Cache nose guard uses technique to finish job

Weatherford has long been known to field a physical, ground-oriented offense with some massive offensive linemen and while this group of Eagles might not be their best team in recent history, they are still a playoff contender.

Thursday night Cache hosts the Eagles and if the Bulldogs are going to firm up their playoff hopes; a victory would go a long way toward that goal.

While the entire Cache team knows the importance of this game, the guy with maybe the toughest job is nose guard Raysean Pyles.

Pyles is a 6-1, 215-pound senior nose guard and while his job is to disrupt plays and give the Cache linebackers a clean path to the ball carrier or passer, he does that against linemen who are 60, 70 or even 80 pounds heavier.

“Most teams have bigger offensive linemen than myself,” he said. “In those situations, I just have to use my technique. If I don’t use good technique I won’t get my assignment completed. It is a combination of strength, quickness and solid technique.

Like most of the guys on the defensive front, he has a veteran coach helping him learn the finer points of being a defensive lineman.

“Coach (Les) Abbott has really helped me learn the right things to do,” Pyles said. “He’s always stressing for us to stay low, move our hands and drive through those bigger linemen. He wants me to be that disruptor.”

The Cache senior isn’t know to be doing anything special when he gets a few hours away from school and football practice.

“I just like to hang with my family,” he said. “I enjoy eating good food and I like to get plenty of rest.”

And, Pyles likes his food homemade by mom Octavia Piercy-Johnson.

“You can’t beat your mom’s home cooking,” he said. “She cooks so many great dishes that it is hard to pick out one. I also love Chinese food, especially beef with broccoli.”

Mom has even taught Raysean how to cook.

“She has really helped me learn to cook,” he added. “I could cook you up some lasagna from scratch. That’s something I love to cook and it’s always good.”

When it comes to the classroom, Pyles’ favorite class this semester is English.

“I enjoy my English class a great deal,” he said. “Our teacher gives us a chance to write about the things we love and the things that are on our minds.”

As far as the future goes for Pyles, he wants to go to college and his choices of career options are vastly different.

“My size may keep me from getting to play college football but if I got an offer I’d consider it,” he said. “Mom really wants me to have a good life and is always pushing me to make good decisions that will help me succeed. The two careers that I am looking at are either in the culinary field or maybe becoming a chiropractor.”

Tonight’s game starts at 7 p.m. at Ulrich Stadium and while the Bulldogs face a tough road to the playoffs, Pyles sees that opportunity.

“We’ve had games where our problems came in different phases,” he said. “One game our offense might struggle, in another our defense had mistakes, and we’ve had some problems in special teams. We stiff have a shot at the playoffs, though.

“Everyone is still motivated on this team. We just have to stay focused. These coaches are still working hard to prepare us for each challenge. We aren’t going to quit fighting.”