By Rex Kirts
Kirk Kennedy's methods are designed to develop toughness, and Zach Bonnell likes it.
After last Friday's win over North, Bonnell will have more company. Those who may not have been sure they enjoyed all those rough practices are probably now convinced of their value.
"The hard practices are a love-hate relationship," said Bonnell, a 6-2, 250-pound senior who has played several positions on the offensive line. "But right when you get done with practice you realize why you
Kirk Kennedy's methods are designed to develop toughness, and Zach Bonnell likes it.
After last Friday's win over North, Bonnell will have more company. Those who may not have been sure they enjoyed all those rough practices are probably now convinced of their value.
"The hard practices are a love-hate relationship," said Bonnell, a 6-2, 250-pound senior who has played several positions on the offensive line. "But right when you get done with practice you realize why you
Zach Bonnell
pushed the sled and do all those up-downs.
"I'm in the best shape of my life, and that showed up against North. You could see they were getting tired." Like other Panthers, Bonnell felt as fresh in the fourth quarter as they did the first.
"He's a really good coach," Bonnell said of the new man calling the shots at South. "He brings a different vibe, a good vibe. He also knows how to pick you up and have fun. And I like his offense, the I."
BONNELL ADDED, "Coach Kennedy gets to the point, which I like. He knows how to get it done and will get it done. I think we're headed in the right direction."
Bonnell islike a utility baseball player who is able to play more than one position. He's played every position on the line except center. Currently, he calls right guard home, with Reilly Flynn at left tackle, David Tiwari left guard and Jacob Brinegar right tackle. Jarred Mason is the center, and Joey Todd and Jacob Canada are tight ends.
The O-line lineup, which has been juggled constantly, led the way to South's first win of the season last week at North. The Panthers rushed for 342 yards a week after gaining only 81 on the ground against Franklin Central.
Playing in the trenches takes special people. It gets a little nasty down there.
"It's pretty rough, and it happens pretty quickly," Bonnell said. "It's a constant fight between two guys to get position and drive off the ball. I like it. I like being up front and like knowing what I do affects the play.
"And the O-line is like brothers. Hogs."
Bonnell has been named a game captain for Friday's Conference Indiana clash at Southport.
"ZACH ALWAYS BRINGS a great attitude to practice," Kennedy said. "He's a fun kid to coach and always gives you all he's got."
When Mo Moriarity coached South he said offensive linemen don't have to be fast in the 40-yard dash. All they need are quick feet. Bonnell said his 40 speed is "really slow, maybe 5.7 or 5.8. I'd like to think I have quick feet." And he pride himself on being versatile enough to play more than one position on the line.
Adjusting to Kennedy's style has taken time, Bonnell admits.
"We're not totally reformed, but it's a new form of blocking," he said. "It's a different approach. We were a zone offense last year." Now it's the more traditional scheme of taking on the man in front of you.
There's a lot more contact in drills now, including what Kennedy calls the nutcracker - a blocker, a defensive lineman, a linebacker and a ball carrier. Bang, bang, bang. Hear the pads pop. Hear the players get excited.
LAST YEAR'S NUTCRACKER drills sounded like two marshmallows colliding in outer space. Now there is noise.
"I love the nutcracker," Bonnell smiled. "It's football down to its purest - just go straight ahead and mess somebody up. I like the energy, too, getting pumped up and getting others pumped up."
The Panthers struggled the first three games and weren't really improving much. While there were mistakes, their effort, and results, against North were obviously better.
"That was amazingly nice," Bonnell said of the victory. "And coming off such a bad game against North last year and the other games this year. It was a really good victory."
Southport is 3-1 after losing to neighborhood rival Perry Meridian last week. It was Perry's first win.
"Southport runs a 4-3 (defense)," Bonnell said. "They're a good team, for sure."
Besides football, Bonnell likes to golf and play rugby. "And I'm pretty close to the family. I like the outdoors a lot."
He intends to study architecture or engineering in college next year but is uncertain where he'll go. He isn't planning on continuing football.
"I'm in the best shape of my life, and that showed up against North. You could see they were getting tired." Like other Panthers, Bonnell felt as fresh in the fourth quarter as they did the first.
"He's a really good coach," Bonnell said of the new man calling the shots at South. "He brings a different vibe, a good vibe. He also knows how to pick you up and have fun. And I like his offense, the I."
BONNELL ADDED, "Coach Kennedy gets to the point, which I like. He knows how to get it done and will get it done. I think we're headed in the right direction."
Bonnell islike a utility baseball player who is able to play more than one position. He's played every position on the line except center. Currently, he calls right guard home, with Reilly Flynn at left tackle, David Tiwari left guard and Jacob Brinegar right tackle. Jarred Mason is the center, and Joey Todd and Jacob Canada are tight ends.
The O-line lineup, which has been juggled constantly, led the way to South's first win of the season last week at North. The Panthers rushed for 342 yards a week after gaining only 81 on the ground against Franklin Central.
Playing in the trenches takes special people. It gets a little nasty down there.
"It's pretty rough, and it happens pretty quickly," Bonnell said. "It's a constant fight between two guys to get position and drive off the ball. I like it. I like being up front and like knowing what I do affects the play.
"And the O-line is like brothers. Hogs."
Bonnell has been named a game captain for Friday's Conference Indiana clash at Southport.
"ZACH ALWAYS BRINGS a great attitude to practice," Kennedy said. "He's a fun kid to coach and always gives you all he's got."
When Mo Moriarity coached South he said offensive linemen don't have to be fast in the 40-yard dash. All they need are quick feet. Bonnell said his 40 speed is "really slow, maybe 5.7 or 5.8. I'd like to think I have quick feet." And he pride himself on being versatile enough to play more than one position on the line.
Adjusting to Kennedy's style has taken time, Bonnell admits.
"We're not totally reformed, but it's a new form of blocking," he said. "It's a different approach. We were a zone offense last year." Now it's the more traditional scheme of taking on the man in front of you.
There's a lot more contact in drills now, including what Kennedy calls the nutcracker - a blocker, a defensive lineman, a linebacker and a ball carrier. Bang, bang, bang. Hear the pads pop. Hear the players get excited.
LAST YEAR'S NUTCRACKER drills sounded like two marshmallows colliding in outer space. Now there is noise.
"I love the nutcracker," Bonnell smiled. "It's football down to its purest - just go straight ahead and mess somebody up. I like the energy, too, getting pumped up and getting others pumped up."
The Panthers struggled the first three games and weren't really improving much. While there were mistakes, their effort, and results, against North were obviously better.
"That was amazingly nice," Bonnell said of the victory. "And coming off such a bad game against North last year and the other games this year. It was a really good victory."
Southport is 3-1 after losing to neighborhood rival Perry Meridian last week. It was Perry's first win.
"Southport runs a 4-3 (defense)," Bonnell said. "They're a good team, for sure."
Besides football, Bonnell likes to golf and play rugby. "And I'm pretty close to the family. I like the outdoors a lot."
He intends to study architecture or engineering in college next year but is uncertain where he'll go. He isn't planning on continuing football.
