The Bartlett offensive line has had plenty of motivation this year to control the line of scrimmage. You’d think it would be pancakes but it’s actually donuts, courtesy of the running backs every time one of them eclipses 100 yards in a game.
This got quarterback Carl Colavecchio thinking. Giving the linemen bear claws before the game could seriously bolster his modest 20-yard average per game.
“I might have to start spoiling them a little for the playoffs,” he joked.
It’s fitting the O-line likes to eat because the Golden Bears have feasted on opposing defenses to fuel the top-ranked ground game in Division I entering the ASAA First National Bowl playoffs.
Offensive linemen are typically unsung heroes, guys willing to do the dirty work for no glory. They don’t receive credit and fans don’t know their names or jersey numbers until one of them is called for a holding penalty.
At Bartlett, the O-line is revered for its handy work and the players are valued to be the most important pieces on the board.
“Our line is the reason why our offense is successful,” said Bartlett’s bellwether back Niko Alailefaleula, who has 1,057 rushing yards. “All the big plays are all because of the linemen.”
Bartlett’s O-line
Left Tackle: Joseph Afe
Left Guard: Torino Sio
Center: Zachary Posala
Right Guard: Ezekiel Posala
Right Tackle: Daniel Harris
Tight End: Tristan Savelio
With these guys leading the way, Bartlett averages 408 rushing yards per game and boasts the top-ranked rusher in Alailefaleula, who holds a seven-yard edge over Juneau’s Jarrell Williams (1,050) at the D1 level going into the quarterfinals.
“I coach our guys to adjust to our offense,” said head coach Chance Matsuoka, who oversees the offensive line. “We need them fast, so we make them run. We have super high expectations. I think our performance this year has proven we can run on anybody.
“That doesn’t mean we always will. They’re kids, and if they have an off day we’re going to struggle. If they’re playing to their potential, I would hate to be the guy trying to stop us.”
Bartlett’s offensive line from left to right: Tristan Savelio, Daniel Harris, Ezekiel Posala, Zachary Posala, Torino Sio and Joseph Afe. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
In addition to Alailefaleula, another Bartlett back in the top 10 in rushing yards is Zuriel Guzman at No. 7 with 549. Manu Auelua-Satele ranks in the top-15 with 349. When it comes to rushing TDs, Alailefaleula is second with 12 while Guzman and Auelua-Satele are in the top 10 with seven apiece.
Together, in addition to QBs Colavecchio and Javen Esera, they give Bartlett a rushing attack that has run roughshod over the competition for 2,854 yards in seven games.
They call it a pancake when an offensive lineman puts a defender flat on the ground and the Bears make more pancakes than IHOP.
“The first thing I see when I turn around after handing the ball off or even after I throw is opposing players on the ground,” said Colavecchio. “I mean there wasn’t a game where our guys didn’t have a pancake every other play. They’re just more physical and stronger than everyone else.”
With Bartlett guard Ezekiel Posala leading the way, running back Zuriel Guzman moves up field. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
The Bears (6-1) wear down opponents with a constant barrage of misdirection runs out of the wing-T formation. They do a nice job of disguising who gets the ball and where the play is going.
The precision is a result of months of practice as the players have learned how to execute their assignments on game day.
“I’m most impressed by the coachability of our line,” said Matsuoka, a math teacher who is in his third season at the helm of the football team. “We see something that needs to be fixed on film, work it at practice and it’s fixed by the next game. It’s an O-line coach’s dream.”
Alailefaleula knows what makes Bartlett’s line so effective and provided this quick scouting report on each player:
Joseph Afe: “Always goes 100 percent every play and will always make big blocks.”
Torino Sio: “Moves like a train and blocks aggressively.”
Zachary Posala: “Has a great and powerful first step, and always finishes his blocks.”
Ezekiel Posala: “Very aggressive and fast on his feet.”
Daniel Harris: “Smart and has awareness; always makes crucial blocks.”
Tristan Savelio: “Very physical and quick.”
The Bears don’t have the biggest offensive line in the state, but they might have the quickest.
“Our two guards and center are all linebackers. They are smaller, but very fast, strong, and athletic. Our tackles and TE are all very athletic. The speed and physicality of our line is definitely key to our offensive success this year,” Matsuoka said.
