Skyhawks’ Bohman sets high standards

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2000 | 10:01 a.m.

A look at V.R. Bohman:

School: Silverado

Position: OT/DL

Year: Senior

Height: 6-4

Weight: 265

Notes: Started all 10 games along offensive line for Skyhawks in 1999; recorded 30 tackles, five for a loss, one sack and one fumble recovery last season; second team All-Sunrise Division offensive tackle; placed third at 275 pounds at 2000 4A state wrestling meet

Said Skyhawks coach John DeNardin: "He has very good intensity, he does all the blue collar work and he came in in awesome shape. He's the type of player we can build things around."

Like a player hoping to impress his coaches and win a starting spot, V.R. Bohman arrives first for Silverado's football practice nearly every day.

Of course, Bohman doesn't need to impress anyone. One of Southern Nevada's top returning two-way linemen, the 6-4, 265-pound senior was a lock to start on both sides of the ball long before the first preseason practice.

For Bohman, it's all about intensity. He practices the way he plays, and he knows that if he can set a positive example for his younger teammates in the process, the team can only benefit.

"It's a really important job for all the returning seniors to show them the intensity and set the tempo for them like our seniors did last year," Bohman said.

In 1999, the Skyhawks broke through with the school's first playoff berth after a stellar 7-2 regular season. But for Bohman, winning is nothing new. His first two years, he was a part of Silverado freshmen and junior varsity teams that put together winning seasons, and he's looking to make it 4-for-4.

"Our seniors have always had winning seasons all the way through," Silverado coach John DeNardin said. "They know what it takes to win football games. They know you have to do the little things, like spend time in the weight room in the off-season."

Offered Bohman, "In previous years, the commitment to the weight room hadn't been great, and the varsity program wasn't as successful. We got in the weight room and put in the time, and that's carrying over to the season."

As if he needed any, Bohman had extra incentive to hit the weights this summer. A mainstay at offensive tackle and a part-time starter on the defensive line as a junior, Bohman will be a full-time two-way starter in 2000 -- something he has always hoped for.

"Ever since I was a freshman, playing both ways is something I've wanted to do," Bohman said. "I love being out there every play. I wouldn't trade it in for anything."

Someday, Bohman hopes to trade in his helmet for a stethoscope and follow in his father's footsteps to medical school. An honor student with a 4.0 grade-point average, Bohman has drawn interest from Stanford, BYU, UCLA and Kansas and plans to continue playing football at the next level.

For now, he'll try to lead the Skyhawks to the Southeast Division title and, possibly, beyond.

"Our goal is to be division champs and go as far as we can," Bohman said. "We've all worked really hard, and we're confident we can go do it."