Football Feature: Washington Blue Lions
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Playing on the offensive and defensive line, Cameron Shaw and Tyler Riley know a thing or two about contact when it comes to playing football on the gridiron. The two seniors also know about playing the game the right way and being two of the leaders for the Washington Blue Lions headed into the 2012 football season.
Riley and Shaw have played beside each other on the offensive line since they were first a part of the Washington Blue Lions Middle School team in the seventh grade. Fast-forward five years later, and the two are about to embark on their final season of not only playing football side by side, but their final year of representing the Blue Lions.
Being on the same side of the ball for all those years hasn't gone unnoticed to the two players, either.
[[In-content Ad]]"It helps a lot now because we've played beside each other since the seventh grade, basically," Shaw said. "We've worked together better than anyone else works together, a lot because we've played beside each other on the offensive line for so long. It's nice having the same player beside you from middle school through high school."
Riley also spoke about all the years they've played together on the offensive line.
"It's nice knowing what the person beside you is already going to do. You don't have to change things around for someone," Riley said. "You know how they are going to block someone, and you can just work on how you can help improve that block … knowing you have someone beside you that you can count on, you don't have to worry about them messing up."
The two players had similar beginnings in the game of football, but before they became teammates on the field, each had a tad bit different entrance into the game of football.
"I began in the pony league, playing for the Colts. My parents signed me up, and I just started there," Riley said. "I liked it and kept playing. I keep playing because I love the game, and I love hitting people. All of the work is worth it."
"First time I played football, I played for Scott Mickle for a team in Chillicothe called the Lions," Shaw said. "That was in fifth grade, so that was how I got my start. I love Friday nights the best … the atmosphere, the fans on their feet, cheering … I just love the game."
As the two players looked back at their time thus far playing for the Blue Lions, each had good memories on the field, especially when they played Fayette County rival Miami Trace.
"My favorite experience was in 2010 when I was a sophomore, playing in the playoff game. Another one was, for the past two years, playing Miami Trace and beating them," Shaw said.
"Beating Miami Trace has to be up there in my favorite moments because they are a good opponent and our county rival," Riley said. "My sophomore year when we played them, coming out onto the field, we had a tunnel from our field house all the way to the field. Going through the smoke, hearing all of our fans … that was crazy. That was probably the best experience of my life."
The two players not only play offense for the Blue Lions, but they are also members of the defense as they described their positions and how they play on the defensive line.
"On defense, besides making reads, there isn't too much pressure … you don't have too many responsibilities, you just go to the ball, and I like that," Riley said.
With both entering their final season, each player has high goals for their team, but in the end, they want the season to be one that they remember for years to come, also while speaking about what being a leader means to them.
"I want to have a good season, a positive season … just go out there and enjoy it," Riley said. "Staying vocal, setting a good example and showing everyone how things are supposed to be done and how to work hard, I feel that makes a good leader. A leader needs to set the bar, showing everyone their expectations and how everyone needs to meet those expectations but also picking up teammates."
"I guess the ultimate goal is to be 10-0, playoffs, win a league title and beat Trace … that's the ultimate goal for me. All of those goals pretty much go together, and it gives us something to work for to this season," Shaw said. "What I want to remember, though, is the atmosphere of Friday night … there is nothing else like it, there's nothing else better than that.
"Leading by example, that's what makes a good leader. When we are in the weight room working hard, not stopping, and also being vocal when teammates are slacking to tell them to pick it up."
Riley then spoke about the games in general, the feeling he gets from playing each Friday, while they both also spoke about how playing on Friday and being Blue Lion players is special.
"There is nothing else like it (playing on Friday night football)," Riley said. "Walking onto the field, hearing all those people who are there to watch you, to watch you play a game that you love … it's just a great feeling.
"All the hard work and effort I've put in here, I could never see myself doing that anywhere else. Playing for the Blue Lions means hard work and effort."
"Being a Blue Lion means a lot to me … I wouldn't want to play anywhere else except for Washington C.H. because I've grown up here all my life," Shaw said.
Riley and Shaw have played beside each other on the offensive line since they were first a part of the Washington Blue Lions Middle School team in the seventh grade. Fast-forward five years later, and the two are about to embark on their final season of not only playing football side by side, but their final year of representing the Blue Lions.
Being on the same side of the ball for all those years hasn't gone unnoticed to the two players, either.
[[In-content Ad]]"It helps a lot now because we've played beside each other since the seventh grade, basically," Shaw said. "We've worked together better than anyone else works together, a lot because we've played beside each other on the offensive line for so long. It's nice having the same player beside you from middle school through high school."
Riley also spoke about all the years they've played together on the offensive line.
"It's nice knowing what the person beside you is already going to do. You don't have to change things around for someone," Riley said. "You know how they are going to block someone, and you can just work on how you can help improve that block … knowing you have someone beside you that you can count on, you don't have to worry about them messing up."
The two players had similar beginnings in the game of football, but before they became teammates on the field, each had a tad bit different entrance into the game of football.
"I began in the pony league, playing for the Colts. My parents signed me up, and I just started there," Riley said. "I liked it and kept playing. I keep playing because I love the game, and I love hitting people. All of the work is worth it."
"First time I played football, I played for Scott Mickle for a team in Chillicothe called the Lions," Shaw said. "That was in fifth grade, so that was how I got my start. I love Friday nights the best … the atmosphere, the fans on their feet, cheering … I just love the game."
As the two players looked back at their time thus far playing for the Blue Lions, each had good memories on the field, especially when they played Fayette County rival Miami Trace.
"My favorite experience was in 2010 when I was a sophomore, playing in the playoff game. Another one was, for the past two years, playing Miami Trace and beating them," Shaw said.
"Beating Miami Trace has to be up there in my favorite moments because they are a good opponent and our county rival," Riley said. "My sophomore year when we played them, coming out onto the field, we had a tunnel from our field house all the way to the field. Going through the smoke, hearing all of our fans … that was crazy. That was probably the best experience of my life."
The two players not only play offense for the Blue Lions, but they are also members of the defense as they described their positions and how they play on the defensive line.
"On defense, besides making reads, there isn't too much pressure … you don't have too many responsibilities, you just go to the ball, and I like that," Riley said.
With both entering their final season, each player has high goals for their team, but in the end, they want the season to be one that they remember for years to come, also while speaking about what being a leader means to them.
"I want to have a good season, a positive season … just go out there and enjoy it," Riley said. "Staying vocal, setting a good example and showing everyone how things are supposed to be done and how to work hard, I feel that makes a good leader. A leader needs to set the bar, showing everyone their expectations and how everyone needs to meet those expectations but also picking up teammates."
"I guess the ultimate goal is to be 10-0, playoffs, win a league title and beat Trace … that's the ultimate goal for me. All of those goals pretty much go together, and it gives us something to work for to this season," Shaw said. "What I want to remember, though, is the atmosphere of Friday night … there is nothing else like it, there's nothing else better than that.
"Leading by example, that's what makes a good leader. When we are in the weight room working hard, not stopping, and also being vocal when teammates are slacking to tell them to pick it up."
Riley then spoke about the games in general, the feeling he gets from playing each Friday, while they both also spoke about how playing on Friday and being Blue Lion players is special.
"There is nothing else like it (playing on Friday night football)," Riley said. "Walking onto the field, hearing all those people who are there to watch you, to watch you play a game that you love … it's just a great feeling.
"All the hard work and effort I've put in here, I could never see myself doing that anywhere else. Playing for the Blue Lions means hard work and effort."
"Being a Blue Lion means a lot to me … I wouldn't want to play anywhere else except for Washington C.H. because I've grown up here all my life," Shaw said.