Talia Massi is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Hamilton High School for AZPreps365.com

One of the most underappreciated positions in football is the offensive line. 

With no statistics or points behind their hard work, the O-line gets very little praise, if any.

Hamilton goes out of its way to credit its extremely talented and hard-working offensive line with a catchy nickname — Tuck’s Tanks. 

The name originated from long-time psychology teacher and basketball coach Scott Reed. 

Reed has been announcing the football games since the school opened in 1998.

The nickname just “came out,” one game about three years ago.

Reed said something to the effect of, “‘That last drive, the offensive line was a bunch of tanks… and it just came out, Tuck’s Tanks,” Reed said. 

Its meaning is a tribute to Mark Tucker, Hamilton’s offensive line coach.

Tucker has also been with the school since its inception. He is a USC graduate, an ex-NFL player, an ex-American Gladiator, a substitute teacher at Hamilton and a Phoenix fireman.

Tucker is grateful to have the O-line attributed to him.

“It was cool, cool as hell … He said it over the loudspeaker, everybody heard it and it just became its own thing and now my guys are known as Tuck’s Tanks … I have all the appreciation and admiration for [Reed] because it’s something he just created out of nowhere and it’s a cool name to have,” Tucker said. 

The offensive line is the backbone of the Hamilton football program that hosts Salpointe Catholic in the AIA Open Division Semifinals Saturday. 

The Huskies are 7-1 and Salpointe Catholic s 7-0, with one win by forfeit. The Huskies aim to get their eighth championship title since 2012.

“I always make sure [the offensive linemen] get their credit, because they are out there working hard and eating their family’s groceries, so I’ve always tried to make sure that they get recognized, because normally they wouldn’t get called out on plays,” Reed said.

Center Christian McCook is one of the captains of the team this year. 

He loves being on the O-line because of the brotherhood they share. 

One thing he wishes people knew about the offensive line is all the hard work they put in “behind the scenes.”

“We get to protect the quarterback and the running back. We are like their personal protectors, like bodyguards,” McCook explained.

But ultimately, the energy stems from Tucker. 

“He sets the tone for our whole O-line. He teaches us to perfect our craft and be the best players we can be, and he really brings it out. He is one of my favorite coaches of all time, and that is why; he brings out the best in you,” McCook said.

Tuck’s Tanks is a lifelong legacy. Many alums from that group have gone on to the NFL. 

To name a few, Tyler Johnstone played for the Oregon Ducks and the San Diego Chargers. Tucker’s son, Marquez Tucker, went on to play at Southern Utah and for the Chicago Bears. 

This is a testament to the consistently outstanding offensive line Tucker puts forth each year. 

“We have just had a tremendous offensive line every year,” Reed said. “Really hardly anybody plays power football, but we’ve always played power football. We have always overpowered the other team with bigger and stronger guys.”