"There was some doubt at the beginning of the season about whether we could get it done," senior guard Chanse Guyon said. "I think some of our (new) guys even had doubts. Now, they've learned they can stand up against almost anything.

"We're still making mistakes, but we're getting better. We have the mentality that we know we have to work hard and keep getting better."

Guyon is the only returning starter from last year's state championship offensive line. This year, he has been joined by seniors Sean Greenwood, JaRome Harrison and Hayden Findley and junior Mitchell Thornton. Junior tackle Jeremy Hooks has also seen significant playing time with the starting unit.

The group will lead Prattville (6-0, 4-0 Class 4A, Region 4) against Robert E. Lee (0-6, 0-4) tonight at Cramton Bowl.

"As the returning starter, Chanse has to be a leader of the group," Prattville head coach Bill Clark said. "But with four seniors, there is a lot of leadership. They all do different things for us. They've worked hard and have gotten better every week."

The group that has proven efficient at run blocking and even more adept at pass blocking.

"Pass protection is their strength," Clark said. "We're doing a good job with the running game, but we can get better. We've rushed for yards this season, we just haven't been as dominant as we have been in the past."

Dominant or not, the line has paved the way for an offense that is averaging a little more than 388 yards in six games.

"The main difference between this group and last year is that we're a little better at pass blocking," said Greenwood, the younger brother of Alabama defensive lineman Bobby Greenwood. "There have been some challenges, but we're making progress. We're just still trying to perfect a few things."

The Lions have passed for more than 200 yards in three games and rushed for more than 300 in two games. In last week's 49-13 win over Sidney Lanier, the Lions passed for a season-high 253 yards.

Quarterback Casey Weston threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

"Those guys are the hardest working group of offensive linemen I've been around," Weston said. "They've made it a lot easier for me. I'm able to concentrate on my reads and I don't have to worry about the pass rush."

Guyon and the line take pride in comments like that.

"We've gained trust in each other since the beginning of the season," Guyon said of the offensive line's relationship with Weston. "Early in the season, we had a couple of kinks, but I think he feels comfortable in the pocket now. When he does well, it makes us feel like we're doing a good job."

by Wesley Lyle
Montgomery Advertiser