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PONDER
August 28, 2014
DRC Football
Ponder’s Aivaliotis growing as player By Patrick Hayslip Staff Writer
Filling a new role is a familiar challenge for Ponder offensive lineman Chris Aivaliotis. The senior was asked to play center a year ago for a team transitioning from a pass-heavy offense to a ground-andpound attack. The shift will continue this season when Aivaliotis will once again play a key part after moving over to right tackle to serve as running back Trey Dunlap’s personal battering ram. Aivaliotis welcomes those changes. “I love power-running football,” Aivaliotis said. “It’s whipping the other guy in front of you and driving him to the ground. It’s fun, especially for an offensive lineman because you love to do that. Pass protection is also nice, but I love to run over people all the time. It’s also nice to run the ball, keep the ball, run the
clock out and win the game.” Aivaliotis is well-equipped to help Ponder pound away at opponents, especially after pushing his weight from 260 pounds last season to 291 this year. Ponder head coach Glen Schuelke said he has noticed Aivaliotis’ growth. “He’s already a grown man physically, but the mental part of his game has also come a long way,” Schuelke said. “I think he’s figured out if we are going to win that he’s going to have to be a big part of it. He’s becoming a better leader.” That leadership ability is helping Ponder grow as a program. “I think it’s going to be really important,” Aivaliotis said of that growth. “We have a lot of new guys stepping up. They are really helping us out. We’re getting some good blocks and our pass protection has gotten a lot better than it was last year. I feel like we’ve improved a lot as an offensive line.”
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton
Ponder offensive lineman Chris Aivaliotis has grown as a player and as a leader and will fill a vital role in both capacities as the Lions make the transition from a passing offense to a run-based attack this season.
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