Quickness the key on the defensive line for 186-pound Hogue

By Rex Kirts

All his football-playing life Cameron Hogue has been a defensive lineman.
Somewhere along the line it seems sensible that someone would have mentioned he's a might small for the position. Would have barked at him and told him to get over with the running backs or wide receivers or defensive backs and play with guys his own size.
No matter what was said, Hogue wound up in the defensive line.
And, after overcoming academic trouble last year, he earned a starting job on the South D-line as a senior this year. He started the season at tackle but was moved to end after a few games.
Hogue is 5-6 and 186 pounds. He lines up next to Joey Todd, who weighs only 185 pounds. Few class 5A schools, maybe none, have to line up with half their D-line that small.
Obviously, Hogue must be quick and have some strength to survive and be effective.
"I REALLY TRY to use my speed," Hogue said. "I'm pretty fast for a defensive lineman."
Coach Kirk Kennedy said Hogue is a high-energy guy who gives the team his best effort.
"He has a lot of enthusiasm," Kennedy said. "He's an undersized guy who with his attitude and effort makes a lot of plays for us."
Lack of size can be compensated for. It's a fact offensive linemen always say the guys they don't want to go against are the quick ones.
"As long as you are quick and when you are fundamental you can get by," Kennedy said. "It's being smart. You have to stay low and use your quickness to get off blocks and get to the football."
A cousin to recent Panther running backs Stefan and Jordan Hogue, Cameron said he will sometimes get handled. "But I try to stay perfect with my techniques that will help me get past the offensive linemen."
HE'S HAD PLENTY of opportunities to perfect those techniques. "I've always played the defensive line," he said. "It's been my only position."
When Kennedy was hired in April he had a meeting in the auditorium for anyone who wanted to come out for football. A lot attended the meeting but didn't come forth when the equipment was passed out.
"I decided to come out when we had that first meeting," Hogue said. "I thought we'd have a pretty good chance with him coaching.
"He's a good coach - I like him. He keeps us disciplined, works us hard. It's paying off - I think we're getting better."
The Panthers are 2-6 heading into Friday night's regular season finale at Perry Meridian.They have gotten better and last week knocked off a good Columbus North ball club for their first home field win in two years.
After high school hogue is thinking of attending Ivy Tech but isn't certain what he'll study. "I'm not sure. Maybe construction," he said.