Different Styles a Complement to Big Returns

Thomas Lopez recognizes his two kick returners have different styles.

The Lincoln-Sudbury head football coach believes these styles complement each other perfectly.

"(Marc) Pace is what you call a north-to-south runner, because he never runs east or west," said Lopez. "(Brian) Carroll is more of a dancer or a field guy. He will give you a leg, then take it away."

Pace, a senior, and Carroll, a sophomore, are both first-time returners on the varsity level, but the two are already making a positive impact. Along with junior Richard Antonellis, all have at least one return past their own 45-yard-line in their first game against Tewksbury.

The Warriors' average starting point is their own 42-yard-line.

"(Good field position) gives the team more confidence," said Carroll.

"Even if the other team scores, it gives you a good bounce-back," added Pace.

The team practices returns twice a week against a scout kickoff team. The Warriors focus on setting up and finding blocking assignments.

"The coach tells us to take two steps the other way to allow the defense to setup and start shifting," said Carroll.

"He also tells us to go more north and south than east and west," added Pace.

The returners do have some pre-return preparations, but when the ball is in the air they are mostly focused on making the catch.

"I back up so I can get a running start," said Pace. "I want to have a head start on the defense so that everybody does not need to hold (the block) so long."

Once the catch is made, the procedure speeds up. But the two try to keep the thought process simple.

"We are focused on getting to our spots and finding the wedges," said Carroll.

"We mainly just want to bring it back as far as we can," added Pace. "We are looking for touchdowns and good field position."

Despite personal success, the two recognize their blockers as a large part of their high return yards. Blockers on the return team include senior Benjamin Forman, sophomore Christopher Darley, and juniors Gregory Strait, Connor Young, David McCullough and Antonellis.

"They all bring it to people, knock them of their stride and slow them down," said Pace. "Everybody got to their spots and did what they needed to do."

"We really had some good blocks that opened up holes," added Carroll.

Paces believes a close relationship between the blockers and returners has allowed them to move smoothly and successfully, so far.

"We work so well as a team," said Pace. "Everybody knows what everyone else is thinking before we actually do it. It makes it is easier to find holes."

This relationship allows the returners to focus more on doing the job and less on worrying about getting hit.

"A reason you are not thinking about getting hit is you know you have a good blocking core," said Pace. "It am too busy looking for the holes and more thinking about getting to the end zone on the other side."

Reaching the end zone is a task both Lopez and the returners are focused on improving toward. The two are happy with their return game so far, but are certainly excited by the prospect of returning a touchdown for the first time on the varsity level.

"You can see the end zone through all the players," said Pace. "Maybe next week we can take one of those back."

"You have to give them credit, but if one of the guys stuck with his block a little longer, Carroll and Pace would each have a touchdown," added Lopez. 

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