If mega-heralded Jackson Cantwell goes on to become the college and NFL player those in the know feel he will be, Ruben Arvizu has a story he’ll be able to tell family and friends.
At this week’s Ozark Linemen Challenge that attracted Nixa, Neosho and Joplin, Arvizu put his name on a very short list of defensive ends who have ever gotten the best of Cantwell.
As linemen went head-to-head across the line of scrimmage, Arvizu and Cantwell faced off on four occasions. On their final matchup, Arvizu pushed Cantwell back far enough that both behemoths fell onto the tackling dummy representing the quarterback.
If this had been under Friday night lights, Cantwell probably still would have given his quarterback enough time to throw the ball. But when anyone can generate momentum against Cantwell at any time, it’s certainly noteworthy.
“It was strength on strength,” Arvizu said. “Usually, if my first two pass-rush moves don't work, I try to keep pushing (the offensive lineman) back to the quarterback.”
Arvizu valued the challenge of charging against Cantwell’s blocking.
“He's big and one of the best guys in the country,” the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Arvizu said of the 6-foot-7, 300-pound Cantwell. “I Iike going against him. It's great competition. I want to put myself against those kind of guys and show off my tool box.”
Arvizu and Cantwell don’t socialize off the field, but have gotten to know each other fairly well.
“We've gone against each other quite a bit the past two years, about six times when you count jamborees, regular-season games and playoff games,” Arvizu said. “There's mutual respect. We say, 'Good job, good rep, good game.’ He's a nice guy.”
Alas, it appears Arvizu and Cantwell may have banged heads for the last time.
“That's the most I'm going to see of him this year,” Arvizu acknowledged.
When Nixa and Ozark square off on jamboree night Aug. 23 and for the Backyard Brawl on Oct. 18, Arvizu is due to be lining up at nose guard, while Cantwell will be at his customary left tackle post.
In one of the biggest shakeups of Ozark's summer camp, Arvizu is transitioning from defensive end to nose guard for his senior season. The move clears the way for Quentin Combs and Landon Baldwin to see snaps at defensive end.
Last year, Arvizu collected six TFLs and four quarterback sacks on his way to receiving All-COC honorable mention recognition.
“I don't like it as much. But it's better for the team,” Arvizu said of playing nose guard. “I want to get the job done for the team. I want to try my best to be the best for our team at that position.”
Arvizu is also fresh from finishing fourth at 215 pounds at the Class 4 State Wrestling Tournament.
"I'm one of the strongest guys on the team and (the coaches) feel I can hold down those double-teams that will come,” he said. “Since the start of the summer. I've been building up my interior D-line moves."
