Chang, Hosseinion serve as important building blocks for Flintridge Prep

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at about 205 pounds, Flintridge Prep senior quarterback Andrew Tsangeos is hard to miss.

The three-year starter is set to run an option offense in which he will on occasion be called upon to carry the ball into the teeth of opposing defenses.

With Tsangeos’ size and penchant for contact, it would perhaps seem prudent for the Rebels to invest in a back-up plan if not in a back-up quarterback.

Yet, Tsangeos isn’t worried and neither is new head coach Glen Beattie.

That’s because while Tsangeos will indeed be the cornerstone of the Rebels’ foundational success in 2015, the team also has a pair of important building blocks in senior center Arthur Chang and junior right guard Warren Hosseinion, who will serve as a protective wall in front of the signal-caller.

“Before defenses can get to Andrew, they’re going to have to get through Arthur and Warren,” Beattie said. “They’re both three-year varsity guys and a lot will be expected.”

Chang steps in at 6-3 and 250 pounds and has drawn some interest at the next level.

Before he ships off to college, he has an important position on the squad.

“I have to take control of the line and call out our plays,” Chang said. “I’ve got to make sure Andrew doesn’t get sacked. We’re going to do a lot more passing this year and we can only do that if he’s protected.”

Tsangeos is coming off a season in which he was tabbed both an All-Area second-team selection after throwing for 22 touchdowns and 1,319 yards along with 11 rushing touchdowns and 426 yards on the ground.

“I’m the first to say my success wouldn’t have happened without the guys in front of me,” Tsangeos said. “I look at Arthur and he’s 100% bought in now. He hasn’t been playing football long, but now he knows the game. He knows his reads.

“He’s gone to a couple of college camps with me and he knows what the colleges are teaching. He knows his job.”

Which is what exactly?

“I have to make sure Andrew doesn’t get sacked,” Chang said. “The guy could be a running back with his side and speed, but it’s better that he’s our quarterback. Even though he likes contact, it’s our job to limit it for him as much possible.”

While Chang will provide the leadership, 6-foot, 250-pound Hosseinion will provide the attitude.

“Warren is kind of our – and I know it sounds weird – meanest guy who likes to hit people,” Beattie said. “Arthur likes to hit people, but Warren likes to really hit people.”

While the focus for defenders will be on taking down Tsangeos, it may also be wise to keep an eye on the roving Hosseinion.

“Last year we ran Warren on most of our pulls and he was our lead guy,” Beattie said. “We watched video a couple of weeks ago from last season and you see Warren downfield 15 to 20 yards. He’s downfield leading the running back. That’s what we expect, what they did last year, but better.”

Throughout a post-practice conversation, Hosseinion flashes a wide grin and chuckles frequently.

The Glendale resident hardly seems like the team’s big, nasty enforcer, at least at first.

“I think of myself as a leader on the team and it’s my job to help the younger guys,” Hosseinion said before switching into his game face. “But, my most important job is to block for my quarterback and running backs. Nobody is going to touch them without seeing me first.”

Beattie and the Rebels will rely heavily on the duo and the rest of the offensive line as the squad graduated its two top running backs from last year along with its No. 1 receiver.

Perhaps on a larger team or at a bigger school, Chang and Hosseinion would only have to worry about one role.

However, at smaller Flintridge Prep, where so many athletes play both ways, the duo will also see action on the other side of the ball as defensive linemen.

Suddenly, a caring and protective discourse flips.

“When I’m on defense, I’m just thinking about sacks all day,” said Hosseinion, a tackle. “It’s not too different from offense. On defense, if we don’t do our job, it’s tough for the rest of the team to do its.”