While offensive linemen are seldom in the spotlight, head coaches will be the first to praise the big men in the trenches and credit them for the success of any great offense.

For Brownwood in 2020, the offensive line is the most experienced unit on either side of the ball, and third-year head coach Sammy Burnett has repeated throughout the offseason the front five will be even more vital to the Lions’ success as the team breaks in a new quarterback and several new skill players.

“I tell them all the time they’re the heartbeat of our team and we’re going to go as our offensive line goes, and I believe that,” Burnett said. “We’re putting pressure on them to be as good as they can be.”

Full-time offensive line starters returning include guard Brad Robinson and tackle Jimi Brown, both seniors, along with junior center Ethan Pesina.

“Last year we were talked down about a lot being young guys coming in, but this year we have a full head of steam and we know that the game’s on us,” Robinson said.

Robinson, Brown and Pesina were anchors along the offensive front in 2019 as Brownwood averaged 35.9 points and 391.4 yards — 222.2 rushing and 169.2 passing — per game en route to an 11-2 record and three-round deep playoff run. Pesina earned the district’s offensive newcomer of the year honor, while Robinson was a first-team all-district selection.

Regarding the line’s steady improvement throughout the year last season, Pesina said, “We just got better at our craft – our footwork and our plays.” As for where the line stands at this point in the 2020 season, Pesina said, “I think there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement. We did had some good things to look back at (in the intrasquad scrimmage), but we do need to improve a lot.”

Asked about their roles as team leaders this season, Brown said, “I feel like we’ve learned everyday how to lead and how to show people what it’s like to be on varsity. We show them how to work hard and step up.”

Burnett added, “They understand what we expect and how we need to work and how they need to lead. All three do a great job of leading by example whether it’s in the classroom or in the weight room or out on the football field. They all lead by example and it can be contagious. I just try to reiterate to them to be a master at your craft and what you do, have the ability to help out the guy beside you, make sure we’re communicating properly and leading by example and they’re doing a great job of that.”

The rest of the starting line will likely include tackle Jared Northcutt, who saw varying amounts of playing time a year ago, along with guard Logan Gillem, who transferred from Early where he started for two seasons.

“We had to fill some places on the offensive line but we’re getting our chemistry and we’re continuing to build on that,” Pesina said.

Brown added, “I feel like we’ve become more a family everyday when we practice. We’re rough on each other when we’re out there, but we’re still a family.”

Last season senior running back Reece Rodgers eclipsed 1,900 yards on the ground but missed out on reaching 2,000 yards – something that has stuck with the returning linemen.

“Reece didn’t get that last year and we were all a little upset about that,” Robinson said. “That’s a big thing for us, getting Royshad (Henderson) 2,000 yards rushing.”

As for additional goals the linemen have set for themselves as a unit, and the team as a whole, Robinson said, “We need to play with an attitude all the time and still be able to talk to the guys along the line and be on the same page and be able to perform almost as one person.

“We also want to be remembered as great team. Last year is remembered as great but it’s always about the next year. Bill Belichick always says it’s about the next ring and that’s what we’re chasing.”

The varsity Lions host Godley in their lone scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Gordon Wood Stadium, then kick off the 2020 regular season at No. 3 Lampasas at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug 28.