The Hamilton Huskies’ offense might be the best in the state. The run-and-gun tandem of running back Jawhar Jordan, who is committed to Syracuse University, and quarterback Tyler Shough, committed to University of North Carolina, often take the spotlight.

 

However, much of what Jordan and Shough have accomplished at the half way point of this season can be attributed to the success of the offensive line---“Tucker’s Tanks.”

 

The recently adopted nickname given to the O line by Hamilton teacher and game announcer Scott Reed is fitting. The tanks have allowed fewer than three sacks on the season and have paved the way for a dominant Huskies offense averaging in excess of 500 yards. Coached by a mammoth of a man who looks like he could still play himself, Mark Tucker has put together an O line that leaves trails of defenders lying on their backs.

 

The strength of the offensive line relies heavily on the familiarity the group of players have with one another. Sophomore left guard Finley Lecky is the only underclassman starting for Tucker. Four seniors--- left tackle Kayden Scatena, left guard Shay Zutshi, center Stason Makaila and the only returning starter, Arizona State commit Hunter Mayginnes--- have provided the framework for what Tucker considers one of the best offensive lines he’s ever coached.

 

“This might be the most cohesive and talented offensive line that I’ve had in a long time,” said Tucker. “It’s only half way point of the season and I expect them to only get better.”

 

Tucker, who was an All-American offensive guard for the University of Southern California before bouncing around with a few NFL teams including the Arizona Cardinals, has spent the past 19 years coaching for Hamilton since the school’s founding. Over the course of his tenure, Tucker was an integral part of seven state championship teams and has had an estimated 15 different offensive linemen take their talents onto NCAA Division I programs.

 

Tucker believes all five linemen are capable of taking their talents to their next level.

 

Mayginnes is the first of the Tucker’s Tanks to be given the opportunity to play collegiately.

 

“I received the offer back in mid-June. It was actually kind of weird. I had come home and got the call when I was taking a nap, so I was a little groggy,” said Mayginnes. “Coach Rob Sale [ASU offensive line coach] called to tell that they wanted me to be apart of the team.”

 

Tucker believes the “sky is the limit” for Mayginnes, who is listed at 6-6 and 320 pounds.

“He’s as athletic as any guy I’ve ever had,” said Tucker. “For as big as he is, the biggest issue for him be is being in shape, but he can go wherever he wants with football.”

 

Of the other starting seniors, none have received offers, yet Makaila and Scatena are currently in contact with several Division I programs.

 

Lecky, the baby of the tanks, has a bright future ahead of him. AZ Central ranked Lecky, who Tucker refers to as “the technician,” as the No. 15 Arizona football prospect for his class. The last time Tucker had a sophomore starting for him was Casey Tucker, who plays at Stanford and Bryce Holland, who plays for Army.

 

“Fin is a baby, when he is a senior I’ll be interested to see how he is put together,” said Tucker. “He reminds me of Mark Stepnoski who used to play for the Cowboys, just a true technician; Fin is of the same line. He does exactly what I ask and does it exactly how I want it to be done, he just executes.”

 

When reviewing the film of all five linemen, it seems as if each guy gets at least one pancake, putting a defender on his back, per game. The protection and running lanes they’ve created hasn’t gone unappreciated by the teammates.

 

“They make my job way easier than what it is,” said running back Jawhar Jordan. “I’m blessed to have this offensive line, they are the best in the state.”

 

Quarterback Tyler Shough shares a similar sentiment about his offensive line. After the team’s victory over Cesar Chavez, Shough retweeted a photo of the entire offensive line and added his own caption of “Best O-Line in the state! #savages.”

 

At the end of the day, with teammates and coaches praising the play of their O line, Mayginnes summed up perfectly how the Tucker’s Tanks mindsets would not change going into the rest of the season.

 

“We are looking to give up zero sacks, commit no penalties and try to help us score 50 or more points like we’ve done in the past three games.”