Kevin Glascock, a junior linebacker at Lackey High School, watched the first two games of the season from the sidelines with an injured left knee. As others watched and studied junior running back Morgan Green, trying to figure out how he could be so hard to stop, Glascock was eyeing the Lackey defense.

Glascock's return added another element to a gifted defense that provides as much of Lackey's identity as Green's area-best 2,429 rushing yards. The Chargers allowed just six points in Glascock's absence and didn't allow any in his first two games back this season.

Once Glascock joined the fray, the defense began to realize its potential. When Glascock was confined to the sideline, [Scott Chadwick] said, Lackey not only didn't have a true middle linebacker but also was weaker elsewhere because another player had to move into Glascock's spot.