Gonzaga Prep puts its trust in offensive line to protect Liam Bell

It’s not fair to expect perfection out of an offensive line, no matter what level.

All one has to do is look at the struggles the Seattle Seahawks have had this season.

Still, there’s a saying that the Gonzaga Prep football team lives by.

“Strive for perfection and settle for excellence,” G-Prep coach Dave McKenna.

That applies to all the Bullpups and perhaps none more so than the offensive line.

The linemen are front and center each game. If the Bullpups win – and that’s happened 13 times in 13 games this fall – the linemen share in the celebration. But draw a penalty or miss a block and their mistakes are exposed.

And mistakes can put quarterback Liam Bell in peril.

That hasn’t happened much this season. There are many reasons for that. But one of the reasons the line has been so efficient is because of senior two-year starters Dylan McGillen (center), Tyler Brookings (right guard) and Noah Rouse-Amicarella (right tackle).

McGillen and Brookings were selected first-team all-Greater Spokane League and Rouse-Amicarella was honorable mention.

“As far as we’re concerned, Noah has played as well as Dylan and Tyler,” McKenna said, explaining that you can’t get all players the recognition they deserve.

It’s no secret that most of the Bullpups’ rushing yardage has come from the middle to right side. That’s not giving away any tendencies.

“They’ve been steady,” offensive coordinator and line coach Bob Cassano said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with them. The experience they got last year they’ve built on this season.”

In most of G-Prep’s games, opponents’ defensive lines have been measurably bigger than the Bullpups’ offensive line.

“We’re not going to scare you getting off the bus,” Cassano said.

You’d think it would make Bell’s knees knock.

“Without them, I couldn’t have any success at all,” Bell said.

Four other Bullpups share duties on the left side. They are senior Jim Orchard and juniors Cody Hattenburg, Kendall Brock and Shane Eugenio.

The line has a unique approach. While most lines have 6-inch- to 1-foot splits between them, G-Prep employs 3-foot splits in its flexbone – a variation of the veer or read option run out of the shot gun.

The wider stance allows G-Prep to take advantage of better technique and not allow so much on strength.

“It creates space for us,” Cassano said. “It helps us spread the defense out a little bit. We can take advantage of our quickness when teams try to go through the gaps.”

Take a look at G-Prep’s roster. The height and weights on the linemen are inflated, especially McGillen’s. The roster says he is 225 pounds. Cassano said he is 185 pounds at the most.

Cassano talks fondly about the right side of the line.

Cassano on McGillen: “He’s wiry, stronger than he looks. I couldn’t ask for a better center for what we do. It’s incredible how he plays as big as he does in such a small body. If you’re walking down a dark alley, he’s the one you want with you.”

Cassano on Brookings: “He works really hard in the weight room. He’s one of our hardest workers.”

Cassano on Rouse-Amicarella: “He handles the linebackers and blocks on the perimeter. He never gets beat on the back side of plays. He’s matured so much. We saw the potential in him last year and he didn’t live up to it. This year he’s lived up to the expectations.”

Brookings and Rouse-Amicarella look up to their line leader, McGillen.

“He doesn’t mess up at all,” Rouse-Amicarella said. “I don’t think he’s had one bad snap.”

The trio says it all starts with fundamentals.

“If you don’t take the right step right off the snap, you don’t make the play,” Rouse-Amicarella said. “We really have to work on perfecting form.”

And they’re proud to block for Bell.

“I love the guy,” McGillen said. “He’s one of my best friends.”

It’s up to Bell to make the correct read each play.

“Every play is a read,” Cassano said. “He’s done a great job.”

Cassano knows Bell would like to pass more. Truth is, the Bullpups have passed more this season than any other time in the past decade.

“He’s got a lot of arm talent,” Cassano said. “But in our offense it doesn’t always showcase what he’s capable of. When we throw we expect to make big plays.”

The offense has been maligned at times in the postseason.

“I try not to pay attention to what people say outside (our team),” Bell said. “Our program has a culture and we think it’s all about us and what we do. We don’t pay attention to outside distractions.”

When push comes to shove – as it did midway in the fourth quarter against Richland last week – the line comes through. By extention, the offense responds to the challenge.

“Plays are like tools,” Cassano said. “It’s up to the kids to be the craftsmen and use the tools properly.”