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Ashland defender Holtey is a hot commodity By Don Hunt ASHLAND � Ben Holtey was playing inside linebacker for the Ashland High football team last season and doing a fine job of it until he injured his back in midseason. When he returned after three games, he found himself at a new position: defensive tackle. It was a match made in football heaven. Holtey has stuffed opponents� running games, continually harassed quarterbacks and generally caused havoc all over the field for the Grizzlies, who will put their 7-1 record, seven-game winning streak and No. 7 state ranking on the line Friday night at Spiegelberg Stadium when they meet No. 3-ranked North Medford. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Holtey is one of the smallest defensive tackles in the Southern Oregon Conference but uses quickness, technique and his knowledge of the game to out-finesse and out-smart the opposition. "He reads blocks and reacts to what the other team is doing as well or better than any kid I�ve coached," says Grizzly line coach Russ Cooley. "And his technique is super. He�s got all the moves." Holtey, who leads the Grizzlies in tackles and whose 11 sacks put him at or near the top of SOC, didn�t resist moving to the defensive line even though it meant he would be going against players who routinely outweigh him by 30 to 50 pounds. In fact, he welcomed the change. "I think it�s a better fit for me," he says. "I�m not really one of those wild-eyed linebacker types who fly around and crush people. I like to use my speed and spin moves and outmaneuver guys to get to the ball. "Plus, I don�t have to run five yards to hit somebody." Holtey, who also starts at center on offense for the Grizzlies, has been playing at such a high level that head coach Jim Nagel makes no secret over his intention to nominate him for defensive player of the year. "And I�d be shocked if he didn�t get several votes and maybe win it," Nagel says. "He�s had that kind of season." Nagel is most impressed with Holtey�s determination and doggedness, a never-give-up mentality that enables him to make a lot of tackles after getting knocked from his feet. "He�s so quick at bouncing right back up," Nagel says. Holtey says South Medford has given him his toughest game to date, but he knows that could change Friday night when the Grizzlies take on the 8-0 Tornado. Holtey has watched North Medford�s offensive line on film and admits it�s clearly the best he�s seen. "I�ve never gone up against a line that stays so low," he says. "Their guys stay low for five yards, and it�s hard to defend that. They do a good job of getting at your legs. "They�ve got me a little nervous." Holtey, a second-team all-conference offensive guard as a sophomore, is the youngest of three brothers to play for the Grizz. Nathan played on the 1993 team that finished runner-up in state, while Adam played on the 1997 squad that was ranked No. 1 most of the season only to lose in the second round of the playoffs. Back then, little Ben took in everything he could. "I learned a lot from my brothers," he says. "I learned the mentality of football at a young age and I learned to respect the coaches. "My brothers always said if I listened and did exactly what the coaches asked that I could be a dominant player. It was good advice." Holtey nearly got chewed out at a recent film session when the coaches saw that he was getting out of his stance and turning his body right before the snap of the ball. It turns out he was hollering to the Grizzly linebackers what play was coming. Holtey may soon have yet another position: coach. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.