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Air One Big Warriors Linemen Camp Report – Gresham Lineman Brian Dahl Defines High School Linemen

A High School Football Linemen’s Camp Known as The Big Warriors Camp is running in Portland, Oregon on Sundays form now on to May. Kids wanting to master the skills of offense and defense on the line should attend!

Air One Big Warriors Linemen Camp Report – Gresham Lineman Brian Dahl Defines High School Linemen

We have covered every single linemen to come out of the State of Oregon and Washington for the most part over the past 10 years.  The All Americans and big Time D-1 guys have been fun to cover as we watch them move up from a young age all the way to the top.  With all the accolades and All American recognition guys like Kearsley, Suh, Wade, Humphreys, and a long list of others have landed we have learned what that super recruit needs to look like and play like.

Brain Dahl of Gresham HS is a terrific High School linemen and is getting it down at the Air One Linemens Camp in 2014

Brain Dahl of Gresham HS is a terrific High School linemen and is getting it down at the Air One Linemens Camp in 2014

Here is the thing.  That guy is rare.  So rare that you could take all the linemen in an entire league and still not have one of those guys.  In fact you could take all the linemen in several leagues and still the super recruit we all celebrate would not appear.

There are anywhere from 8-11 Linemen on the field at one time on offense and defense.  And the battles are fierce regardless of inches or star ratings.  Having coached line and watch my own boys grow up I know what the heart and soul of the a team is and it is in fact these guys.  Most of these crazy dirt eating behemoths will float an inch or two up or down from 6’0″ bare footed.  Most will be 235 to 265 lbs and have average to below average speed.  And most would give everything they have to play one more down of high school football when it is over.

There is a great big soft spot in my heart for the High School Linemen and moreover the kid who is in this 95% majority group.  That guy that is 5′ 11″ and 265 lbs and sort of mean and nasty and tough.  That guy that does not talk much and sort of smirks or smiles wryly when he hears a joke.  That same guy with a bruise on his cheek and cut on his arm and maybe a bandaged or caged up finger or two with a crazy look in his eyes.  Those are my heroes on the field Friday night.

Last season it was David Brugato at Jesuit who had that spot filled to a tee.  There was not a more fierce kid in the State of Oregon.   In 2012 it was Marq Randall from Roseburg at 5’9″ and 235 lbs playing nose and DT–  the amazing kid went on to be an All Star and is at Linfield now and while everyone watched a lineup of D1 Monsters at the Les Schwab All Star Game go at it Marq simply made them look amateurish with his monumental efforts.

Toots Ka'ahanui Coaches the finer points of winning along the D-line to campers at the Big Warriors Line Camp!

Toots Ka’ahanui Coaches the finer points of winning along the D-line to campers at the Big Warriors Line Camp!

So at the Air One Big Warriors Linemen Camp which started a couple of weeks back it was great pleasure to see a nice group of good sized kids coming in and among them are many who fit this description.  Among them is Brian Dahl of Gresham High School- a second Team All League linemen in his Junior Campaign.  At 5’11.5″ and 275 lbs he is very well put together.  And he is showing the Coaching Staff, made up of collegiate coaches, that he is hungry to learn and capable of applying the closely taught techniques.

“He is the perfect kid to teach,” said former WOU Coach and Linfield Grad and player Tim Bowman who heads up the O’line group.  “He listens, ask questions, and applies what he learns right away and repeats it.  He is a tough kid and we won more games in the past 30 years with guys like Brian then all the stars we every had!”

Brian grinds on his opponents and refuses to be moved.  It is clear he has terrific balance and absolutely loves taking on top rated kids.  There is a clear intention when he is out there to win every rep.  This folks is the guy that is the poster child for winning high school football.  An average sized kid, good but not great natural athlete, who is transforming himself into the best he can be.

“The technique coaching here at Camp is the best.  I am learning a lot and would love to see anyone that wants to compete and get better come see what I am talking about,” said Dahl who spoke with us after working non-stop all of the 2 hour camp last Sunday.  “Best value and best teaching and I am excited for more!”

So — the call to action is being sent out –

Youth and High School Players welcome.  The Camp is 11:30 to 1:15 at the Parkrose Main Gym and walk ups are fine provided paperwork is done at the door.  Registrations may be done at BigWarriors.com and  there are about 10 spots open before the camp is full.  If your a linemen and want to compete– no strike that- if you want to dominate and learn this is the camp for you.  Regardless of skill this is your opportunity.

Proper demonstration of line work requires 1/2 speed and full speed and Big Zack Ka'ahanui and Coach Tim Bowman  deliver the goods!

Proper demonstration of line work requires 1/2 speed and full speed and Big Zack Ka’ahanui and Coach Tim Bowman deliver the goods!

“Think of it like learning to fight in the martial arts of boxing,” said D’line Coach and Boise State Alum Toots Ka’ahanui.  “Most camps I have seen focus on 1-1 battles and while those are great the technique we see is just not there.  So we want to teach kids how to win in the game of inches and be able to go win on the field every down.  If a kid wants to learn we want them.”

Come out to camp and get better-  and guess what-  to help kids out it in the bad economy the $25 dollar price is the best value anywhere.  For Dahl and guys like him we look forward to seeing them get better and win and many of them will move on to great colleges like Randall and Brugatto.

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.

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  1. David J. Martin

    February 21, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    Great story about an awesome kid. He is the leader on the offensive line out here at Gresham High School and he shares his knowledge with all levels from Varsity and JV down to even the freshman team. He has done amazing job of helping my son Dominic Martin get mentally stronger and physically stronger by showing him the correct way to lift weights properly. Truly a wonderful kid that I have the pleasure of getting to know off and on the field. D-1 colleges get your offers in early and get him in for a visit before someone else snatches him up.

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