Pelham offensive line sets the tone

Pelham’s offensive stars such as Kendrick Patterson, Treun Pace, Javoris Williams, Darrell Starling, Jordan Bennett and Malik Mango get the headlines and accolades for the offense that has put up huge numbers, but without a talented and committed offensive line, none of that would be possible.

“We have told them all season they are the tone-setters,” Pelham offensive line coach Jason Blair said of his line. “To win, we have to dominate the line of scrimmage on both the offensive and defensive line. The game is won or lost in the trenches. You have to win the trenches to win the game.”

Blair and the Hornets were working late into the evening Monday night in a cold northern wind to prepare for the Hornets’ biggest challenge of the year Friday night. The Hornets will travel to Ocilla to face the state’s top-ranked team in Irwin County (12-0) for a chance to advance to the state championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Pelham’s offense has put racked up more than 4,300 yards this season and is averaging almost 50 points a game with an offensive line that doesn’t even have a senior in the group. Jaylan Smoak and Dallas Washington are juniors, Austin Davis and MJ Martin are sophomores and Jaramiah Vicks is a freshman. Together they make up Pelham’s offensive line, and all but Davis also play on the starting defensive line. Davis is the center for the offense.

“These guys are versatile,” Blair said. “The tackles can play guard and the guards can play tackle. They are athletic, they hustle. They get to the ball and they get in the right places.”

“Everybody who knows football knows the game is won up front,” said head coach Dondrial Pinkins. “Our guys up front have done a phenomenal job this season. Coach Blair has put together a group that works and is focused. Everything starts with the guys up front. No running back or quarterback can do anything if their line is not doing what they are supposed to.”

Patterson, Williams, and Bennett in the skill positions such as quarterback, running back and wide receiver get the accolades and the headlines, but the guys on the line at Pelham are not worried about that.

“These guys are all about the team,” said Blair. “They are unselfish, they are not worried about being in the newspaper. They are focused on helping the team win. They are focused on winning.”

If Pelham is going to take that one more big step to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to play for the state championship, the guys on the line will be the ones to make the big push for the Hornets.

“We are working on being ready right now,” said Blair. “We are getting prepared.”