When it comes to football, the spotlight often falls on the flashy plays, the dazzling touchdowns, and the jaw-dropping interceptions. But behind every successful touchdown pass or game-changing interception, there lies an unsung hero – a lineman. These guys may not always make it to the front page of the stat sheet, but their work in the trenches is the bedrock upon which football victories are built. In this article, we'll delve into the vital role and characteristics that make our Tomcat linemen so special to us and the success of our season.
From an offensive perspective, the linemen are like the guardians of a kingdom. Their primary duty is to protect the most precious asset on the field – the quarterback. Like many of the things we take for granted in our lives, when a job is done well, it often goes unnoticed. However, when something slips through the cracks, the mistakes shine brighter than any other error on the field and its easy to shift the blame. There isn't a yard gained on the field that our linemen aren't giving it their all, holding their ground to form a human wall around the quarterback, and/or being the driving force in creating running lanes for those behind them. When describing this act, you can't help but think of the word selfless: concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own. A quality that we can hope will continue to grow in these young men for years to come.
On the flip side, the defensive line serves as the disruptors of the game. They are the ones tasked with wreaking havoc on opponents, putting pressure on the quarterback, and stopping the run dead in its tracks. These guys are the backbone of the defense. While sacks and tackles for loss are often attributed to individual defenders, the success of the defensive line is a collective effort. These guys are a special group of young men that go into each game knowing that they lead the charge. There are no plays off, there isn't a chance to stop and think, and most importantly they've got to hold down the fort on a consistent basis or their brothers behind them won't get to experience success. Much like the qualities a father has when he has to get up and go to work every day.
To be a lineman in football is to embody sacrifice and commitment. They may not see it now, but these qualities make for great leaders in the community and fathers in the home. With that in mind we would like to highlight the guys that lead us up front on a weekly basis and want to thank them for all that they do! Without them, those Friday Night Lights just wouldn't be the same. As fans, let us not forget to applaud the linemen who pave the way for touchdowns and protect their quarterbacks with unyielding resolve. They are the unsung heroes of the gridiron, and their sacrifice and commitment deserve our admiration and respect. So, next time you're making your way down to the field after the last second has ticked off the clock, grab one of these young men and thank them for standing in the gap for their brothers!
Front Row: Payton Evans, Nathaniel Davis, Drake Franzeo, Wade Cole, Landon Daniel, Baylen Merriman
Back Row: Zane Young, Treyshaun West, CJ Richter, McKay Young, Damian Sanchez, Hayden Douglas, Cooper Ward
