NORTH ANDOVER — Call Alex Blane the bodyguard — or possibly the enforcer.
Any defender with ideas of hassling one of North Andover's big-play backs must first go through Blane, a task few savor and even fewer have succeeded in.
"I take a tremendous amount of pride in being the left tackle," said Blane. "I take it as an honor to protect the quarterback (Brandon Walsh's) blind side. If he gets hit, it's my fault, and If he doesn't get touched the whole game, that means I did my job."
Blane and his Scarlet Knights will look to make Thanksgiving a memorable one, as they face three-time defending champion Masconomet with the Cape Ann League large title on the line.
"Winning the CAL (large) would be unbelievable," he said. "We need to stop their two stars (Chris Splinter and Evan Bunker). But beating them would be incredible."
It would be North Andover's first crown since the 2005 season, when Blane was in middle school.
"Of course, I was there," said Blane. "It was an amazing game. I was in the eighth grade, and I remember it was such a hard game on a muddy day at Masconomet. It was incredible, and I'd love to repeat that."
Scarlet Knight coach John Rafferty is grateful to have Blane on his side.
"He's a very strong player who works very hard at the physical and mental aspects of the game,'' said Rafferty.
Standing 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Blane strikes fear into CAL offensive and defensive linemen simply by stepping into the football field. But he admits his size did not always lead to athletic prowess.
"I was always the tallest kid in my class," said Blane. "But I was kind of awkward when I was younger. But then I hit a growth spurt in the ninth grade, and that's when that athleticism kicked in."
Blane received his first taste of varsity action as a sophomore, on the field goal block team. Then, as a junior he was named starter at the position he has played since the fifth grade, left tackle.
"I had to step in right away and take over the left side," he said. "It was pretty nerve-wracking at first, but I have learned to love left tackle."
Blane has become a dominant pass blocker and run blocker. Last year, with star running back Zac Iovanella struggling with injuries, Blane protected freshman Walsh as he threw for 1,094 yards and seven touchdowns.
This season, the Scarlet Knights have employed a balanced attack, as they have improved from 3-8 a year ago to 8-2. Walsh has continued to improve, throwing for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns.
But Blane and his linemates have also had the opportunity to push defenses around in run blocking. Iovanella has returned to full strength this season, carrying 205 times for 1,166 yards and 21 scores. And his blockers take as much pride in those stats as the running back.
"I love it," said Blane. "If Zac's rushing for 150 yards in a game, it means I am doing well. I am firing off the ball, going to the right place and opening the holes for him."
This season, Blane has also been utilized on defense, but he admits his job has been more blocker than speed rusher.
"I don't make too many tackles," he said with a laugh. "I take on the double teams and free up the linebackers to run around and make sacks."
The 17-year-old also credited his improved athleticism to his work as a Cape Ann League All-Star in lacrosse (27 goals last year) and two-year letterman on the basketball team. But his heart remains on the gridiron.
"Nothing beats a big block," said Blane. "And a big tackle is pretty sweet too. But I love to block and being the left tackle means the world to me."
Blane hopes to remain on the offensive side of the football in college. He said he has been in contact with Division 1-AA schools like UMass Amherst and the University of New Hampshire along with Division 2 Assumption and Division 3 St. Lawrence.
But he isn't ready for his high school career to end just yet.
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