Controlling the Line: The Unsung Heroes of a Victory

The glory in football doesn't go to the offensive line. It goes to the receiver that caught a 49 yard touchdown pass, or the running back that took the ball 89 yards to the end zone. But who opened that running lane? Who gave the quarterback the time to throw that streak or post? The answer? The offensive line.

The offensive line does more than jam their hands on the opponents chest at the snap of the ball. If a run play is called, the line blocks a certain way, known as a blocking scheme, which opens up running lanes for the quarterback or running back to run through. On a passing play, the offensive line holds back the defensive linemen from closing in on the quarterback. This gives the receivers the time to run their routes, and the quarterback time to read the defense. If the line doesn't communicate well, the pocket surrounding the quarterback will collapse, resulting in a sack.

From a defensive perspective, the defensive line's goal is to disrupt and destroy the offensive line's blocking scheme, and to get to the quarterback.

If the linemen on either side of the ball fail to do their part, the game will collapse, and this is why controlling the line is so vital in order to win a game.

"I think in certain parts of the game, we control the line." Coach Adams said.

"In the 1st half vs Columbia, but obviously not the 2nd half...again in the 1st half against Trinity...against Luthern West we definitely did."

And ultimately, the defensive linemen are the ones that delivered the shutout last week vs Fairport Harding.

Linemen are the ones who control the game. Only people don't always recognize that.