Ground Chuck

Companionship with the offensive line, along with their offensive line coach, is one of the keys to the Sabers’ huge success in their running game

From Left to right: Trey Strickland, Matt Hoehn, Coach Willis, Matt Jones, Donte Williams

There’s no “I” in team. We’ve all heard this cliché before, but the offensive linemen of South Mecklenburg High School genuinely live out this ideal of teamwork through their dedication to the Sabers’ success, as well as to one another.

Seniors Trey Strickland (#61), Donte Williams (#7), Matt Hoehn (#66) and Matt Jones (#73) have become pretty familiar with one another at this point in their football careers.

“We’ve been together since eighth grade at Quail Hollow,” Matt Jones says. “All four of us have been playing ball together for five years. We’ve been talking about this for years. We know each other better than anyone; we’re brothers; we love each other, and we’ll always have each other’s backs.”

Not to mention the backs of the Sabers’ great running back tandem of Spencer Shuey and Tim Palmer; who in a combined effort, have helped bring the Sabers to a 4-1 record this season.

When asked how they feel about blocking for Palmer and Shuey, the boys are eager to answer. “It’s great,” comments Trey. “They follow us; they inspire us; everything they do, they do for us.” Donte nods in agreement. “We pick up after one another,” he says.

Matt Hoehn adds, “They’re the two most humble kids we have and they always give us credit, but they do most of the work, to be honest.”

Work that certainly could not get done without the courage and tenacity of a solid offensive line. The guys sum up Saber football in one word, “Ground chuck,” which translates to “physical.”

These young men have definitely had to be physical in confronting some of the conference’s most intimidating defenses this season, including East Mecklenburg, who the Sabers faced just last Friday. When asked their opinion on the toughest defense they’ve met thus far, the boys didn’t hesitate.

“I would say without a doubt, East Meck,” Matt Hoehn comments. “They have great linebackers and a real solid defensive-line over there.”

Trey and Donte murmur in agreement.

“They were extremely fast and threw the ball really well,” Matt Jones admits. “It was pretty hard, but we came out with a win, so it was good.”

Anyone seated in the Sabers’ stadium last Friday night for the game will attest to this statement that “it was good.” Down 7-0 in the fourth quarter, Donte Williams was able to claw his way over the inline to tie the game with only minutes left on the clock. With just two minutes to go, the Sabers got the ball back on an interception, allowing them to close the deal with a field-goal kick completed 22 seconds before the buzzer sounded.

The overwhelming team spirit of Sabers’ fans who rushed the field that evening is echoed in the offensive-linemen who continue to support one another once the stadium lights go out.

I’m hanging out with these guys on weekends,” says Matt Hoehn. “We’re going out to eat together after practice all the time, including coach (Coach Jonathan Willis). Coach hangs out with us on the weekends too. When coach needs someone to move his furniture, for instance, ‘cause he’s moving apartments, we’re there to help him out. And he’s there for us and we’ve just all got each other’s backs.”

“We always talk about football,” says Matt Jones. “It can get pretty annoying for some of the people who don’t play, but we love it. We eat, drink and sleep it.”

Trey Strickland pauses before confessing what it is he does in his spare time. “I lift weights and eat,” the 6’7”, 317 pound senior laughs.

Donte concurs. “When I’m not working, I’m lifting weights.”

Comradery off the field would appear to be the key to the Sabers’ success, and though it plays a major role, the boys have another admission.

“Can I add something?” Matt Jones asks. He turns to address the offensive line coach, Jonathan Willis, who has been standing patiently nearby, his arms crossed firmly and his head tilted back, an icon of the fortitude his linemen exude each time they step out to block. “I just want to say that Coach Willis has come in here, in his first year, and he’s been an awesome offensive line coach. He’s worked us harder than any coach I’ve ever had. It’s really helped out a lot this year and has paid off.”

Matt Hoehn chimes in. “The attitude Coach Willis brings to the offensive line is the most intense coaching I’ve ever had in my football career, which has been pretty much my whole life.”

Coach Willis beams, but politely declines the acclaim, insisting that the determination and companionship of the boys is what has made the whole process come together.

“You really couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to work with,” Willis says. “This is a tight-knit group, who have been playing together, like they said, since little league. They have a feel for each other; they know where to go, and it takes away that part as a coach for me. These guys just needed a little extra push to get it going, and now they’re on a roll; they’ve got it.”

It certainly would seem that great things are in store for these boys, not only as Sabers’ offensive lineman, but also as individuals. As difficult as it may be to acknowledge at this point in the season, the reality is that these Sabers’ seniors, will sooner than later, be forced to go their separate ways.

At this point all of the boys plan on taking their game to the next level by playing in college. For Trey Strickland, playing is not an option.

“Anything I can get, I’ll take, “Trey says. “Division I, Division II, anything. I just want to play.”

Donte says he’s considering N.C State. Matt Jones says he’s looking at some smaller schools and named Gardner Webb as a potential.

“I’ve talked to some Division II schools and a couple of Division I AA schools,” says Matt Hoehn. “But at this point, I’m just keeping my options open for whoever will look at me.”

While it’s hard to imagine the inseparable foursome splitting up, with the comradery and teamwork they’ve forged over the years, each will undoubtedly take with him an invaluable experience in teamwork to transfer to his next endeavor.