The Lambert Longhorns are currently undefeated going into their last non-region game against East Coweta on Friday, September 22. The Longhorns have displayed excellence on the field, scoring 173 points and only allowing 103 throughout the season so far. Much of this success has been due to the consistency of the offensive line.
Junior and 2-year starter Jackson Deloach was posed with a challenge going into the 2023 season since the majority of this year’s offensive line are young players with little varsity experience.
“Honestly, my main focus with the offensive line has been just bonding with my teammates and really coming together as a team,” Deloach said. “We’ve been getting our offense and defense together and we’ve been able to play really well.”
The offensive line has been successful in protecting quarterback Marshall Coleman, and Deloach plans to capitalize on that ability going into the game against East Coweta.
“The offensive line has created big holes and good protection for the quarterback that gives him time so he has open receivers,” Deloach explained.
Deloach is looking forward to the region games.
“I think these non-region games will prepare us for any situation,” Deloach said. “We’ve faced these region teams many times before, so we kind of know what to expect. We just have to keep having good practices each week, keep translating what we install each week and keep getting better each week.”
Dylan Biehl, sophomore and first-year starter at left tackle, has significantly contributed to the Longhorns’ non-region wins.
“I think what’s really been important in the non-region games is to set a tone for the rest of the season,” Biehl said. “I think a lot of our success is about team focus and team chemistry.”
Biehl attributes a lot of the things that he has learned this season to Deloach.
“I think my biggest mentor on the team would be Jackson Deloach because he’s been through these battles before,” Biehl explained. “He’s a two-year starter and I think that learning from his experience playing these games before really helps me become a better player.”
Biehl is focused on helping his teammates through every game this season.
“To credit the defense and special teams, they’ve done their job really well which has helped the scoreboard,” Biehl said. “I think the offensive line helps the skill players do their jobs and make their jobs easier.”
Following the East Coweta game, the Lambert Longhorns have an opportunity to be undefeated going into the region games, and Biehl is confident in the Longhorns’ ability to win.
“I think our success lets the rest of the region know that we’re a real team,” Biehl explained. “Region games always have the biggest turnouts, which is always going to make the games harder. But at the end of the day, I think that once we get into a rhythm on both offense and defense like we’ve been doing, they are going to be in big trouble come region time.”
