Colburn Comments: The Bottom Line
There's absolutely no question, a good offensive line makes everyone else on offense better. Average quarterbacks, backs and receivers become good, even great, when they work with a strong offensive line.
Marion's Austin Hager is a punishing, determined runner who time and again makes extra yards after he's hit. I love watching him run. Hager clearly is at his best when he has an extra second or two to build up a head of steam.
The offensive line — Warrior guards Hank Collett and Jacob Czarnowsky, tackles Chase Williams and Matt Thierolf, center Bret Billings, and tight end John Barr III — gives him that time by neutralizing and pushing defenders backward.
A good offensive line makes quarterbacks and receivers better, too. MHS quarterback Mitchell Leppke was quick to credit better pass protection by the offensive line as the key to the success of Marion's passing game against Hoisington .
I get rankled when a reporter uses the term "skill positions" to describe quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers, as if all offensive linemen have to do is push someone out of the way.
Consider, for example, the center position. Billings has to make a clean exchange of the ball with the quarterback, while simultaneously firing out to block a disagreeable defender away from the path of the play.
That's no less skillful than a running back getting a clean handoff and looking for a hole to run through.
More challenging still is the long snap to a holder or a punter. Here's something to try at home to truly appreciate this skill.
Stop at Carlsons' Grocery and pick up a cantaloupe. Once home, roll down the driver's side window of your car halfway. Walk 20 to 30 feet away from your car with the cantaloupe. Face away from the car, bend over, and if you dare, try to hurl the melon between your legs through the open window. For even more realism, ask your spouse or neighbor to attempt to knock you down as you try this.
Perhaps that helps you to understand the precision a center must develop for making a long snap. A failed snap and the play is shattered, as surely as your car window.
Offensive linemen would have it easy if they could grab and tackle defenders, but they're constrained by rules like no other position. Mastering skillful technique is critical to successful blocking and avoiding harmful penalties.
Offensive linemen are the least-recognized players on the school gridiron. Stadium announcers never call the names of those who cleared the way for a big play. I've been equally guilty in my writing, for which I hope this column somewhat atones.
When you cheer a successful Warrior run or pass, remember to give kudos to the offensive line which made it possible.
