Linemen looking to be more consistent

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Warren County’s Chris King (52) and Greg Cotten haul down Lebanon’s Darrin Shockley in the backfield, while the Pioneers’ Matt Panter (68) closes in during Lebanon’s second possession of Wednesday’s scrimmage at Lebanon. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

LEBANON — Every positive football play begins with solid blocking up front, just as every good stop comes from getting around your opponents’ blockers.

While Warren County had its share of success in the trenches Wednesday, assistant coach Matt Turner said consistency among the Pioneer linemen is a problem that needs to be corrected.

“The offensive line was explosive at times, but wasn’t that consistent,” said Turner, a former Pioneer standout who joined the varsity staff this season. “The got a little more consistent as we went, but they got more winded, too.”

Runs up the middle were stopped short on the Pioneers’ first few drives, as Lebanon’s defenders were able to penetrate successfully and bust up plays behind the line of scrimmage.

But on the team’s fourth possession, T.J. Jarvis and Jimmy Cunningham found big holes and turned in 33- and 25-yard runs, respectively, setting up the Pioneers’ first touchdown.

Turner said while his offensive linemen were finding the correct block to open holes for their ball carriers, they had trouble early holding the block long enough for runners to get upfield.

“We’ve got to sustain those blocks,” he said. “We’re just like a running back — when we lock on, we’ve got to run our feet just like a ball carrier has to run his feet when he’s starting to get tackled.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Pioneer linemen’s most impressive stand came midway through Wednesday’s scrimmage. After a long Lebanon TD pass was called back on a penalty, the Pioneers pushed the Blue Devils even further back, with a group tackle behind the line and a sack from Greg Cotten helping eventually force a Lebanon punt.

“We’ve got a little better rotation on the defensive line, and they started getting after it,” Turner noted. “When they made a few good plays, they started feeling it. That gave them a little momentum, when they started feeling what it was like to get back behind the line and make a stop.”

Turner admitted while he saw several positive things Wednesday, much improvement is needed up front between now and the Pioneers’ Aug. 23 season opener.

“We’ve just got to go back to work,” he said. “We’re going to have to gear up a whole lot.

“We’ve got to get more consistent on the offensive line; staying on blocks longer, and doing it on every play. Defensively, we’ve got a ways to go. We’ve got to get a feel for it.

“But they’re learning. They’re understanding what we’ve got to do, and they’re getting there.”