way they have this year?

Hammond: We have leadership this year. It all got started by the o-line blocking and our quarterback. At receiver we have Kobe Young, James DeBose, Deonte Williams and Anthony Layne, and we feel like we have pretty good receivers.