The trenches are not a pleasant place on the football field. There is banging, clutching, clawing, grabbing, grunting, groaning and a whole lot more.
It is the most brutal world to exist in on a football field. It is also where teams can win or lose games.
Hamilton West’s football team won six of its first nine games because its defensive line continually won in the trenches. The Hornets have arguably Mercer County’s top linebacker in Reidgee Dimanche, who deserves all the credit he gets for racking up big numbers on both sides of the ball.
But Dimanche and the rest of Hamilton’s linebackers are free to make plays thanks to linemen who give blockers fits. Juniors Rahmel Turner and Jon Piotroski are the left and right ends, while the cousin tandem of seniors James White and Marlon Peart are the tackles. Sophomore Donovan Yon rotates in, while linebacker Zach Harding doubles as a defensive end.
“Way before the summer camp started the D line was working together,” Turner said. “We would go to back field and work. Once summer camp started coach (Tom) Dolina pushed us and made us work hard, too.”
They all come under the watch of defensive coordinator Gerry Van Slooten, D-line coach Dolina and Ken Nehila.
“We’ve got a wide range of guys up there,” coach Tom Hoglen said. “It’s a good mix, and it’s guys who have fed off each other all year. Coach Dolina has done a great job with them along with coach Ken, and coach Van Slooten has put them in the right places. These guys have really accepted their roles. We learned early on if they rotate and stay fresh we can be a strong defense.”
The front eight also includes Dalton Adams and Ryan Hogan at linebacker. While watching tape with Hoglen one day, Adams remarked to the coach, “Our D-line really allows us to run around.”
After allowing 55 points in its first two losses to Lawrence and West Windsor-Plainsboro South, Hamilton’s defense began to assert itself. Hightstown’s Johnny Andre stunned the Hornets with two long touchdown runs in a 26-17 win. After that, West allowed an average of 10.5 points in its next four wins.
‘We came together, had a pep talk before the game. It got us motivated and we just dominated.’
The Hornets gave up 23 points in a Nov. 5 loss to Nottingham, but held the Northstars powerful rushing attack to just 30 yards, as the defensive line was tenacious.
“We were especially pumped for that game,” Turner said. “That would test our strength and ability. We came together, had a pep talk before the game. It got us motivated and we just dominated.”
Turner, who stands 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, is in his first year as a starter and “has come a long way from start to finish,” according to Hoglen. He is quick off the ball, provides a good back rush and is relentless in the pass rush.
On the opposite side, the 6-1, 205-pound Piotroski, also a first-year starter, missed the season’s first two games with a shoulder injury. Since returning he has progressed each game and, in a South Jersey Group III quarterfinal playoff win over Lakewood, got the angle on a Piners ball carrier and made an outstanding tackle to prevent a big gain.
The tackles both saw substantial varsity time last year and made further strides this season.
White (6-1, 250) is considered unblockable by his coaches, and it was his work ethic and the extra time he put in with Dolina over the summer that set the tone. As the players saw White improve, they followed his lead on the field and in the film room. As for his cousin, Peart (6-0, 240) is the guy whose motor is always running as he provides intensity on the line.
At 6-3, 240, Yon is the youngest and largest guy up front, and is being brought along by the veterans. His ability to play at a high level as a sophomore has helped keep everyone fresh.
“He’s just a big pup up there,” Van Slooten said. “He’s got a little fire in him to prove he can be there with the old guys.”
Harding has provided flexibility for Van Slooten to play with.
“He gives us some versatility,” the coordinator said. “If teams are running a lot of different things, going from one front to another we can move him around. And (offensive lineman) Scott Dunscomb actually played a lot against Nottingham and got an interception on his third play on the defensive line.”
The D-line’s leader also provided inspiration, showing that health issues were not going to stop him. Dolina put gall bladder surgery on hold for three weeks until he could put it off no longer. He had it done the week of the SJ III playoff semifinal game with Wall on Nov. 18. While preparing for surgery, Dolina sent his linemen information on the strengths and weaknesses of Wall’s offensive lineman.
“That’s dedication,” Hoglen said.
The line has not just occupied blockers and stuffed running games. It has also gotten to quarterback as all four starters have between six and eight sacks. The Hornets had over 40 heading into the Wall game, smashing the season-record of 27.
“Our pass rush is especially good,” Turner said. “All four of us are quick off the ball. I don’t think any O-line has seen anyone with the quickness off the ball that we have. We just get it done.”
“They really take pride in everything,” Hoglen said. “The whole defense supports each other and plays with so much energy. I’ve never had a group of kids who are so into the game.”
In looking at his front four, Van Slooten feels they work well as a unit but have different personalities.
“Rahmel is the joker,” he said. “Marlon is the story teller. Jon’s a little more serious, but he can be goofy at sometimes. Donovan is young, he’s kind of quiet now.”
And then there’s White.
“I don’t even know how to explain James,” Van Slooten said with a laugh. “I just know everyone around here loves that kid. Teachers who don’t even have him in class are like ‘What’s James doing next year?’ I don’t know how they even know him. He always has a smile on his face, you’d never know he’s such an intense kid.”
Van Slooten feels a turn-around occurred after the season’s third game, when West Windsor-Plainsboro South took a 29-28 win to snap a 12-game losing streak.
“They all took a look at themselves, and they came to practice on Monday expecting a tough practice,” he said. “The kids were super positive, and after that they’ve been working their tails off. Our Ewing win they started playing with a lot of confidence.”
And with the Thanksgiving game still left against Steinert at press time, Turner felt the best was yet to come.
“I don’t think we’ve played to our full potential yet,” he said prior to the Wall game. “It’s gonna be a scary sight when we do. We want people to fear us. We want to bring that fire back to Hamilton West. I think we’ve come a long way, especially this year.”
James White (44), Donovan Yon (37) and Rahmel Turner (99) are key parts of a Hamilton West football defensive line that has been crucial to the Hornets’ success this season. (Photo by Donna Brihn.),
