By Steve Carter
TIFTON — Most likely the last time the Tift County Blue Devils could boast a 1,000-yard rusher as well as a 1,000-yard passer in the same season was 1983. That was the year the Devils won the state football title.
It has happened again in 2006 as Kaream Hess has rushed for 1,104 yards and Sean Baxley has thrown for 1,414 yards.
The big reasons for that success, literally and figuratively, are the six players that have seen the majority of playing time along the Blue Devil offensive line.
After an early season knee injury that sidelined Chase Powell, the Devils have relied on Zach Allen, Anthony Bryant, Thom Roberson, Mark Buhler, Almarkus Williams and Andrew Grimes to open holes for Hess and to make sure Baxley stays protected.
“They have been a huge part of our success on offense,” Tift head coach Jay Walls said. “Our offensive line has done a great job. We have been able to throw the football and run the football. They have done a great job in every aspect of our offense.”
It is a big switch from just a year ago as Tift did not have a rusher go for over 400 yards and quarterback Scott Shuman barely passed for 1,000.
“We have done way better,” Williams said. “It has come from hard work and looking at old game films. Looking at those films makes you think about what you have to do to make yourself better. We have been practicing hard and working hard in the weight room too.”
Roberson said that weight room work has paid off.
“We have actually got a bigger line this year, I believe,” Roberson stated.
Buhler also noted the continued development of him and his teammates.
“I know we have improved. The last couple of years everyone has always pointed their finger at the offensive line,” Buhler said. “But with a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard passer, you can see we have improved.”
Not only has each player improved, Bryant feels like the unit as a whole has improved over the year.
“Like coach says, the offensive line has stepped it up a notch and let us do our thing,” said Bryant.
When Baxley hits Israel Troupe on a big pass play or Hess breaks off a long run, the line plays a large part in those plays. After such a play happens, the players up front may not get their names yelled out by the public address announcer or mentioned in the newspaper the next day, but Allen knows he and his linemates had a part in that success.
“I feel like the whole line has played a big part in that,” Allen said. “The OL helps Kaream gets his yards and helps Sean Baxley get the ball off and helps Israel Troupe get the ball. I feel like we help out a lot.”
When Powell was injured, Bryant stepped in and took over at guard. Grimes has also stepped up and become the line’s “sixth man.”
When players have been hurt, Grimes has filled in, especially at center and the two guard spots. That was evidenced in the Warner Robins game when Grimes played the entire contest in place of Roberson, who missed the game with an ankle injury.
“I just jump in there when I am needed,” said Grimes. “I expect to do well when I am needed.”
Walls said that players like Grimes have also added to the line’s strength.
“We have got a little bit of depth this year, and that has been a big help to us,” Walls said.
Another positive aspect of the line is that a lot of the same players will be upfront next season as Williams, Buhler and Grimes are graduating, but Allen, Bryant and Roberson will all be back, as well as Powell.
“We have got a lot of them coming back, and we have also got some young kids coming up that will be good,” Walls said.
The line will try to help Tift advance in the state playoffs tonight when the Devils host the Union Grove High Wolverines at 8 p.m. in a second-round contest.
