Lehman’s Kevin Ibanez will try to help the Lobo football team with a switch from tight end to left tackle on offense this season. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by MARK CAUL
Unlike many offensive linemen playing high school football, Kevin Ibanez has never been able to live in the world of obscurity.
The fact is, there’s nothing bordering on the boundaries of anonymity when it comes to Lehman’s former starting tight end.
Especially when he’ll most likely be the only offensive lineman on the team who can successfully catch a pass or two without hesitation and who will probably have the freshest legs in the fourth quarter going against bulkier, but slower defensive linemen.
Take one look at Ibanez’s gargantuan 6-foot-3 inch, 235-pound frame and it’s easy to see why the guy can never hide – on or off the field.
“My size has definitely been a big advantage to me on and off the field,” Ibanez said. “Off the field, there haven’t been too many people who were willing to challenge a guy my size even though they are usually older and stronger than me. And on the field, I have been able to use my size and strength to my advantage as well.”
Lehman head football coach Steve Davis views Ibanez’s size and strength as a positive headed into a new district where they will be competing against bigger, more physical teams such as Smithson Valley and Canyon, which will strategically shuttle players in and out of the lineup hoping to capitalize on the Lobos’ thin depth.
“Kevin will be one of our more experienced guys this season even though he will be learning a new position,” Davis said. “Moving him to offensive tackle was something we had thought about after we saw the lack of size we had coming back this year.
He will have to get used to blocking every play rather than going out into the flat catching passes.”
Ibanez caught nine passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in 2009 and was also a member of the Lobo power lifting squad.
Junior quarterback Matt Anguiano may be losing one of his most reliable targets in Ibanez but is happy to be gaining a hard-nosed teammate who will be protecting his left side when the season begins.
“Kevin has great hands and knows how to get open,” Angiuano said.
“We didn’t really pass a lot last year but he was always somebody I could throw to when I really needed a first down or had to scramble. But I think because of his size, he will make a good lineman. I know I will feel very comfortable with him there.”
Although he understands that offensive linemen generally don’t get a lot of recognition unless they commit a costly penalty, Ibanez has embraced the change with open arms.
“I just want to help the team win,” Ibanez said. “That’s how I look on it. Whatever I needed to do to help the team, that’s what I wanted to do, so if they wanted me to become a lineman, then that’s what I’m going to do. There will be some things I have to learn but I’m ready to do what it takes.”
Ibanez said he’s not sure if he’ll play a role in Lehman’s passing attack this fall, but he spent most of his time this summer catching passes on the Lobo’s 7-on-7 squad as a receiver.
“It’s all about getting prepared,” said Ibanez. “I can’t say this is going to happen. Nothing’s guaranteed, but we’ll see how two-a-days go.”
An extremely shy and reserved guy off the field, Ibanez’s size and athleticism, not to mention his all-business demeanor, would suggest he will get serious looks from colleges in the spring.
“That would be the ultimate goal,” Ibanez said. “It has always been a dream of mine to play college football. But first I want to help Lehman have its best season in history in my senior year.”
