HIGHLAND | Five double cheeseburgers in one sitting, each day, and eventually you'll have to grease the door jams to squeeze through.

Coty Anderson wasn't that bad off, not yet. But he sensed something wasn't right on the football field when he couldn't get out of his own way.

Two words: Junk food.

"It's a temptation because it's so cheap," said the Highland lineman. "For $5, you can get five double cheeseburgers and you're good to go -- versus going to Subway and getting one foot-long for $5. Five double cheeseburgers is a lot more to eat.

"It's convenience. You get out of practice, you're hungry, and the drive-thru is right there."

Anderson loves playing football and has the potential to play at a small college somewhere. But to earn that right he had to show greater discipline with a knife and fork.

"He came in as a sophomore and started getting significant playing time for us on the defensive side of the ball. He did a great job," said coach Eric Miller. "Last year, of course, was a tough season for everybody. But he came in overweight. I think maybe that sophomore year went to his head a little bit.

"But the biggest thing I've seen from that to his senior year is the maturity and leadership that has grown immensely by talking to the younger kids, helping 'em out, being a vocal leader, keeping people motivated and encouraging them. That aspect has been awesome."

Anderson said he weighed 240 pounds his sophomore season, shot up to 305 as a junior, and now weighs 270 with hopes of reaching 260.

"He's come into camp in great shape," Miller said. "Dropping that excess weight has made him 10 times quicker. He's playing much better. This is good weight for him to be at.

"He's a player. Everybody can be good, but I think he's got the 'want' to be good. We see it out here on the practice field."

And on his dinner plate, which now includes more salad, vegetables and less fat.

"I wanted to be the best I could be and more effective on the line," Anderson said. "When I started losing weight, I got so much faster and stronger. It was like: 'Wow, look at this. I gotta keep it going.'"

When Anderson's weight ballooned his junior year, he felt like he was running with cement blocks on his feet. His stamina was kaput. Starting at guard and defensive tackle, he was gassed by the opening coin flip.

"I'm hoping for the next level," he said. "I figure if I'm faster and moving at 270, (scouts) will start looking. I feel amazing right now. My strength is there. I'm not winded any more.

"I don't want to see a double cheeseburger now. It makes me sick."