By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

In Callaway’s High’s effective run-first veer offense, it’s easy to overlook the wide receivers on the outside blocking to help give the Cavaliers big-gainers on the ground.

Their blocks can be just as important as the offensive line’s, and position coach Kareem Douhne lets them know it every day in practice.

“We take pride in our blocking,” said Douhne, who joined the Cavaliers’ staff in 2005 when head coach Pete Wiggins took that position. “Those guys know, when we run wide they have to block, and sometimes it can be really fun.”

Douhne was a wide receiver himself at Murray County High and at Presbyterian College in South Carolina before tearing his ACL.

After graduating from West Georgia, Douhne and offensive coordinator Matt Napier were hired at Callaway to help install a Veer offense that now leads Region 5-AA, and is one of the most prolific offenses in Class AA.

Even as a former wide receiver at pass-happy Presbyterian, Douhne knew how important it was for receivers to block.

“All we did was throw (at Presbyterian), and when it comes to routes, I’ve been there, done that,” Douhne said. “But blocking always come first for wide receivers, even at Presbyterian. I love to coach those guys to block. Sometimes, it can be exciting.”

Douhne graduated from Murray County in 1999, the same year Wiggins was hired to coach the offensive line at the school.

Because Douhne and Napier were childhood friends, they both got a good word from Bill Napier, Matt’s father, when Wiggins was looking for young, energetic coaches to add to his Callaway staff.

Wiggins and Bill Napier worked together at Murray County, and Wiggins trusted his instinct.

It turned out to be a perfect fit.

“Coach Douhne was a heck of a player and works hard in the classroom and coaching on the field,” Wiggins said. “He’s a great member of our staff.”

While Douhne had some coaching experience prior to being hired at Callaway, jumping from a part-time youth football coach to a varsity position coach was a big step.

It’s been a learning experience, but one he’ll never take for granted.

“At the varsity level, there’s more pressure,” said Douhne, who also leads the Cavaliers’ girls tennis team and helped the Lady Cavs make it to the state tournament last spring. “It’s not like coaching kid camps. It’s been a good experience.”

The Cavaliers have had some good talent at the position in Douhne’s tenure, but no player is better than current senior Quantavius Leslie, who is verbally committed to play for West Virginia next season.

Leslie, who Douhne said is a “great kid,” has benefited from Douhne’s experience at the position, and strives to get better every day in practice.

“(Leslie) wants to get better and works on the little things,” Douhne said. “He makes me look good.”

Douhne said this year’s wide receiver unit could be the best since he’s been here, mostly because of their strong work ethic and desire to succeed.

“It’s been a pleasure to coach those guys,” Douhne said.

While Douhne isn’t sure what his coaching future holds, he knows with the experience he’s getting at Callaway, he’ll be well-qualified to take that next step, whenever it may be.

“I’m very comfortable at Callaway and love what I’m doing,” Douhne said. “The coaching part is just icing on the cake. I know I’d be prepared (for the future) from my experience with these coaches.”