Announcement
From the GAZETTE: By Jason P. Skoda, Staff Writer
Just like team, there is no "I" in Travs.
In that regard, Travs Travers is much like the rest of the Buckeye football team.
"We don't worry about anything other than doing our job," Travers said. "We have team goals, but there are no individuals on this team."
That said, Travers, a 5-foot-11, 255-pound senior defensive tackle, does stand out. And, it's not just because of his unique first name.
"Travs is a driving force on this team," first-year coach Chris Medaglia said. "He was in the weight room at 6 a.m. four, five times a week pushing everyone around him."
Travers, who also rotates on the offensive line as a guard, had two incidents that pushed him all offseason.
The first had to do with the playing field, as the Bucks just missed their first playoff appearance last season.
Buckeye finished 10th in the Division III, Region 10 computer rankings with 15.1500 points, which was .2384 behind the eighth and final spot.
"That's one extra rep, one 10-pound plate, one extra set," Travers said. "We were that close to making it and it really pushed us. It was a rallying point all offseason. We weren't going to let it happen again."
This season, the Bucks (6-1 overall, 1-1 in the Mohican Area Conference) have a hold of the eighth spot with three weeks to go.
The other impetus to Travers' season is more a matter of the heart.
His mother, Dale Andale, died around the Christmas holidays because of an allergic reaction to an antibiotic given to her for pneumonia.
"I told her I would make it to college," said Travers, who lives with his aunt, Sara Andale. "I don't have the greatest grades in the world, but I'm looking to play at any level.
"I do little things before each game to get myself ready and she is a big part of it."
That desire has led to Travers becoming a disruptive force to opposing offenses.
In the Bucks' 49-0 win over West Holmes last week, Travers destroyed a trap play, forcing a fumble that eventually led to a score.
"He studies so much tape that he knows what a team does out of certain formations," Medaglia said. "He absolutely destroyed that (West Holmes) kid.
"I told him I wouldn't want to be a running back playing against him because he'd be in your face all day."
Travers, whose bench press jumped from 270 pounds to 340, said his dedication in the film room is another reason he has become a better player.
"You can pick up so many things," said Travers, whose sophomore brother, B.J., is the starting linebacker for Westlake. "My key is the guard. He tells me where the play is going.
"I want to be a coach someday and watching tape is a way I can prepare for it."
Before Travers segues into coaching, the Bucks have a few more things to take care of this season.
"We haven't proven anything yet," he said. "If we beat Triway (a 27-23 defeat two weeks ago), maybe we could be getting more respect.
"That won't happen until we win (the MAC) and make the playoffs. Then we'll be known as a good team."
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