A LINE THAT'S TOP OF THE LINE PARACLETE'S FRONT FIVE ARE KEY TO SPIRITS' GROUND GAME.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

LANCASTER- They're not his rules, but Paraclete High football coach Jeff Cortez expects his offensive linemen to play by the rules.

Those are the rules required to make the proper blocks that spring the Spirits' standout running backs, Curtis Brown and Erick Jackson, in Paraclete's Delaware wing-t offense.

So, when the top-seeded Spirits play at San Jacinto in a Southern Section Division XII quarterfinal, watch the blocking techniques of a veteran yet unheralded offensive line. Then again, how many times do fans watching a football game actually pay attention to the unsung guys up front?

``It's very comforting because it gives me a lot of motivation to do better,'' said Daniel Arroyo, the lone junior of the group. ``I basically try to do my best to block for Curtis and get him the most possible yards he can. And make sure he doesn't get hurt.''

The focus is on Brown, who could break the region's rushing record tonight, and Jackson, who would be a star on other teams but is simply Paraclete's other 1,000-yard back. Credit for their prolific yards gained should partly go to the solid if unspectacular performances by left tackle Jesse Pulido, left guards Geoff Phelan and Alex Bernal, center Chris Yee, right guard Patrick Courtney and right tackle Arroyo.

Pulido and Arroyo, moving over from center, are the lone returning starters. But the rest of the linemen are seniors with varsity experience last year. That's been an important aspect of Paraclete's ability to block in its offense. They already know the rules.

``Our linemen have to learn a rule system. You don't have to (perform) it perfect but you have to know your rules,'' Cortez said. ``Our rules are designed to help them know who's more important to block and what technique to use too. You put any defense in front of us and if we know our rules we can block them.''

Paraclete's first four games, all wins en route to a 9-0 record, came against unfamiliar defensive schemes against which the Spirits hadn't practiced. But the blocking was effective in each.

Terms such as Gap Down Backer or Fire On Backer might make an outsider feel linguistically challenged. Gap blocking, fire blocking and down blocking have become part of the Spirits' lineman's vocabulary.

``Gap Down Backer: You would either get the guy that's in the gap down from you or you get the (linebacker) if there's nobody in the gap down for you,'' Courtney explained. ``It's actually pretty easy because no matter how they line up there's always a rule for whatever they're going to do.''

The Spirits' strategy in regards to blocking isn't about straight-ahead pounding of the defensive lines. Brown and Jackson have such slashing ability to run through the slightest of creases, the objective is simply to create small gaps on either side of the line.

In last week's first-round playoff win over Bosco Tech of Rosemead, Jackson exploited several such narrow openings and accelerated through for big gains, mostly running behind Courtney pulling from his right guard position.

A converted tight end, Courtney, sounding like the Skipper from Gilligan's Island, proudly calls Jackson ``My little buddy.''

``Most of the plays that I pull, (Jackson's) the one that I'm blocking for,'' Courtney said. ``I always have him put his hand on my back and we've kind of got a little bond going. I always try and get Erick the most yards.''

Jackson and Courtney usually discuss that night's game on the bus ride over or on campus. Why not get to know the guy responsible for creating the seams Jackson is so adept at exposing.

``He speaks up a lot to me. He's always saying `Erick, I'm going to get you this, I'm going to get you that. How many yards do you want'?'' Jackson said. ``All we need is that little crease, it doesn't even take a full second. If you look at it, our linemen can just block them, and go on.''

Jackson and Brown not only are fast but strong enough to shed the initial tackler, requiring a second defender to bring them down. Jackson says he hopes his blockers simply can send their opponent off balance just enough to race past.

Pulido takes pride into Friday nights knowing he's been a convoy for Brown, who is ready to supplant Valencia High's Manuel White as the region's career rushing king.

``It feels so good to be a part of this history, this five (Southern Section titles) we're going for,'' Pulido said. ``I'm grateful for the opportunity.''

Pulido said his transgression from a frightened, inexperienced junior to steady senior is typical of himself and his teammates up front.

``Last year my first game I was so nervous,'' he said. ``I'm looking out there saying `Oh man. Am I as good as these guys?' I don't know. I've never done this before. Now I just feel so good. So confident. I know I can do it. Once you've done it once, you get in a rhythm.''

Even Paraclete's lower-level offensive linemen are catching on like Pulido has. They'll have to be ready next season, when everyone but Arroyo is lost to graduation.

``It's funny, about Week 5 they'd say `Oh. Gap Down Backer. That's what that means','' Cortez said. ``It's a process. That's why it's so important for the whole program to be doing the same thing.''

PARACLETE (9-0) vs. SAN JACINTO (7-4)

What: Southern Section Division XII quarterfinals

When: 7:30 p.m., at San Jacinto

Records: Paraclete 9-0; San Jacinto 7-4

Matchup: Paraclete coach Jeff Cortez is concerned about San Jacinto's ability to pass and the Tigers' experience. Ten of 11 starters are seniors off a team that reached the playoffs last year and won its first league championship in 15 years when it upset previously unbeaten Twentynine Palms and Big Bear to capture the De Anza League title. San Jacinto quarterback Alan Norman threw for just 135 yards in the Tigers' 20-7 first-round win over Bishop but is capable of far better numbers. The Spirits' secondary, led by senior Joe Martin and junior Tommy Caton, played well against passing teams Chaminade of West Hills and L.A. Baptist of North Hills in the regular season.

- Chris Cocoles

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

From left, Daniel Arroyo, Patrick Courtney, Geoff Phelan, Alex Bernal and Jesse Pulido anchor Paraclete's offensive line.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

PARACLETE (9-0) vs. SAN JACINTO (7-4) (see text)