Hudson Pischer is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student  assigned to cover Tempe High School for AZPreps365.com

TEMPE, Ariz. – When the quarterback or running back runs through the goal line, or the quarterback drops back and finds one of his receivers for a score, many are quick to jump the gun on crediting them for all the work done. But before those plays can happen, the players up front on the line must work together to create opportunities for their teammates.

For a Tempe team that has gone 8-1 so far, the offensive line has been a staple of the team’s success. The unit’s contributions will not always appear in the box score, but its players take pride in the work that allows the rest of the offense to succeed.

“The biggest misconception about the offensive line is that they’re just a bunch of big, dumb guys, not athletic,” Buffaloes offensive line coach Donnie Meador said. “Offensive lineman are the smartest guys up there, because we have to do so much up front.”

The linemen must recognize and understand a plethora of different elements,including defensive formations, the playcall from the quarterback and any final checks based on what the defense shows them, all before the ball is snapped.

A lineman’s responsibility extends beyond just blocking the player in front of them. One missed assignment or any miscommunication could blow up the whole play. 

Meador, who has coached at Tempe since 2018, said the current group has impressed him with their commitment and willingness to work together. He compared the unit to the group in 2019 that helped Tempe reach the postseason 

“It’s a solid group,” Meador said. “They buy in, they trust each other.”

That trust is built beyond just the field. Meador said the players spend time together on the weekend and after school, building relationships.

For starting center Dylan Arzate, the work does not end when practice is over. He said the lineman are always striving for improvement, which consists of being in the weight room and taking mental reps at home.

“I wish people knew how hard we worked on our position,” Arzate said. “We’re always trying to be in the weight room, or even just working on pass protection by ourselves at home. We want to always be trying to do better.”

That preparation matters because the line must always have mental notes ready on the spot when defenses change their formations at the line of scrimmage. Arzate credited Meador with helping the group understand how to adjust, limiting the confusion when the opponent presents a different look.

The benefits of a strong offensive line are clear to Buffaloes running back John Walter Ramos, who depends on the line to create running lanes and opportunities to make plays.

“I know it’s hard for them to block every day, every single time.” said Ramos, who also sometimes has blocking assignments in pass protection, “it’s good guidance for a running back to know what they’re doing and have trust in them.”

The offensive line might not receive the same attention as the players who throw the ball, catch passes and score touchdowns, but its members measure success through watching their teammates succeed, knowing that they created that opportunity.

“Without the offensive line, you’re just playing catch.” Meador said.