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player ready...According to Leyden coach Pete Karamitos, senior Marco Cano sometimes acts as an extra coach in the Leyden video room.
The only senior on Leyden’s offensive line, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Cano will make comments to the rest of his linemates during film sessions, deliver advice or point out mistakes that he sees in the highlights.
Many of his observations revolve around on understanding “the steps” — Cano-speak for the footwork that is involved in playing the most unheralded — but one of the most important — positions on the football field.
Cano’s role is an important one.
“That says a lot about Marco and his character,” said Karamitos, who is in his second season as Leyden’s offensive line coach. “He’s a great vocal leader and leads by example. (His comments) come from experience. He’s learned what to pick up, what to do on a block. He’s the vocal leader for the other four juniors.”
Karamitos began rebuilding the offensive line in the summer. Cano was listed as the only returning starter, but that comes with an asterisk. He actually began starting in the second half of the seasonwhile filing in for Juan Puga when he was injured. Cano, a River Grove resident, started out last season on the defensive line.
Cano played left guard last season before switching to right tackle in the offseason.
Cano said he believes his previous experience as a defensive lineman helps him on the other side of the line. He was originally a defensive end and played at nose guard after Leyden changed its base defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3.
“I know how the defensive line plays. I know what they are capable of and I know what they want to do,” Cano said.
Cano is the veteran presence for the four juniors on the offensive line: left tackle Fabian Valdez, left guard Juan Lopez, center Virzi Lennart and right guard Eddy Dimitrowicz.
“We look to him and follow his lead,” Dimitrowicz said. “He pumps us up before games.”
Though Karamitos and Dimitrowicz describe Cano as a out-going motivator, Cano disagreed. He considers himself mild-mannered and quiet.
“I don’t yell at them. I don’t cuss them out,” Cano said of his linemates. “I do not talk a lot — I just bring it. I’m not cocky — I just bring it.”
Senior running back David DeMarais, who carred for 159 yards and four touchdown in a Week 3 win over Proviso East, raved about his revamped offensive line after serving as one of Leyden’s top rushers last season.
“I love it so much, working with these guys everyday,” DeMarais said.
Leyden’s offensive line had an off day on Saturday, Sept. 19, in a 10-7 West Suburban crossover loss to Lyons in Northlake. The game was moved after thunderstorms postponed Friday night’s kickoff.
DeMarais ran 17 times for 91 yards against Lyons (4-0), including 77 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Michael Wilms was 9 for 14 for 90 yards. His longest pass was a 35-yard completion to Jalen Moore late in the first quarter.
Leyden (2-2, 1-0) will try to keep its playoff hopes alive when it travels to Addison Trail at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in its second West Suburban Gold game.
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