Phantoms' success hinges with the guys up front

FLORENCE — During their nine-game winning streak, the Florence Phantoms have relied on a defense that has stymied opponents and an offense that can score at will.

While Omar Jacobs, A.J. Bennett and Larry Thompson have garnered headlines on both sides of the ball, there are several players who have been easily overlooked.

The men on the offensive and defensive lines don’t often get front-page coverage or television and radio interviews. But they have been solid units vital to the Phantoms’ success this season.

One man has turned these units into unstoppable and feared forces. With an easygoing coaching style, Mike Watson has gotten the best out of his players.

“Mike Watson is a fine coach who has done a fine job for our team this year,” Florence coach Tavares Bowens said. “The players love him. He adds southern flavor to the fried chicken known as our offensive and defensive lines.”

Familiar face

Watson knows what the community wants from him and his team because he is a member of the community.

As the only coaching holdover from last year’s team, Watson feels his tie to the community was the biggest reason for his retention.

“I’m local. I live here in the community, so of course I think that had a lot to do with me being here,” he said. “The team needed to retain some sort of face recognition with the fans.”

A native of Aiken, Watson was previously a member of law enforcement before entering the coaching ranks, serving as chief of police in Scranton and as an officer in the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Watson got his first taste of coaching as the offensive line coach at Aynor High School. From there, he coached at Carolina Academy for a year.

“First of all, I have a passion for the game,” Watson said. “I got into coaching as a favor to coach Marty Jacobs. That two-week favor turned into six years as the offensive line coach.”

Watson added that his biggest challenge was adjusting to the indoor game.

“The adjustment from outdoor football to indoor football was interesting because of the scheme,” he said. “This is a speed game where your offensive line is always outnumbered, so you have to maintain your fundamentals.”

Keeping his job
When Bennie King was hired as general manager of the Phantoms in January, he took the team on an extreme makeover in an effort to change the culture of the franchise.

Coaches, front office staff and even the players were replaced en route to putting a winner on the field.

King, however, believed Watson could contribute to bringing a winner to Florence.

“When I came to Florence, the first person I met was Mike Watson. He told me he wanted to win a championship,” he said. “He bought into our system and the relationship with our other coaches has been great.”

“I made contact with the new staff and expressed my desire to return to the team,” Watson added. “I can only thank Bennie for having me back on the staff. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s been a wonderful ride.”

Protecting the quarterback

As the Florence Phantoms prepare for Friday night’s AIFA Championship Bowl II against Wyoming, a major key to ultimate victory will be protecting Jacobs from the Cavalry’s pass rush.

That hasn’t been much of a problem this season. Jacobs has barely been breathed on, especially during the winning streak.

“We don’t do anything complicated. He just tells us to play ball,” offensive/defensive lineman Ryan Brown said of Watson. “Omar’s a great quarterback, and our only job is to protect him.”

“We have, without a doubt, the best offensive line in the league. They’re as good as anyone out there,” Watson said. “When you’ve got kids like Ryan Beneby, Reggie Butler and Junior Louissaint, all you have to do is have them run the drills and give them their blocking assignments.

“They are a pure joy to coach. I’ve learned as much from them as they have from me.”

Watson’s offensive line has allowed just 17 sacks — three in the last nine games — a cause for pride among the entire unit.

No one is more appreciative of those numbers than Jacobs.

“(The offensive linemen) been nothing short of amazing,” said Jacobs, who has thrown 66 touchdown passes and just 13 interceptions. “You have to give them a lot of credit because without them, there’s no me.”

Other side of the ball
Just as the offensive line has allowed Florence to blow out opponents, Watson’s defensive line has kept scores low.

The Phantoms have racked up 29 sacks this season, fifth in the AIFA. Corey Groover, Leonard Moore, Ryan Brown and Al’Tariq Brown have combined for 24.

“He drills them when they don’t feel like working, and that’s a plus,” Bowens said of Watson. “These guys know how to play the game. He just works with them on their fundamentals.”

“(Watson) is the reason why I came back,” said Groover, who has a team-leading nine sacks. “When he came here last year, we got better on the defensive line.

“I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t here.”

One wish

After following a season of trouble in 2007 with a winning team in 2008, Watson asks for one thing — to see a packed house at the Florence Civic Center as the Phantoms attempt to capture the AIFA title.

“I would like to invite all my friends, family and associates to come down to the Civic Center and watch us play,” he said. “We have to bring a championship home. And with help from the people of Florence, we can do it.”