In the Trenches

Football is a really big deal in Krum. The majority of students and fans know the names of the starting quarterback and star running back, but most people don’t know or think about the Offensive Linemen. These are the men that that make what the ball carriers do possible. Krums' Starting Offensive Linemen include Zane Howard (Senior - 300 lbs.), Evan Shipley (Senior - 230 lbs.), Josh Baker (Junior - 320 lbs.), Antonio Barraza (Junior - 270 lbs.), and Everett Gunnoe (Senior - 290 lbs.) Other offensive linemen include Kale Pierce (Senior - 170 lbs.), Josh Cummins (Junior - 180 lbs.), Travis Draper (Senior - 275 lbs.), and Jacob Wilson (Senior - 250 lbs.) Offensive linemen don’t get the glory that the backs and receivers do, but the Bobcat O-Line takes it in stride. “It’s what we signed up for,” Gunnoe said. “We don’t always get as much recognition, but we know that what we do is just as important for the success of our team.” Without the offensive line, the game simply wouldn’t work.

“People who know the game of football understand how important they are to the team,” said Head Football Coach Gary Robinson. “A good offensive line understands that the five of them together can make or break the offensive unit.” Senior Evan Shipley knows that a team is about sacrifice and doing what is needed to insure the quality of the team as a whole.

“It’s frustrating at times, but everyone has a role on the team that matters equally, and that’s why it’s a team sport,” he said. Even though these players sometimes don’t get as much credit, they play an equal role in the game and should be recognized for the hard work that they do every day. "When it is all said and done, offensive linemen are usually better team members and they understand it takes everyone working together in order to be successful," Coach Robinson said. "They may not get credit for their hard work while they are playing, but the life lessons they learn from being an offensive linemen far outweigh any individual attention.”