East Rowan High School's Chris Demitraszek (73) prepares to wrap up North Rowan's Jesse Rudisell (5). photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

By Ronnie Gallagher

rgallagher@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY — Chris Demitraszek felt all types of emotions when East Rowan's football team gathered at halftime of last week's game at North Rowan.

The junior defensive lineman had helped hold the Cavaliers scoreless for 24 minutes, so he felt good about that.

But the offense hadn't put a point on the board. He didn't feel good about that.

Neither did head coach Brian Hinson or offensive line coach Gary Bass. The big boys up front were besieged by injuries and the Mustangs had trouble moving the ball.

So they moved Demitraszek to the other side of the line. He helped pave the way for 15 second-half points and East had its first victory of the 2008 season, 15-6.

"We felt we did our job on defense," Demitraszek said of the mood at halftime. "The coaches were comfortable with that. We were sort of ticked off that our offense couldn't produce."

When Bass moved Demitraszek to offense, he had simple instructions.

"On the offensive line, you've got a lot to remember," Bass explained. "I said, 'Demo, hit the man in front of you.' "

Simple instructions, but effective. Demitraszek, playing his first time on the offensive line, did more than just hit the man opposite him.

"I remember one play in the the third quarter," said Hinson, once an All-American lineman at Catawba. "Demo takes one of their defensive linemen who is coming from the left hash and drives him past the right hash and gets a panckake (block). For his debut, that's a pretty good job."

Not that Bass or Hinson were worried about Demitraszek missing assignments. He's one of the smartest kids in school, carrying a 4.5 GPA.

"For him, missing assignments isn't an issue," Hinson said.

In fact, Hinson laughed, there are moments Demo confuses the staff.

"That kid is as smart as they come," he said. "Sometimes, he's too smart. He over-analyzes things. There will be 10-11 coaches standing in (the office) and he'll ask a question that has us all looking at him like he's crazy. But then, you think about it, and he's got a good point."

Demitraszek is also making his debut as a Mustang leader. East lost 26 seniors from last year's seven-win team.

"He's one of the few kids starting that has varsity experience," Hinson said. "We need him to step up."

Demitraszek knew he had a responsbility to lead after the opener, a decisive 35-6 loss to Salisbury.

"That was sort of an awakening," he said. "We had a lot of guys who were just moved up to varsity. They were very afraid. It was like a stepping stone. We busted our tails all week for North Rowan."

Hinson won't have any problem playing Demitraszek both ways. Hinson's problem?

Spell his last name, Coach.

"I think I can," Hinson grinned, "but I'm not going to want it in a spelling bee."

He does want Demo on the field, however.

"He has a mean streak that not a lot of our kids have," Hinson said. "That makes him a better football player."

What do you think? Post your comment below.