Indians fullback participates in U.S. Army National Combine

More than aware that energy is mass and speed multiplied, Riley Arvanitis has studied hard for his football physics test.

Through extensive off-season training, the Lake Central junior has added enough muscle to where he can clear a 400-pound bench press and 500-pound squat, and enough speed to get under 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

A tailback for most of his football career, which goes back to Pop Warner, Arvanitis was moved to fullback this past season so the Indians could better utilize his size as a blocker.

"I'm used to running the ball a little more," Arvanitis said, "but I've come to enjoy blocking ... return some hits to the defense."

On Jan. 5-7, Arvanitis was one of 500 of the nation's top underclassmen football players selected to participate in the U.S. Army Combine at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex. There, Arvanitis showcased his tools in a battery of physical tests and position drills.

In the 40-yard dash, Arvanitis was clocked in 4.64 seconds. In the 20-yard shuttle run, he did a 4.3 -- an flat 4.0 is often top of the class at the NFL Combine. His vertical leap was measured at 31.5 inches.

Arvanitis also had his height, weight and reach measured; and had a shirtless photo taken from the front to provide a visual image of his build and body type.

Arvanitis has been through this drill before.

"They have you do about the same stuff at the (National Underclass Combine)," said Arvanitis, who attended a NUC event last summer. "I pretty much know what to expect."

Now, Arvanitis awaits to see if he made the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for next year. The game, also played that weekend, featured seniors chosen from the combine the year before.

But before that, Arvanitis is looking forward to his final prep season.

"This is my only sport," he said. "When I'm not playing it, I'm training (at the South Suburban Sports Complex in South Holland) Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays."

Lake Central's next season will be the final for the core of the Tri Town Raiders 2007 Pop Warner National Championship-qualifying team.

"We're going to lose some guys who are going to graduate," said Arvanitis, whose father, Tim Arvanitis, coached the Pop Warner team. "But most of us are going to be back, and we're going to try to make the most of it."

Last season, Lake Central went 8-2 -- a reversal of a 2-8 showing the year before. But the Indians' upstart campaign ended abruptly in the first round of the sectionals when they lost to Merrillville, a team they had beaten earlier in the regular season.

After high school, Arvanitis will likely continue his career in college. He has already garnered interest from several schools.

"Right now, I haven't decided," he said. "But we would like to get it done before the season starts so I can concentrate on football."