Three weeks into the high-school football season, a big and experienced offensive line has been clearing the way to help the Washington-Liberty Generals to a 3-0 start.
The line has opened holes for running backs like Brayden Black, and in pass protection has given quarterback Tyler Flint-Steinig plenty of time to find open receivers.
Most recently, those linemen helped host Washington-Liberty shut out the Edison Eagles, 35-0, in a Sept. 12 non-district game to stay undefeated.
“The line has played well and has been physical,” W-L head coach Josh Shapiro told ARLnow.
Four players, all seniors, return from last fall’s Liberty District championship and 6D North Region tournament finalist team that finished with a program-best 12-1 record: Cooper Colucia, Grant Siebert, Christopher Gonzalez Ferrufino and Bennett Potts.
Other linemen contributing this season have been senior Daniel Camacho Torrico and juniors Aron Jacome Valenzuela, Anthony Fonseca and Lucas Munoz-Lopez.
Colucia, Siebert and Fonseca missed the Edison game due to illness or injury. Despite their absence, the unit helped W-L amass 343 total yards in the victory, including 126 on the ground by Black, who ran for three touchdowns.
“The line and replacements got the job done and set the tone for us on offense to have a strong game,” Shapiro said.
Flint-Steinig threw for 229 and a touchdown in the contest.
The Generals have been productive on offense in all three games. They gained 379 total yards in the squad’s opener, with Black rushing for 124, and rolled up 443 total in the second game, with Black gaining 119 and Flint-Steinig throwing for 273.
“We have gotten good production both running and passing and have been resilient so far on offense,” Shapiro said.
Also on offense against Edison, Trevor Fullen caught six passes for 96 yards, Gavin England five for 52 and Black, David Toepel and Luke Jones three each. Jones caught a touchdown pass. Flint-Steinig was 20 of 25 passing with an interception.
Lavand Aqrawi and Landon Jones kicked extra points.
On defense, Washington-Liberty took advantage of five turnovers against Edison and had 10 tackles for losses. Edison was limited to 144 total yards.
Gabe Salmeron had an interception return for a touchdown for W-L, and Aqrawi and Miles Whitaker also had interceptions. Fumble recoveries went to Maximus De La Vega and Tyler Hawkins. Jamal Sullivan and Jack Eustice each had two tackles for losses. Matthew Heim had a sack.
Eustice, Salmeron, Aqrawi, De La Vega, Dillon Hathorn and Henry Fonseca-Cruz were tackling leaders.
Next for the Generals is a road game against the undefeated Westfield Bulldogs (3-0) Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in non-district action.
