- November 4, 2024
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When a family moves into a new home, very little thought is often given about the builders. And, in most cases on a football team, the defensive linemen, specifically the nose guards, get little recognition, although the nose guard is the foundation.
Standing at 5-foot-9, weighing a little over 200 pounds, Matanzas’ George Pardiny understands these positions well.
On days where he doesn’t have a game or football practice, Pardiny works construction with his family. With his hard hat, boots, jeans and tools, he and his family go to work on whatever assignment is given, and they finish, knowing that no one will know their names or throw them a party for a job well done. Nevertheless, Pardiny endures the Florida heat, its untamed rain schedule and the few months of low temperatures (for Floridians, at least). The same can be said about his family and him on the field.
He laces up his black and blue Adidas cleats, straps up his pads, fastens his helmet and goes to work on whatever defensive assignment he’s given, in the Florida’s heat, a muddy field and soon-to-be low temperatures. And, nevertheless, he takes care of business.
Coach Robert Ripley used one word to describe his nose guard’s personality.
“You have to be tough to play that position,” Ripley said.
Against offensive linemen, Pardiny usually gives up roughly five to eight inches and anywhere from 75 to 100 pounds, but his toughness makes up for it. Just ask the University of Florida commit at Mount Dora, whom Pardiny got the best of in Matanzas’ 41-2 win.
“He was a huge part of our success that night,” Ripley added. “He’s been a cog in our defensive success all year, and he’s only going to get better and stronger as he will be back next season.”
