Bringing it together

The young men who labor on the offensive line at Whitworth College have few fond memories of the 2003 college football season. First came the unsettling news that their position coach was taking a leave of absence. Next came the injuries. Then, the losses.

But through all the adversity, Tyler Neely, Chris Gilliam, Teddy Bakken, David Woods, Chris Stewart, Kevin Reese and their younger counterparts persevered – thanks to a unique bond that only those who grunt, sweat and bleed, side by side in the obscurity of the O-line, can fully understand.

And this fall, that same group of tough-minded veteran linemen returned to the practice field with a new sense of dedication and resolve that has translated into a bounce-back season that had the Pirates nationally ranked and in the NCAA Division III playoff picture up until last weekend’s disappointing 28-17 road loss to Willamette.

“Our offensive line has been the key to our success all season long,” said coach John Tully, whose Pirates are 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Northwest Conference heading into Saturday afternoon’s season finale against Pacific Lutheran (6-2, 2-2) that kicks off at 12:30 in the Pine Bowl.

And it’s hard to argue with Tully’s assessment, considering the Bucs are averaging 41 points and 467.4 yards of total offense, despite a cast of young, less-experienced skilled position players.

What makes this group’s story even more fascinating, however, is the way they were able to remain united in the wake of last year’s litany of misfortunes, which started when offensive coordinator and O-line coach Kirk Westre took the year off to tend to his ill wife and their three children.

Westre’s sudden departure left the offensive linemen feeling orphaned. Bob Adsero, a graduate assistant, was rushed in as an emergency replacement as their position coach.

“But it was some of us older guys who were basically organizing drills and running the show,” said Bakken, a 5-foot-11, 257-pound senior tackle from Washougal, Wash.

“I think that really rushed their maturity level,” Tully said. “It put a lot on them as far as preparation and responsibility is concerned. And it also brought a real closeness within the group, because they had to depend on each other.”

That maturity was tested even further when Woods (torn ACL), a tight end, and tackles Reese (high ankle sprain) and Stewart (torn MCL) went down with injuries.

“That really took a big chunk out of our O-line,” recalled Neely, 6-0, 280-pound senior center from Okanogan, Wash. “We had to move people around, and some weren’t really acquainted with their new positions, which made it tough.”

As a result, the Pirates finished 4-6 overall and 2-3 in the Northwest Conference where they ranked seventh in scoring (19.1 points per game) and last in total offense (319.4 yards per game).

“It was difficult year both on and off the field,” admitted Bakken.

But during the off-season, with most of the healing completed and the unpleasant memories of 2003 fading to black, seniors Bakken, Neely, Woods, Stewart and Gilliam went back to work in preparation for their last remaining shot at redemption.

“The excitement started really building in January when we were all getting healthy again,” said Reese, a 6-4, 280-pound senior, who has a year of eligibility remaining and is contemplating returning. “That’s when we all started getting back together, working out and doing drills. We even brought one of the blocking sleds into the field house and were hitting that. It was neat. You could start to really see us bonding.”

Since then, they have been nearly inseparable. They meet at least once a week for dinner at one of their houses or apartments. They share conversations on a daily basis in the student union building. They gather on Sundays to watch NFL games.

“All of those guys, they just kind of hang together everywhere they go,” Tully said. “Even on the road, they’re always together, talking, joking, laughing … It’s neat to see.”

And highly effective on the field, it would seem.

“We have that kind of tight relationship where we can communicate during a game without having to say anything,” explained Gilliam, a 6-2, 247-pound guard from Bend, Ore. “This year, more than any, we don’t need to say much to one another if the other team blitzes. We just feel it.

“The trust factor between us is huge.”

Of course, you still must relish contact. And this group does.

“That’s what I like most,” Reese said. “We get to beat people up for a few seconds each play. It’s a lot of fun.”

It helps, too, that veteran assistant coach Jerry McCullough has moved over from defense to coach the Pirates’ offensive line.

“Jerry is an exceptional coach, and he’s got a unique relationship with the kids,” Tully said. “He’s brought some good ideas to our offense and added some things, like new blocking schemes, that have had a very dramatic and positive impact on our offense.”

But it is still up to those big uglies – as television commentator Keith Jackson so affectionately refers to offensive linemen – who are responsible for making the blocks and opening the holes.

And, in the case of Whitworth’s O-line, keeping the rest of the team relaxed.

“We’re actually the laid-back guys on the team,” Reese said. “We’re the guys who keep the tension down in practice. We’re always goofing around with each other. We’re not bad boys by any means, I don’t think.”

“But come game time,” Neely added, “it’s a different story.”