Football is built in the trenches, man, and this city’s got some absolute beasts up front, ready to dominate. We’re talking about the unsung heroes who get their uniforms dirty every single snap, paving roads for the offense, and now it’s time to actually give them their due. The Enquirer is asking who the top offensive lineman in the city is, and the poll closes Friday, July 24 at 4 p.m. You can vote once an hour, so get on it!
The Absolute Game-Wreckers
First up, you got guys who are already punching their tickets to the big leagues. Kal-El Johnson from Moeller? This dude is a straight-up force of nature. At 6-foot-8, 320 pounds, he’s become one of the best offensive linemen in the state, ranked 14th in Ohio by 247Sports. He’s committed to Georgia Tech, man! Moeller’s hopes of getting back to the Division I regional final or state tournament? They start and end with Johnson and that O-line. He’s one of at least three Crusaders linemen heading to DI. Then there’s Lual Aleu from Winton Woods, another absolute relentless worker. This 6-foot-4, 295-pound monster is already committed to the University of Missouri. When the Warriors run the ball behind him on the right side, it’s almost always a healthy gain, and he’s elite at protecting his quarterback. Aleu is ranked 41st overall in Ohio, showing you the kind of talent we’re talking about here.
Unsung Heroes Setting the Tone
But it isn’t just about the DI commits, it’s about the guys who lead their squads every single day. Tate Bartlett, the center for Wyoming, is one of those. Center is such a crucial spot, and this dude plays it perfectly. He was second-team all-league as a junior, and he’s got incredible off-the-ball speed, seeing the field well enough to yell out blocking assignments. He’s gonna be key for the Cowboys trying to get back to the top of the Cincinnati Hills League. Then you have Teagan Haretuku from Anderson. The Raptors put up 42.7 points per game last year, a number most folks pin on skill players, but it was that O-line doing the work. Haretuku, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound lineman, was first-team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference as a junior, and he’s one of two impact seniors in the trenches this fall. Don’t forget Jonny Lind from Covington Catholic, either. This guy blocked for a top dual-threat QB and a top running back in Class 4A, helping produce 2,116 passing yards and 2,774 rushing yards. His leadership was huge in getting the Colonels to the third round of the postseason, and he’s committed to Army after getting offers from Navy, Colgate, and Eastern Kentucky. And you gotta mention Connor Abercrombie from Campbell County. As a senior, under first-year head coach Rick Honaker, Abercrombie is charged with setting the offensive tone. He’s shown the potential to pancake opponents or pull off a perfect swing block in both the run and pass game, holding offers from Centre, Wabash, Wilmington, and McPherson.
These guys are the backbone of their teams, plain and simple. They’re the ones who make it all happen, blocking for those highlight-reel plays. Now, it’s time for us, the fans, to show up for them. Get your votes in for the city’s top offensive lineman before the poll closes this Friday, July 24 at 4 p.m. Let’s make sure these warriors get the recognition they deserve before the season kicks off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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