This story was published Saturday, November 12th, 2005

By Ben Reynolds Herald staff writer

PROSSER -- Wherever Jay Dodd stands on the sideline, Nick Edwards is not too far behind.

Bouncing around, asking for a chance to play, the Prosser senior pleads with his defensive line coach to play a series. It has gotten to the point where Edwards said he has stalked his coach, waiting to hear his No. 59 get called.

Usually that does not describe the loops that the top pass rusher on a team has to go through for playing time. But when your offense typically has put the game out of reach by halftime, Edwards has spent a lot of time wandering the sideline in the second half.

Repeatedly, he has been told to wait. His time will come.

"We don't like a lot of our guys to play both ways," said longtime Prosser coach Tom Moore. "But he'll be in there at crunch time and when we need him to make a play."

And that time has come starting today, when the Mustangs enter the 3A state playoffs against an Ellenburg team they squashed 60-12 just nine days ago to capture the Mid-Valley League title -- their third in a row.

"Everyone has told me, 'Once we get to the playoffs and play bigger teams, you'll get to play,' " Edwards said.

Even though Edwards makes jokes about not playing, he understands why he is being rested on the sideline. So when he nudges his coach, they tell him to look at the bigger picture. The season doesn't hinge on a second-half tackle in the middle of a blowout. It matters in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line.

But not too many Prosser games have hinged on a play in the fourth quarter. Edwards, who is in his first year as the starting center on offense, has focused a lot of his energy this season on improving his blocking on the offensive line.

The Mustangs showcase one of the most potent and quick-hitting offenses in the state. In their latest win, Prosser put up 26 points in less than seven minutes in the second quarter to break open its game with Selah on Tuesday in the regional playoffs.

Most of Edwards' duties this season have been giving quarterback Kellen Moore ample time to throw in the pocket and opening gaping holes for Ivan Merino to run through. Moore has put up gaudy numbers, throwing for 3,139 yards and 41 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions, while Merino was second in the Mid-Valley with 1,284 yards rushing on just 171 carries.

"Moore is phenomenal," Edwards said. "Our offense is just awesome."

Edwards has been a key cog in that success, along with three other seniors on the line in Cameron Brophy, Ty Hartley and Jake Martin.

"We have really came a long ways," said Martin, the elder statesman of the line after starting seven games last season as a junior.

At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Edwards said it can get a little intimidating playing against guys three to four inches taller than him and at times 80 pounds heavier than him.

"You have to learn to stay low," he said, laughing. "There are some pretty big guys out there."

But his real hunger is for defense.

In the Mustangs' season opener against a highly touted Wilsonville, Ore., team, on the first two series he played in, Edwards forced a fumble and recovered another.

In the title-clinching victory over the Bulldogs, his time again was limited, but he managed to make some of the hardest hits in the game and forced a fumble.

"I love being out there," Edwards said. "I like being the hitter."

He just can't wait for a few more chances.