Dade’s big line has fun

TRENTON, Ga. — They may be toiling in the trenches, but Dade County High School’s offensive linemen clearly enjoy what they do.

Personal recognition is not the goal of this largely college-size line. Personal satisfaction is what these guys thrive on — the kind they get when an opposing lineman “taps out,” as they call it.

“When they’re on and motivated, they’re nasty,” Dade coach Bradley Warren said this week. “They get after you; they’ll shoot their hands and drive their feet and put you on your back.

“Defensive linemen get tired of those 300-pounders laying on you. We felt like all year if we’re close at halftime we’ll beat you in the second half. We’ve had some defenses shut down in the second half. We’ve seen some linemen just start falling flat on their stomachs instead of wanting to get hit.”

When that happens, Nick Lawson and crew start smiling.

“By the mid part of the third quarter, you can see them getting tired,” said the 6-foot-3, 320-pound senior right tackle. “At times you can sense it, and when you do, you know it’s over.”

The 9-1 Wolverines, who travel to 7-3 Heard County tonight in the GHSA Class AA playoffs’ first round, aren’t shy about their offensive approach. Their wing-T attack is designed to pound opponents with Lawson, left tackle Randy Holt (6-6, 330), center Gannon Hampton (5-11, 265), tight end Nic Wallin (6-3, 215) and guards Jordan West and Michael Bearden (each 5-10, 200), who are adept at pulling.

The defense gets further softened by 230-pound fullback John Hampton up the middle, then slapped with speedy wingbacks David Page and Chris Little on counters.

The lineman aren’t just large — even the backups (6-3, 250-pound Jared Whitman and 6-4, 350-pound Josh Bell) are huge — they’re also in shape. Warren, a lineman for the old Northwest Georgia High, said his linemen regularly stay after practice for more conditioning.

“We don’t have a lot of depth, but we’re in shape,” he said. “We even lift during the week, and after practice we run an unreal amount of sprints. Last week, for example, on Tuesday we ran two gassers for the regular team, and not only did the linemen run their gassers, they stayed after and ran 14 40s [yard dashes]. That helps you in later parts of games.”

Despite Dade’s success in reaching its first playoff game since 1999, there is little statewide buzz surrounding the Wolverines. They know there’s only one way to fix that.

“It’s a huge motivator for us,” said Wallin, a senior. “Two or three years ago I would never have thought we would be in this position. I’m humble and very proud to be a part of it and to see how far we’ve come as a team. We can prove it on the field by playing to the best of our ability. If we do that, we’ll be fine.”

So how do the Wolverines plan to attack the Braves, a team loaded with athletes? In true Dade County fashion, of course.

“We’ve just got to smash them up front,” Lawson said, smiling. “They’re quick but they’re small. If we show up, it will be a good game.”