MAKING NOISE: Foothill High's Ruurd Amelita is looking to prove he belongs among the elite linemen in Orange County. MIGUEL VASCONCELLOS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER |
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Foothill feels impact
Amelita is among county's top linemen
Special To OCVarsity.com
With all of the beefy 330 pounds layered on Ruurd Amelita’s 6-foot-3 frame, it’s tough to imagine the Foothill offensive lineman could manage to sneak under the radar. But he rarely is mentioned among the county’s crop of elite lineman and often isn’t even in the conversation. It’s something the Knights’ hulking senior captain has grown accustomed to and a role he has learned to relish.
“We’re all under the radar,” Amelita said of himself and his team. “I love it.”
His name popped up briefly last year as the Knights erupted for a surprising 9-3 season that included a Sea View League title. They went undefeated in league for the first time in school history and reached the second round of the playoffs, but Foothill coach Doug Case said he thinks it’s just the beginning.
Amelita, is quicker, bulkier (he bench presses 395), more experienced and will to be the focal point of an offensive line that is expected to be the strength of Foothill’s league title defense and maybe further.
“He’s the best offensive lineman in Orange County,” said Case, whose player’s competition for that distinction includes Servite’s Matt Kalil and Mater Dei’s Khaled Holmes. “I can’t say enough about how far he can lead us.
“With his size, fantastic agility and speed, he’s going to be an impact player.”
In the offseason, Amelita trains at least an hour a day with his stepfather, former NFL lineman Richard Brown, in Samoa. They review game footage and drill footwork, speed work and technique in the tropical island climate.
“He teaches me a lot,” said Amelita, who is being recruited by Utah, Utah State and San Diego State, among other schools. “We look at tape, he helps with my down blocking, quick feet, everything.”
The muggy weather helps build his endurance, he said, and the conditioning helps his ability to play on the defensive line as well.
“It’s very hot, very humid and hard to breathe,” said Amelita, who is three-quarters Samoan and one-quarter Dutch. “But it really helps.”
When Amelita is not overseas, Brown flies in for the summer to help with strength training and other drills as the season opener nears.
The result has been a more explosive, fundamentally sound individual with a strong work ethic that rubs off on his teammates.
“For each play that he’s in, there’s something about him to watch,” quarterback Chad Miller said. “Whether it’s the intimidation factor or a pancake block, he just has an impact on every play.”
Teams will eventually find out, Amelita says. It just might be the hard way.
“If we get to where we want be, I think we’re going to change a lot of people’s perspective on Foothill,” Amelita said. “We’re going to get our respect this year.”
