Football isn’t always about the star players like the quarterbacks and the wide receivers; there are other players to pay attention to, such as the linemen. These boys play an important role in the game and some feel they don’t get enough recognition for what they do. The linemen have to protect the quarterback and hold the other team back from getting the ball, which is a hard job for the 11 FCHS varsity players who are linemen.

This is Steven Szarmach’s first year as the Flucos’ varsity coach and before the season even started he already had a lot of confidence in his linemen. Szarmach noted the importance of the linemen in the Aug. 11 edition of the Fluvanna Review when he said, ”a leading player on the line this season will be junior tackle Jake Morris.” Morris, Fluvanna’s #67 offensive tackle, has been playing football for six years. Like most of the linemen, he is interested in going to college– in his case, hopefully to Liberty University in Lynchburg.

Another key lineman on the varsity team is junior Judd Searcy, a left corner who has been playing football for five years. Recently returning from Fork Union Military Academy, Searcy said he would like to attend one of three colleges in the future: Tusculum College, the University of North Carolina, or Penn State. Szarmach recently said that he is “pleased to have Judd Searcy back in the fold.”

Two more key Fluvanna linemen are Cole Craig and Chase Payne. With Craig on defense and Payne on offense, the boys help hold down both sides of the field. Both are juniors and have been playing football for eight years. Craig (#54) plays defensive end, while Payne (#77) plays offensive tackle. Both players would like to attend James Madison University in Harrisonburg for football.

The linemen not only get praise from their coaches but also from other players on the team. “Judd Searcy is a good pass and run protector and he has a big part in the game,” said junior linebacker Chris Miller.  Linemen have a tough job when playing football and they often don’t get much recognition for their job. So the next time you watch a football game, look for The Flucos’ unsung varsity linemen: Cody Child, Cole Craig, Jr. Fitz, Daniel Free, Cameron Grooms, Matthew Hamill, Zachary Hartzog, Justin Lamb, Jake Mills, Jake Morris, Chase Payne, Judson Searcy, Kyron Washington-Fuller, and Delonte Woodson.