<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">A good offensive line is the cornerst</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">one that every great football team is built upon. Without it, running backs struggle to find holes to run through and quarterbacks quickly run out of time to let a play develop or find an open receiver.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">When Washington-Marion lines up on offense this season, it will do so with one of the most veteran offensive lines in the state, and the</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Charging Indians hope this unit will be the key to success this season. “It makes a big difference when you have experience on the football field,” said W-M head coach Freddie Harrison. “They have been under the lights on Friday night before. The know what to expect and understand what we expect of them. It’s very uplifting and encouraging to have those guys back.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">W-M had success running the ball last season, as running back Jacobi Taylor earned Class 4A first-team all-state honors after accumulating 1,901 yards and 15 touchdowns on 311 carries.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">W-M returns four seniors from last year’s starting offensive line, and the unit expects to have just as much success as it did in 2015, if not more.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Last year we ran for close to (3,000 yards,),” said offensive lineman Jalen Semien. “Maybe this year it will be 4,000. On every down and every play, we just have to give it our all.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">In addition to Semien, the Charging Indians’ offensive line will also include all-District 3-4A first-team selection Aaren Lemelle in addition to two second-team picks, Louis Jack and Terek Warren.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Lemelle said experience isn’t the only factor that has led to their success as a unit.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“There’s a lot of chemistry,” Lemelle said. “I’ve been playing with these guys since my freshman year, some of them since I was in eighth grade.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">While Harrison said he’s grateful to have a senior group of experienced athletes on the front line of his offense, he called the situation a double-edged sword, saying the coaching staff will have to work hard to prepare the next group of linemen who will replace the current unit next season.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“It’s nice to have, but you know that eventually they’re going to leave,” Harrison said. “We coach under the philosophy that we coach our (second string) just as hard as we coach our (first string) so that we can be able to replenish and have those guys step up as needed.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">But W-M’s senior linemen aren’t thinking about next year. This is the group’s final season as Charging Indians and they plan on making the most of it.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“I’m ready,” Semien said. “I’m very excited. I’m ready to get at it, be victorious and maybe even go to state. Who knows?”</span>

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<p class="p1">Follow Tyler Nunez on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerAmPress">twitter.com/TylerAmPress</a>

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