Oilers Return Talent, Experience To Offensive Line

In order to run the ball effectively, you need to have offensive linemen open up holes for the running backs toOilers Return Talent, Experience To Offensive Line dart through. In order to pass the ball effectively, your offensive linemen need to provide time for the quarterback to go though his progressions and find an open receiver. Although they rarely get any glory, offensive linemen are crucial to any successful offense and the Oilers are fortunate to return a group of players who have logged over 60 starts between them.

“We are excited to return starters at three positions and we have a total of five players coming back who have logged at least one start in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) game,” said associate head coach Kory Allen.

Senior Nathan Schaffer (Pictured) will lead the group as he is entering his fourth season as a starter at right guard.

A second team all-conference selection last season, Schaffer helped lead the Oilers to one of their most successful campaigns in recent history as the team racked up 25.2 points per game to go along with 368.1 yards per contest in 2009.

“Nathan is entering his fourth year as a starter for us and brings leadership and toughness to not only our offensive line, but our entire team,” said Allen. “He was a second team all-conference pick last year and we expect him to continue his growth and provide stability and reliability along our line.”

Also returning to the Oilers offensive line will be junior Tom Orlosky, who has been a starter since day one on campus at the all-important left tackle position.

“Tom is a great talent and we are pleased to have him back after an injury cut an all-conference caliber season short last year,” said Allen. “When healthy, we believe Tom is one of the best offensive linemen in the GLIAC.”

Sophomore Scott Dearwester also returns after starting all 11 games last year for Findlay at the center position as a red-shirt freshman and will be counted on to anchor the Oilers offensive line in the fall.

“Scott performed at a high level last year in his first season as a starter and is settling into his role as the ‘quarterback’ of the unit very nicely,” said Allen. “He does a good job of getting us going in the right direction and we expect him to have a great season this year.”

At right tackle, the Oilers have sophomore Tyler Johns returning, who earned several starts last year as a true freshman before injuries took their toll on his repetitions.

“Tyler had a great spring and will head into camp as our starting right tackle,” said Allen. “He started a few games as a freshman before injuries limited him, but he has tremendous potential and we are expecting him to have a great season.”

At left guard, junior John Krontz and red-shirt freshman Justin Music will be battling for the starting spot during camp.

“John is a valuable offensive lineman who is versatile enough to play several different positions,” said Allen. “Justin has a great deal of potential and progressed nicely during the spring.”

Also battling for playing time and starting spots will be sophomore Nate Toney and red-shirt freshmen Brent Balster and Shane Russell.

“Overall, I believe we have the components in place for a physical, yet athletic offensive line,” said Allen. “We are working to become more fundamentally sound and we want our players to play with an attitude.”

News Release By:  David Buck, Findlay SID