Pueblo West's two-way starting lineman Vladimir Dabovich serves up 'pancakes' on game days

Watching game highlights of Vladimir Dabovich, the word pancake comes to mind.

Pancake is a term used in football circles that describes an offensive player driving a defensive player to the ground, smashing them like a pancake.

Dabovich is a two-way starting lineman for the Pueblo West High School football team, playing both offensive guard and defensive tackle.

At 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, Dabovich can move and is athletic. And that's a problem for opponents.

Pueblo's top football linemen:Big men breakdown: A look at 7 of Pueblo's top high school football linemen

"On offense, I think about opening holes and getting pancakes," Dabovich said.  "I try and get three to four a game."

Pueblo West head coach Clint Buderus is impressed by the work ethic of Dabovich.

"The thing about him people don't understand is the work he puts in outside our building," Buderus said. "He's one of the hardest workers I've ever coached. He always says, 'Yes, sir. No, sir.' He comes from a great family."

Dabovich admitted it has taken some time for his offense and offensive line to find itself.

"It was a little frustrating at first," Dabovich said, pointing to a poor offensive performance in Pueblo West's season-opening 27-0 loss to Pine Creek. "We were trying to get in the motion of playing and playing against a good team like Pine Creek was a big jump.

"Last year we played only four games and we had a bunch of seniors who graduated so we are pretty young on the offensive line. Now, we're getting a feel for things and guys are starting to step up."

Pueblo West wins Pigskin:3 Takeaways from Pueblo West's 48-0 win over Pueblo County in annual Pigskin Classic

Dabovich also participates in track and qualified for state in the shot put and discus last spring. Those two events have many similar qualities with football as far as footwork is concerned.

"In the shot put and discus you use your lower body strength and footwork," he said. "It's all about lower-body explosiveness.

"It all correlates with football. Getting to the second level you have to have quick feet and good lateral movement."

Dabovich talks about all the work he puts in to become a better athlete and player.

"Over the offseason, I train in Denver and I also train at my house," he said. "I'm fortunate to have a pretty good family. We've built a small football field that I work out on and I lift (weights) every day, sometimes twice a day.

"I want to be the best lineman to ever come out of Pueblo West, leave a legacy and work toward the next level."

Buderus has noticed the difference in Dabovich this season.

"The thing he's improved most is his leadership ability," Buderus said. "As a three-year starter, he understands what we're trying to do and has become a leader on the offensive line.

"On defense, he's a lot to handle for offenses. He hasn't played a ton (on defense) and has been rotating in and out. But as the season goes he'll play more and more.

"He does a great job no matter where he is on the field. It's always about team first with him. He moves good, has good feet and it comes from the work he puts in. He has God-given skills but he puts in the time to master his craft."

Dabovich said he's mulling over the possibility of playing basketball this season but his first love is football and he believes that's where his future lies.

"I have a couple offers right now (from Western Colorado and a school in Wisconsin) but I'd really like to play at CU (University of Colorado)," he said. "I went to junior day to visit to see if I liked it and I did." 

Chieftain senior sports  reporter Jeff Letofsky can be reached by email at jletofsky@chieftain.com or on Twitter @jeffletofsky