FLOSSMOOR | Homewood-Flossmoor senior Tommy Dobrez is not on the field very long, but he knows he has an impact on the game.
Or better yet, Dobrez wants to go unnoticed.
He is a long snapper and any error would be noticed, so he strives for perfection. In his case, if he does his job right, nobody notices.
"I take it seriously," Dobrez said. "Special teams are a big part of our game. We practice it all the time and my job, whether it is for a punt or extra point, is to make a perfect snap."
Dobrez earned his job after tearing the ACL and meniscus in left knee in 2011.
"The night before the (red and white) scrimmage, I was going up against Patrick Sheehan and I tore it," Dobrez said. "I was done after I had surgery and it hurt because I had played football my whole life. I rehabbed and worked hard, but Coach (Craig Buzea) decided it was best I didn't take a chance."
Dobrez call football play-by-play one day, but he is glad he could still play this season instead of watching the game from the press box. He wants to pursue career in sport broadcasting and works various sporting events, including basketball games on WHFH-FM, the school's radio station. In this case, he or at least his voice, is in the spotlight.
"I enjoy it and my friends always joke that I know 'too much' about sports," Dobrez said. "I love to talk sports and as part of my job as sports producer, I make sure we get something on everyday from each sport.
"It is a lot of fun to call (basketball) games and we try to do at least one game of every sport."
Buzea said while Dobrez would rather be out there giving hits, he has adjusted to his role.
"A lot of kids would not accept it, but Tommy is doing what is best to help his teammates," Buzea said. "He comes out here everyday and puts his time in. Special teams are important and I've been around long enough to know it can make a difference in a game."
Dobrez has to be ready to pay attention because as he said: "You never know when we get a Pick 6 and we are going to the extra point."
He said he works his arm out by throwing passes and watches the down and distance.
"Second-and-long on our side of the 50, I start doing some long snaps," Dobrez said. "If we are close in, I get ready to snap for a field goal or extra point."
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