Author: Tim O’Donnell
Protecting the blindside of the quarterback and creating holes for running backs are tasks on the periphery of the football spotlight. The work of an offensive lineman is often regarded as the dirty work of the sport; the work that Occidental left tackle Dalton Spinas (senior) embraces as he sacrifices his body in the midst of a fierce trench battle with charging defensive linemen.
The Tiger football program has undergone significant changes during Spinas’ career, including three different head coaches and offensive line coaches. But Spinas has remained a reassuring and constant stronghold, very much in the mold of his favorite National Football League (NFL) offensive lineman, Cleveland Browns’ left tackle Joe Thomas, a player who has never missed a game in six NFL seasons.
Following Thomas’ model of consistency, Spinas himself is a four-year starter. He began his final season this fall demonstrating leadership abilities and grabbing the attention of first-year head coach Doug Semones. Semones quickly named Spinas co-captain and cited the 6-foot-3, 270-pound lineman’s presence as a key component in helping an all-new coaching staff adjust to Occidental.
The black and orange also has a youthful squad this season, with many underclassmen taking on large roles in the offense, especially on the line. Spinas views it as his job to ensure the young bigs become accustomed to the play calling and that all five players work as one cohesive group.
“Senior year, it’s my job to keep everyone else in line,” Spinas said. “You can have four out the five [linemen] play well, but if one guy doesn’t do his job, it can hurt the entire play.”
Spinas anchors the offensive line from arguably the most important position in football. He began the season at left guard, but the coaching staff soon realized they needed more athleticism on the outside. Spinas rose to the challenge, emerging as one of the best exterior linemen in the SCIAC conference according to Semones and Brian Smith, the Tigers’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
Before arriving on campus, Spinas was named first-team all-league, first-team All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), league offensive lineman of the year and team MVP at Atascadero High School in Atascadero, Calif. He also excelled at track and field, competing in shot put and discus.
Starting running back Kwame Do (sophomore), who has 53 carries for 282 yards and two touchdowns through the first three games of the season, credits Spinas as being instrumental to his success.
“Running behind [Spinas], you can’t really compare it to anything,” Do said. “I always know that whenever I’m following him on a pull, I have the chance to make a play because of him.”
Along with superior skill, Spinas also brings an aggressive style to the Tiger offensive line, never giving in to the opposing defense. Spinas developed his passionate style of play from his earliest days of “Pee Wee” football. He is by no means a dirty player, but instead an imposing physical presence who is not afraid to play through the whistle.
Despite his viciousness between the lines, Spinas walks with a quiet, even-tempered demeanor off the field. He is driven and focused in all aspects of his life, not just football. An economics major, he understands the substantial commitment required to succeed academically at Occidental.
“My goal has always been to take care of my academic responsibilities without sacrificing any time towards football,” he said. “I think my ability to do that has given me an advantage.”
Smith also noticed his hard work throughout the summer, as both Spinas and fellow co-captain Tommy Edwards (senior) stayed on campus to train while also performing tasks such as repainting the Tiger locker room.
It is Spinas’ voice that the players often hear before games, as he ignites the squad with his energy.
“From the minute [the new regime] got here, he’s taken on a leadership role,” Semones said. “He wants to see improvement, so he can finish his senior year on a positive note.”
In his final season, Spinas hopes to use his inspirational leadership, unwavering passion and physical play to help Occidental rebound from a tough season in 2012 (2-7 overall, 2-5 SCIAC). He also set defeating Redlands and Cal Lutheran as specific major goals. In his previous three years at Occidental, the Tigers have not beaten either SCIAC rival and after Saturday’s 38-21 loss to Redlands, a victory over Cal Lutheran on Oct. 26 is the final opportunity to do so.
But in the end, Spinas does not need his legacy enshrined in the trophy room.
“I just want to be remembered by my teammates and to go out playing at a high level,” he said.
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