Finley Hendricks • Classical Academy Football

Eight-man football does not hide anybody. Finley Hendricks is just fine with that. The Classical Academy sophomore wears No. 25, plays both sides of the line, and already talks like a kid who has decided the trench is his.

Week 1 told him the same thing. The Patriots beat Riverview Academy 45-0. Hendricks left that night sure of two things. "I felt really good. Got a lot of really good pressure on the quarterback. Did pretty good on the o-line, nobody got past me, feel good about it."

That is the whole job on this team. Keep your quarterback clean. Make theirs uncomfortable. "I’m looking for physicality. I want to hit people and I want to make sure nobody beats me."

The sack number is already loud for a sophomore. "I’ve got eight so far, so hoping for double digits." Even in eight-man, that is a pace. Last year, as a freshman defensive end, he already forced two fumbles and recovered two. This fall he is on the field both ways and has been through college camps over the summer. The tape is supposed to get heavier from here.

Classical is 1-1 after a 42-14 loss to SLAM Tampa. The scoreboard will swing in Florida’s 8-man conference. What Hendricks is selling does not. Hit first. Don’t get beat. Keep stacking pressures until double digits isn’t a hope.

Friday nights at Skye Ranch are going to run through the kids who want contact. Finley has already told you which side of that he’ll fall on.