Lineman Make the World Go ‘Round: Celebrating the Lines of Our State Champion Hopefuls

By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
REGION — This weekend Newport, Windsor and Bellows Falls will battle for state crowns. There are the names that appear in the Eagle Times and Rutland Herald that cover these teams on a regular basis, and they are the players who get the glory for the scores and big plays. Quarterbacks Kyle Ashley, Jamison Nystrom and Maison Fortin are the field generals while running backs such as Travis McAllister, Tyler Gobin, Caden Haskell, Logan Worrall, Walker James and Brody Osgood get the scores. “I can tell you that because of the line play is why we are as successful as we are,” said Fortin.

Usually, the lineman of these teams get overlooked, but not today. These players bleed, sweat and work their tails off against the biggest and strongest the other teams have to offer. “I just like to hit people,” said Bellows Falls senior Jake Moore during a game this fall.

When you mention guts, players like Bradley Bowers, Jake Moore, Logan Ash, Charles Palmer, Angel Rivera, Dillan Perry, Vance Martin, Cayden Decato, Ray Plummer and so many, many more are in that category.

“I will do whatever it takes to do my job,” said the Tigers’ Logan “logibear” Ash, while in Windsor Palmer, Bowers and Vance Martin haven’t lost a game in a long time. “We will keep pushing ourselves until the game is over, we just will not stop,” said Bowers during a recent game.

While all three teams can and will throw the football, they are run driven especially in Bellows Falls. “I give all the credit to the line. They are the reason why we have the holes to run through and the time to throw the football,” said Nystrom.

The Terriers racked up over 300 yards on the ground against Brattleboro with the likes of Justin Draper, Peter Kamel, Noah Simino and more leading the way doing all the heavy lifting.

Look out for these fellas to not be recognized much again but make no mistake that their efforts are a big reason why these three teams are where they are.

Good luck to all of our local teams this weekend.