The Irresistible Force: Cheyenne's McGruder

Lynn McGruder is tired of finishing second.

Since bursting onto the Las Vegas prep scene last summer, the 6-2, 285-pounder from Texas has been part of two Cheyenne teams favored to win state titles.

In both cases, however, the Desert Shields came up just short, winding up second in the zone in football and second in the state in basketball.

So even though he was already considered Nevada's top returning defensive lineman, McGruder spent the summer before his senior year working hard to make sure he and his teammates don't come up short again.

"Sitting at home for the state (football) championship wasn't a good feeling," said McGruder, known to his friends as "Bobo." "I've never been this close to something, where I could just reach out and grab it. Now, I know what it takes to get to the next level."

For McGruder, that meant a summer working out with his uncle, former UNLV star and current Arena Football League player Hunkie Cooper, with whom McGruder has lived since transferring to Cheyenne from Texas' Palestine High School.

"Last summer, I just went through the motions until I got out here in July," McGruder said. "But since I've moved in with my uncle, he never lets me give up. He says if I fail, he fails."

Last year, as a starting defensive tackle for a Cheyenne team that racked up 11 straight wins before falling to Cimarron-Memorial in the zone championship, McGruder rarely failed to make his impact felt.

Showing an equal knack for getting to the quarterback and stopping tailbacks in their tracks, McGruder quickly earned the respect of opposing coaches, many of whom began double-teaming him and running plays away from his side.

"You could tell he was a player right away by his overall ability to get to the football, use his speed and deliver blows," Cheyenne coach George Perry said. "He's a man among boys, and teams have to pay attention to what he's doing."

For his part, McGruder welcomes whatever his foes throw his way, understanding that commanding a double-team is just another way to help his club.

"I'll be on the ground the whole game, but it will be cool," he said with a wide smile on his face. "If they focus on me it opens up plays for my teammates."

This fall, opponents will see a lot more of McGruder, who will also start along the offensive line for the first time in his four-year varsity career.

"It will be a lot tougher, being out there for every play," McGruder admitted. "But it comes with the territory.

As does being under the watchful eye of college recruiters, who are lining up in hopes of signing McGruder. Already he has been offered scholarships by approximately 15 colleges, including Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA and California.

"I always dreamed for this day," he said. "For any college to offer me a scholarship is the best thing in the world. I'll play anywhere, to tell the truth."

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