By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

It’s all guts and very little glory.

Such is the life for any offensive lineman, but especially for the Callaway line that has paved the way for the Cavaliers’ prolific offense this season.

While the Cavaliers have put up monster statistics on offense this season with running back Marquis Terrell and quarterback Quan Bray leading the way, anyone on the team will be the first to admit it’s been the play of the offensive line that has helped the unit impose their will on defenses.

“It’s just the way it goes for offensive linemen,” said position coach J.J. Wahl, who joined the Cavaliers’ staff five years ago. “It’s all guts and no glory.”

The starting unit is comprised of seniors Chaz Bowles and Chase Bowles and Brandon Bowen, as well as juniors Joe Tigner and Caleb Drake.

Golden Sutton, another senior who started last season, still makes appearances on the line but is now primarily a defensive player.

With everybody checking in at least 6 feet and 220 pounds, it’s by far the largest and most productive line that has graced the Callaway football team in head coach Pete Wiggins’ regime.

Add a plethora of experience and a handful of talented skill players, and the Cavaliers have been a force on offense this season.

Callaway (8-2) is averaging 42 points per game, and haven’t scored less than 44 points since a 38-7 win over Spencer on Sept. 17.

Terrell is having a monster year, with more than 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns.

For the offensive line, the stats are a reflection of their hard work.

“It means a lot. It shows how well we’re blocking and how good (Terrell) is,” Bowen said. “We don’t get our names in the paper like those guys do, but our job is just as important as theirs.”

Bray, who has rushed for 12 touchdowns to go along with seven passing scores, has been an advocate of the line’s play since the start of the season, and

“They’re getting better and better every week,” Bray said. “They give me a lot of time to make decisions. They open up holes for (Terrell) all the time.”

Bowen, who transferred from Troup High this year, is one of the newest members of the line.

The other four linemen had plenty of varsity playing time for the Cavaliers heading into the season, and Wahl felt good about the unit before the opening game.

“I knew we’d be pretty good this year,” Wahl said. “We returned a lot of guys and they’re all smart football players. There is no doubt the senior leadership is a main ingredient to our success.”

Chaz and Chase Bowles are twin brothers who came into the year with plenty of starting experience.

While it’s been nice to play alongside each other, the entire unit has come together like another family.

“We all work together extremely well,” Chaz said. “We’ve all been together and taken a lot of reps together.”

Added Chase: “It’s great playing with my brother. We’re all like a family though.”

Along with the experience, size is always a factor on any offensive line, and the Cavaliers have plenty to go around.

Everyone is more than six feet tall, which is a nice asset to have for Wahl, since it hasn’t always been that way for the Cavaliers.

“My first year, I think we only had one lineman who was more than 200 pounds,” Wahl said. “We’ve got a big offensive line right now. That’s definitely a bonus.”

While the offensive line makes plenty of key blocks, Chaz Bowles pointed to tight ends Ricky Parks, Dionte Rosser and Jamal Bruce as other ingredients to to the Cavaliers’ dominant running game.

“Those guys and the wide receivers have blocked well all year,” Chaz said.

The Cavaliers’ eight-game winning streak can be attributed to many aspects of the team, but the members of the offensive line know if they play well, Callaway’s offense will be tough to beat with the Class AA playoffs looming.

“They always say you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and we’re all about the same,” Bowen said.