Dane Hansen, a junior, went both ways on the line for La Jolla against Country Day in week one. One of six starters playing both offense and defense, he said, "We played with high intensity last week, but the focus wasn't what it should be.
"If we keep up the intensity and really focus tomorrow (Sept. 4), we will be successful because our fast-paced offense will run Bishop's off the field."
Hansen was credited with four solo tackles against the Torreys in unofficial statistics.
Hansen was credited with four solo tackles against the Torreys in unofficial statistics.
Hansen, a burly 5'11', 210 pounds, clearly won the competition for starting center in August, by all reports. But soon after the start of the opener Aug. 28, guard Tino Mendez went down with a knee injury. Christoph Gish was inserted at center, and Hansen was switched to guard. He had to make adjustments.
"Christoph is a very good center," said Hansen. "I wasn't planning on playing guard, but when they moved me there, I just relied on the other linemen to help me out because I was unfamiliar with the plays."
Hansen said his thinking at the line is this: "I just make sure I out-work the guy across from me. Specifically, being faster than him and hitting him harder."
The junior, who turns 17 on Oct. 12, said Mendez won't play against Bishop's, "but he will be back for Blastoff (Sept. 11), so me and Christoph will be out there" again facing the Knights.
Hansen's interests include history as a subject he likes in school, sushi, milkshakes, and rap music.
Hansen's interests include history as a subject he likes in school, sushi, milkshakes, and rap music.
Hansen has enjoyed a busy last five months. Last spring, he was included on Coach Gary Frank's varsity baseball roster for the CIF playoffs after pitching for the junior varsity throughout the regular season. The Vikings made it to the CIF Division 2 championship game at Fowler Park on the USD campus, a thrill for Hansen, still a sophomore at the time, even though he didn't play in the game.
He is undergoing one cosmetic change: He is accustomed to wearing glasses. He wore glasses while pitching last season. One reporter didn't recognize him at summer passing league in football when he showed up without spectacles, instead using contact lenses.
He is undergoing one cosmetic change: He is accustomed to wearing glasses. He wore glasses while pitching last season. One reporter didn't recognize him at summer passing league in football when he showed up without spectacles, instead using contact lenses.
"Ha ha," he laughed electronically in a Facebook exchange after being reminded of the encounter. "That happens often" (people not recognizing him without glasses).
"But I plan on wearing contacts this year," he said, in not only football but also baseball next spring when he moves up to varsity permanently.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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