HOLDING THE LINE HART LINEMEN PAVE WAY PILIGIAN, HETMAN RELIED ON.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Linemen Chris Piligian and Kyle Hetman love to needle each other and provide some laughter and levity for the Hart High football team. But when it comes to Friday nights, they're all business.

The veteran senior blockers have paved the way to a 9-0-1 season entering next week's playoffs, and all of the victories have been by 14 points or more.

``They both kind of jokers. It's always a running battle between them the way they're on each other,'' Hart coach Mike Herrington said. ``But Chris has been a starter since his sophomore year, and Kyle has been there his junior year, and they're played solid for us year in and year out.''

Piligian, a 6-foot-5, 260-pounder, is among the Southland's most prominent players. He's been offered a scholarship by Fresno State - other universities are pursuing him as well - and he usually is the key blocker at the point of attack on running plays. Plus, he protects quarterback Sean Norton's blind side on passing plays.

Hetman is merely 6-foot, 235 pounds, so he isn't getting such college attention. But don't expect him to give Piligian an inch when the two go up against one another in practice.

``We're good friends on and off the field, but every so often I get the last laugh when we go to head to head,'' Hetman said. ``We push each other to get better, but you've got to enjoy yourself, especially on the practice field, to have fun at this game.''

Offensive coordinator Davis Delmatoff has depended more on the twosome because most of the other offensive linemen have been shuffled around because of injuries or personnel changes. Piligian and Hetman have been the constants.

``I think the linemen are one of the most important, if not the most important, players on the team,'' Delmatoff said. ``It's great to have skill players, great quarterbacks and fast running backs. But if you don't have things together up front, you're not going to do anything. It's no good.''

Piligian and Hetman are technically proficient. More importantly, they're emotional leaders in the trenches.

``As a three-year starter, Chris has had a lot of big games for us. We want him blocking at the point of attack,'' Delmatoff said. ``And Hetman has been a big help with the new guys, telling them what to do.''

Delmatoff also appreciates the pair's easy-going mood and playfulness.

``Well, they've been around a few years and really gotten to know each other,'' Delmatoff said. ``It's not so much that they joke around, but they do provide a little more of a relaxed atmosphere, and over the course of a long season, that's important to have on a team. But they still turn it on at game time.''

As linemen, neither gets much publicity. They'll never make headlines on a weekly basis such as Norton or standout receivers Kevin Ciccone, Cody Kase and Ryan Wolfe.

But that's OK with both of them.

``There's a lot of pride in being a lineman. The team knows without you, they can't get anything done,'' Piligian said. ``As long as we work hard, things go well.

Added Hetman: ``Without us (the linemen as a group), we couldn't win so many games. don't mind being kind of anonymous. It's OK. I take a lot of pride in keeping Hart's tradition alive and keeping our Foothill League winning streak going (58 in a row). That's what it's all about - pride in winning.''

In fact, Hetman takes his role as a protector so seriously that even if college football doesn't work out - he's hoping to play at a small college or perhaps College of the Canyons - perhaps he can protect society: he wants to be a policeman or a fireman.

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Hart High offensive linemen Kyle Hetman, left and Chris Piligian are big reasons why the Indians' prolific offense runs so smoothly.

David Crane/Staff Photographer