By ERIC HERTER
MORGANTOWN — The nicknames aren’t pretty.
“The hogs,” “big ugly bellies” and of course, just simply “big uglies.”
However, the offensive line of the University High football team wears those labels with pride.
“I love that nickname (big uglies),” junior starting center Jacob Stevens said. “We all enjoy it. No lineman wants to be called pretty.”
For good reason, too, as this offensive line has helped paved the way to a 4-0 start and on Friday, it hosts Fairmont Senior at 7:30 p.m. in its annual Homecoming contest.
Members of the starting offensive line feature, at left tackle senior Corbin Turney (6-foot-1, 291 pounds), at left guard sophomore Seth Drvar (6-0, 250), Stevens (5-8, 210) at center, senior Matt Evans (6-2, 263) at right guard and junior Gavin Powroznik (6-2, 247) at right tackle.
That lineup doesn’t get lost on them either, as they are constantly spotted sitting together at lunch, in social settings or out on the town locked in step, as one unit, in that same lineup.
“A lot of times we just line up this way,” Stevens said. “It’s become second nature.”
While the five linemen look formidable now, it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, some of their teammates and UHS fans may have had other nicknames for them in the past.
“Two years ago, my first year, every film day we would just get roasted by our teammates,” Evans said. “It was awful.”
It was also probably warranted as an inexperienced line was getting pushed into the lap of quarterbacks and running backs alike.
But UHS head coach John Kelley knew he had something special, even then when this unit was taking its lumps.
“I knew they weren’t ready for AAA football,” Kelley said. “But they have grown up big and strong now and they can pretty well play with anybody.”
Through four weeks, they certainly have proven they can compete with anyone. The UHS offense is humming right now as it’s averaging 51 points per game and 426 yards per contest on the way to a No. 1 ranking in the WVSSAC playoff ratings.
“It’s been a long road to get here,” Turney said. “You definitely take it personally when you see your quarterback get hit or your running back can’t find a hole to run through.”
Turney is the most experienced player on the line, as he is in his fourth year as a starter. He also aspires of playing at the next level. He currently holds offers from Morehead State and Glenville State.
The newcomer to the group is Drvar, who has fit right in this season at his left guard position.
“I’ve learned a lot from these guys,” Drvar said. “Last year, I didn’t really play a lot. I feel like they have taught me how to play at the varsity level.”
Evans has been a starter since his sophomore year and has developed good chemistry with Powroznik over the last two years on the right side.
“It thrills us to watch tape and see (quarterback) Chase (Edwards) have forever to throw,” Powroznik said. “Thinking about when we were freshman, sophomores, and Chase had no time, and now it’s just so much different. I think he trusts us now and I think coach trusts us, too. We can run more of a diverse offense now.”
University’s offensive line also has a not-so-secret weapon in the form of assistant coach Rich Braham, who played offensive line at WVU and played 13 seasons in the NFL.
Braham joined the UHS staff this season and helped mentor some of these linemen through even their middle school years.
However, even an offensive line expert like Braham is impressed with the results of the Hawks line.
“I’m not surprised because of the dedication they are giving in the sport,” Braham said. “They are always wanting knowledge and that’s what I am able to give them. Obviously, they are putting it on display right now.”
All that is left for this offensive line, and this team, is to finish the season strong. That doesn’t get lost on any of them as they know several games are left including one against rival Morgantown.
“The Morgantown High game last year was humiliating,” Kelley said. “They just beat us to death. I think that bothered them a lot. I think that was one of their offseason goals of that’s not going to happen again.”
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