Sophomore Middletown lineman getting job done for Middies

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 7:02 AM Friday, November 13, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Offensive linemen rarely get any recognition, largely because they do not accumulate statistics, but it is a position that is often the key to a football team’s success.

Kevin Henderson has certainly done his part in helping the Middletown Middies offense this season.

When it began

Henderson, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound sophomore, grew up in Hamilton, where he played basketball most of his early years.

He first played football for Wilson Middle School in Hamilton, but then moved to Middletown in time to begin playing football at Vail Middle School.

“My dad (Kevin Sr.) played football at Hamilton in the 1980s, and my little brother began playing, so I thought I’d give it a chance,” said Henderson, who now has given up basketball to play football exclusively. “It’s all football for me.”

Keep on working

Henderson has a no-nonsense approach to his game.

“I just go out and do what I’m told,” Henderson said about what offensive line coaches Matt Tyla and Dan Kelley coach the line to do. “They tell us we are the underdogs and we have to overcome it. They push is to keep working every down.”

As a sophomore, though, Henderson said it was a little difficult for him in the beginning.

“It was hard to stay focused being a sophomore,” he said. “But it has gotten a lot easier as the season has gone on. We’ve just been focused on one-week seasons each week.”

Great season

Henderson began the season wanting to get better.

“I wanted to get in good shape and end the season better than I started,” he said. “I think I’ve done that.”

But the season isn’t over yet, and Henderson, like every Middie player, is excited about being in the playoffs.

“It feels real good,” Henderson said. “This is the first time anything like this has happened to me. I’m real excited.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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