Lines the key for Leemen

STAUNTON — The grunt work, the bruises and the scares.

That’s the life of Robert E. Lee’s defensive and offensive lines. They are the unsung players that are hidden behind the spotlight.

One thing about the members of the D-line or O-line — they love it.

“We work real hard, just like we have to,” said junior Kevin Davis.

It’s hard to get a lot words from Davis, but lineman Zac Thompson spoke on some of the personal history and camaraderie that many members share.

They grew up together.

“We were competitive growing up together,” said the Thompson, who was named to the All-Southern Valley District second team. “We won a lot of games together while we played football through the years. We know what everybody can do and what we are capable of.”

Some of the players that played youth football with Thompson are Dae’ Quan Scott, A.J. Dobzeniecki, A.J. Scott and Dwight Godwin.

“Knowing each other helps out a lot,” Thompson said. “We know how each other is going to act and it helps when we are out there playing.”

The squad was preparing for their contest against Brookville on Friday in the Region III, Division 3 finals.

Worried? Not this group.

“We just gotta keep doing what we’ve been doing and not make dumb mistakes,” Thompson said.

Tackle Zac Sumner was hungry to finish his senior year with a bang, like the rest of the veterans and the two-way players.

The O-Line is another group that gets overlooked behind the shadow of the cameras.

Regardless, the player said it would be sweet for the seniors and the Lee team to taste a trip to states.

“It would be the best honor I could ever have to get the regional championships and then winning states,” Sumner said.

As far as the limelight for both the D-line and the O-line, it doesn’t matter off the field.

“We don’t really care about the credit,” Sumner said. “…As long as we are getting the wins and helping Dae’ Quan.”

Being on the field, is something that electrifies Sumner.

“I love the action, the contact. There is no sport out like it,” Sumner said. “We have a great group and we need to just stay focused and listen to the coach.”

Although they are sometimes forgotten, the Leemen linemen just want to make it past the regional test they have the Bees of the Seminole District.

Recognition is secondary.

“We don’t need all the attention,” Sumner said. “We just need to work hard.”

Another bond that holds the team together is their love of food.

“Yeah, we go out for Chinese. That’s kinda cool,” said Dwight Godwin.

Godwin had more than food on his mind. The senior was selected to the first team defense this year.

“We’re all just a family,” Godwin said. “We just work together. We help each other out when we don’t know what to do.”