In the Huddle: Is the offensiveman position overlooked in football?

This article was written by DeMatha Stagline writer Marcus Minor 

Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running-backs get a lot of attention. A position that is overlooked most of the time is the offensive line. This group of positions is a tough group that doesn’t get a lot of glory, but often times are truly responsible for a team winning or losing. If the offensive line has a weakness the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running-backs won’t be successful.

When stag’s center Victor Oluwatimi and guard Zach Lyons were asked why they chose this position, they both answered, “It wasn’t that we chose that position; it was pretty much given to us based off size and strength ability.”

High school is the time when most players are able to learn the game and understand the process of all the positions on the field. When asked about they’re role on the team, Victor and Zach commented, “This a position where we have to block another person to create holes for the running back to go through to move the ball. We also have to create a pocket for the quarterback so he is able to throw the ball to a wide receiver.”

They don’t believe playing line is a hard job. Victor said “I would think otherwise we have to be able to push and hold a block long enough so a play can develop; having a person come full speed at you and stopping them in their place is not easy. We also have to be able to pick up the scheme of a defense so we can create a positive play.”

It’s heard that linemen don’t get a lot of credit for their work and get no shine for what they do. They both said, “We don’t get any shine because we don’t score, we don’t make big catches, or big throws. We do know that without us the offense would not be successful; we might not get the praise we want, but if our job isn’t done we are the first to be criticized. To avoid that we have to excel at our job and aim for perfection.”

Many people say it’s harder to play offensive line than it is to play defensive line. They responded to the statement by saying “That is true. We as a group have to be able to pick up a scheme to a defense every play. All the defensive line has to do is be able to play the gap and make a play. It’s as simple as that.”

The DeMatha Stagline is the official student newspaper of the DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland 

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