The o-line – it's a rather ‘thankless job'
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Offensive linemen – can you name one? Talking about getting little or no respect, where is the late Rodney Dangerfield when needed?
Who blocked for Walter Payton? Who opened lanes for Emmitt Smith? Who protects Peyton Manning? Oh sure, everyone knows Tarik Glenn of the Indianapolis Colts has Manning's backside. That's because a couple of times each game the mammoth offensive left tackle pulls out too early, draws a yellow hanky and No. 78 is subsequently singled out unceremoniously by stadium announcers and television sportscasters alike.
On the home front, who blocked for Franklin Central running back Billy Goforth a year ago? He piled up hundreds of yards rushing – surely someone was up there on the line of scrimmage opening up a few holes.
Who is blocking this season for Josh Snyder? The junior running back with a determined running style only tallied five rushing touchdowns against Southport the last time the Flashes took the field. There must be something going on up there in the trenches.
“Offensive linemen have the most thankless job on the field,” says Jerry Lantz, in his fourth year of coaching the FC offensive line. “The only time that the average fan notices them is when they are flagged for a penalty. Only the most discerning fan can appreciate them.”
Lantz and his coaching cohort, Brian Spilbeler, both know first-hand that offensive linemen sometimes feel that they toil in almost total obscurity. Lantz was a two-way lineman during his prep days at Avon High School . Spilbeler is in his second year of coaching varsity linemen at Franklin Central. Spilbeler is somewhat of an exception to perception; he is remembered as an all-state performer on the 1998 Class 5A state champion Bloomington South football team. He was an offensive center, and his quarterback was Rex Grossman, now on the injured list of the Chicago Bears.
“If offensive linemen screw up they are blamed,” Lantz continues, “and if they do well it's the running back, quarterback or receivers who gets their name in the paper.”
Up until now. Meet the interior unknowns on the Franklin Central starting offensive line. The four seniors and one junior, by the way, answer to the names of Justin Duhamell, Zach Dugger, Garrick Mallery, Ross Pfeifer and Zach Wildauer. Or to almost any dinner bell, for that matter.
According to Lantz, strong tackle Duhammel (6-2, 230), center Mallery (5-11, 210) and quick guard Pfeifer (5-10, 200) are returning starters from a season ago. Senior Brad Taylor (6-2 by 290) was moved to defense.
“We still get to use Brad on offense on occasion,” Lantz acknowledges. “His experience and size come in handy around the goal line.”
Lantz provides the following capsule on each of FC's offensive line starters:
Strong tackle Justin Duhamell – No. 63. “Justin is playing some defense now, too, so he is getting a lot of playing time. He has been a pleasant surprise for us this year as he has developed into a leader for us up front. Being on the strong side, he typically will get the biggest and best athlete on the defensive line across from him, and he has handled that well.”
Center Garrick Mallery – No. 52. “Being a coach's son, Garrick has been around football all his life so he has a good knowledge of the game to start with. He has started every game at center last year and this year so far. He is a tough kid and is playing through some pain even now. It is nice to have a center start for more than a year, because it is such an important and tough job. Everything starts with him; if he doesn't get the ball to the quarterback each play without problems the play is doomed from the start.”
Quick guard Ross Pfeifer – No. 74. “Ross has been a very steady player for us. We started him at tackle in the preseason and then moved him to quick guard. That position moves a lot for us. He has good wheels and is a good hitter. He is probably our most versatile player on the line this year. We move him around when we have problems.”
Quick tackle Zach Dugger – No. 61. “Zach is not your typical tackle. He is a little light. He is usually by himself in pass protection so we wanted to have a quicker lineman on that side of the ball. He has learned fast. We first noticed Zach last year in practice when he was giving our offensivee line fits in practice from the other team's set defense. He made us notice him with his hard work and desire, and has done a very good job this year.”
Strong guard Zach Wildauer – No. 59. Zach is coming along very well. He is listening in practice, and while watching film and working on the coaching points we give him. He is the one underclassman starting for us this year. Zach will be our leader next year up front.”
Both offensive line coaches have been extremely pleased with the communication among the o-line to date.
“It is very important for members of the offensive line to talk to each other and to make sure the play is blocked correctly,” says Lantz. “Sometimes adjustments have to be made at the line, and those adjustments have to be made quickly. When you have a line that will talk it out each play, you have the basis for success.”
A Colts season ticket holder, Lantz points to what goes on at the line of scrimmage while Manning is dramatically orchestrating a play call in the Indianapolis backfield.
“You want a good example of line communication? Watch No. 63 (Jeff Saturday) for the Colts this weekend,” Lantz offers. “Everyone always notices Peyton and his talking and changing of plays. This time, watch the linemen talk. I also hope when people watch us play they will notice the same thing going on – communication among the linemen.”
Head coach Lance Scheib credits the offensive line for helping Franklin Central's running game show vast improvement on the year.
"The challenge for the offensive line,” Scheib says, “is to improve each and every day at practice to give us a chance to be successful on Friday night. I feel the offensive line has improved each week, but we feel we have a long way to go to reach our potential.”
Scheib also lauds the work of the offensive line coaches. “I feel Coach Lantz and Coach Spilbeler have done an outstanding job this season. Like our other players, the offensive line is fortunate to have the both of them coaching them to reach their full potential.”
Over the first five games for the 3-2 Flashes, Lantz notes there has been some success on offense.
“Even against Warren Central (No. 1 in 5A in Indiana and No. 5 in the nation), we had almost 400 yards in offense. For the season we have amassed 119 points. That's an average of 24 points a game; in most high school games where you score 24 points you win. Four or our first five opponents have been ranked in the Indianapolis Star's Top 15 when we played them, with Warren and Roncalli at No. 1 in 5A and 4A, respectively.
“Our running back (Josh Snyder) has scored nine touchdowns, and gained 475 yards on 80 carries for a 5.9 yards-per-carry average. Quarterback Alex Kiel has six TD passes and 1,032 yards through the air on 93 of 181 passing for a 59 percent completion rate
“With those stats,” Lantz voices in resting his case, “the o-line is doing something right.”
Other than an offensive line award given out each week by Franklin Central at a team meeting, the Flashes o-line is left to its rather “thankless task.” Until now!
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