Cove’s offensive line settles in, helps team win Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 29 2009 07:40 AM There's nothing that can make an offense more potent, dangerous and confident than a cohesive offensive line.

It's just the growing pains that can be a little frustrating while you get there.

I don't know if Copperas Cove has found the right mix up front, but with the way coach Jack Welch continually complimented the unit after Friday's win over Shoemaker, you have to think the line is getting close.

Now just a word of caution here — I think it's been proven time and time again this season just how much Shoemaker has struggled and made every team its faced look extraordinary. A two-win Harker Heights team beat the Grey Wolves 48-0, but hasn't been close to that scoring output in any other game.

But forget about those numbers.

The fact is Cove's offense Friday looked like the unit that started the season piling up points and running over opponents.

The Bulldawgs ran 40 times for 345 yards, which averaged out to 8.6 yards per carry.

Think about that for a second. Is there a defense on this planet that can stop an offense that gets almost nine yards every time it runs the ball?

And Cove did this without senior Brelan Chancellor, who dressed out but didn't play after suffering a left leg injury the week before against Belton. The senior is the Dawgs' top big-play threat, but was held out for precautionary reasons, Welch said, and is a game-time decision for Friday.

So what helped Cove put up its first 300-yard rushing game in three weeks?

A healthy and maturing offensive line certainly helped.

"Your offensive line is the catalyst to the offense," Welch said. "It's great to have good running backs and a quarterback, and you can win some games just on skill talent. But when you get into 5A ball and our district, you have to have a mixture."

I'm sure most football fans have seen how a growing line can affect the offense, but I'll share an experience I witnessed just a few years ago. While at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 2007, I watched Euless Trinity go into its season with an unsettled offensive line. The Trojans didn't replace its entire line like Cove did this season, but they lost three linemen and a three-year starting tight end.

So Trinity started 2007 with two returners (Nate Adams and Veliani Kautai), a new tight end (Josh Ayers) and three new starters (James Bradshaw and Chuck Davenport), including a converted defensive tackle (Robert Griffin). In addition to growing pains and an embarrassing 30-3 loss to Odessa Permian on national television, the Trojans dealt with injuries and shuffling across the line. The offense was into district play before the same offensive line started back-to-back games.

When everything settled in, Adams was back from injury, Ayers was moved to strong tackle and Griffin went back to defensive tackle. But not only was the group a more-seasoned group, but some of those backups were just as reliable as the starters.

The Trojans didn't lose again after the Permian loss. They won 14 straight games to claim the Class 5A Division I title behind a stout running game led by its offensive line.

On signing day the following February, the same line that started the season so inconsistent saw five of its members sign national letters of intent, while Griffin signed as a defensive lineman but is heading to Baylor next season as an offensive tackle.

How about that announcer's call next year — Robert Griffin blocking for Robert Griffin?

Looking now at Cove's line, the unit led the way for 345 rushing yards in the Shoemaker win — the team's second-highest rushing total this season and third 300-yard showing.

Cove's starting line going into its opener had seniors Dominic Zeigler and Sean Maier on the "quick" side, Cody Elenz and David Jennings on the "strong" side, Daquon Bratcher at center and Caleb Pase at tight end. The Dawgs' line was senior-heavy a year ago, with only Zeigler listed on the preseason varsity roster, though at running back.

David Jennings went out with injury against Temple and Nick Locke, a tight end to start the year, stepped in. Bratcher moved over to tight end against Shoemaker, with Mitch Davisson taking over at center.

"Our offensive line has been young this year, and I think they've come along real well and real admirably," Welch said. "I think we're getting stronger and stronger, and I think the last ballgame was a step in the right direction."

There's still some more tweaking to be done, but if Cove can find five linemen, a tight end and two or three reliable reserves, this offense can do what most people think it's capable of. And if that happens, especially in a few weeks when the playoffs begin, watch out.

Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564.