Albany offensive line the unsung heroes for semifinal-bound Lions

Their names aren't announced over the loud speaker following a big play. They don't appear in box scores.

They don't usually have the ball in their hands and if so, it's almost never by design.

But without them, as the Albany football team knows, none of their teammates' success would be possible.

Meet the offensive line

For the Lions, they comprise the offensive lineman and they're a big — although not so much physically — reason the team has reached the state semifinals for the second time in four seasons.

"To have a solid line to run behind, that’s kind of what keeps our offense real stable," senior running back Cutter Edgar said. "And being able to pass the ball, run the ball, it all comes back to the offensive line."

One of the most impressive aspects of Albany's success up front is the linemen's lack of overwhelming size. None of the team's starting offensive linemen — Kade Everitt (6-foot, 190 pounds), Payne Hebel (5-11, 175), Gerardo Rodriguez (5-7, 165), Tyler Beard (5-9, 195) and Ryder Wilkins (5-10, 215) — jump off the page physically. 

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Longtime Lions coach Denney Faith said he is used to working with undersized guys in the trenches, and his 299 career wins back that up.

The secret?

"Just hard work," Faith said. "These guys have done everything we've asked them to do. If you are undersized, a lot of times you have to play with great technique, and these guys have taken that to heart. Our offensive line coach, Coach (Jimmy) Fuentes, does a great job with them getting them coached up during the week.

"Playing offensive line's a lot like defense. I think a lot of it's just effort. If you can outwork somebody and give a little effort, then you give yourself a chance."

That strategy served them well this season. In district play, Albany was matched against players anywhere from 250 to 280 pounds. But the team utilizes a deliberate game plan to make up for the size mismatch.

"Most of the season there’s always been bigger guys lined up against us," Everitt said. "Coach Fuentes talks all year, ‘You’ve got to keep your technique. You’ve got to be fast coming off the ball and you'll win your battle.

"I think the offensive line has been pretty important, making sure we keep our blocks for a play. Sometimes for pass plays you’ve got to block a long time. But really, overall I think it's a team effort of everybody getting their job done together."

Seniors in the trenches

The Lions' offensive line was a question mark entering this season. Three starters graduated, leaving opportunities for new players. Everitt and Hebel, who play next to each other on the left side, were the two seniors left to lead the corps.

"We put a lot of pressure on our seniors in each position group," Faith said. "If we have a senior in that position group, we expect those guys to step up and take some responsibility and take some ownership of that position. (Everitt and Hebel) have certainly done that."

Both seniors agreed keeping their teammates on the line encouraged and confident is key. For Hebel, that is how last year's leaders worked with him.

"Henry (Kelly) always was reliable," Hebel said. "He was a good center. Wasn’t the biggest kid, but he got his job done. Nolan (Davis) was a really good guard. Harvey (Hinkle) was always a motivator, always had the words to make you want to keep driving, keep finishing."

In addition to coming together for a common cause during games, the offensive line has a relationship off the field that has contributed to its cohesiveness.

"It's kind of a closer bond because it's us five," Hebel said. "There's just that bond, being in the trenches and being on the line. It's a big factor. Us communicating what we're seeing, it plays a big part."

That bond is strengthened by skill players, especially Edgar, who understands what it's like in offensive linemen's shoes.

"We all have been together for so long," Edgar said. "There's been offensive linemen playing receiver spots in junior high. I guess we've all got a taste of offensive line. My sophomore year, I actually was on the O-line whenever we played going into regionals.

"I guess we've all been in the position where we've had to step up and play lineman, and I just give a lot of credit to those guys who have stuck with it. They really help out the team."

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More their size

Unlike other matchups, the linemen playing opposite Albany this week are comparable in size, Faith said. But he understands firsthand that that doesn't always determine the trench battle. After all, Gruver (13-1) averages 50 points per game with similarly sized linemen.

"Really, truly they have one really good-sized lineman. Other than that, they're pretty comparable with us this week," Faith said. "It's not like we're going to be overmatched size-wise this week.

"That's good going in, but then again, when you're playing smaller linemen, as we know, a lot of times they can be very athletic, too. It's a different dynamic that you have to try to coach against."

And while they may be the same size, Everitt knows nothing will come easy Thursday night in Plainview.

"At this point, every team is good," he said. "So, we're expecting a good, hard-fought battle. We're expecting it to be a tough game all around...Obviously if you're this far (in the playoffs), your coaches, they teach you well. They teach you good technique and all. So, we've got to come out prepared, and in the end have better technique."

Win this game, then think Arlington

Faith said he hasn't had to tell his players about the importance of Thursday's semifinal. The Lions know what lies ahead of them, and after feeling slighted during an 0-5 start, the team is ready to continue proving doubters wrong.

"Since the beginning of the year, nobody really believed in us," Hebel said. "If you told somebody at the beginning of the year (Albany would reach the semifinals), they wouldn't believe that. So, it's a pretty big accomplishment that we've been able to work and adjust to be able to get these games."

But the team also knows it's not time to start thinking about Jerry World. Not yet.

"It's pretty exciting to know we're one game away from making it to state," Everitt said. "But we've got to take it one game at a time. And this week's game is all that matters right now."