Toil In The Trenches

PRAIRIE GROVE — Sometimes being a lineman is a thankless job.

They toil in the trenches, battering their body play after play against the other team’s behemoths.

If their team fails to move the ball for whatever reason, then shouts of “you have to block somebody” rain down from the stands. On the other hand, if their team marches down the field, chewing up yard after yard, finding their way to the end zone because of the battles being waged at the line of scrimmage which helps their squad earn a victory, what is the first thing that happens? All the TV and newspaper guys heap praise on the quarterbacks or running backs, fawning over their athleticism and ability to lead their teams to victory.

Prairie Grove senior Jackson Diebold knows that linemen earning accolades by busting their hump in the trenches probably won’t come often enough, however that doesn’t seem to bother him one bit. Diebold understands that being a lineman isn’t glamorous.

“We don’t get the glory for the touchdowns, that’s just something you have to live with,” Diebold said. “Our backs do a really good job and appreciate what the lineman do. So, even though we don’t get talked about in the news or interviewed on TV, our team still knows how hard we work.”

Diebold’s team first, hard-nosed attitude is echoed by Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier, who said, “Jackson is just a mentally and physically tough kid. He never complains, he just loves the game and wants to help the team win however he can.”

Much will be made this season about the fact that the Tigers lost so many seniors from last year’s squad and those who want to see a flash of the intensity Diebold displays in the trenches bring that fact up to him.

“Yeah, we lost a lot of seniors, but everyone we have coming back could have easily started on lots of other teams,” Diebold said with his voice rising a couple of octaves. “So we lost a bunch of people but have plenty of replacements. We’re not just going to throw in the towel.”