MADISON- After three consecutive 5-6 seasons, the majority of the roster of players for the Bob Jones Patriots, including 23 seniors, know their reputation is on the line during the 2024 season. Those individual players who play among the offensive or defensive lines have taken upon their personal pride to lead the charge into the upcoming battles as the season unfolds.

The linemen on offense call their unit “Family,” while the even more aggressive defensive linemen have labeled their component the “Trench Mafia.”

“Our D-line coach came up with that name for us,” said Chandler Vaughn (DE, 6-2, 250, Sr.), a three-year starter at end and one-time offensive lineman, who is expected to come off the end position with a vengeance. “Our defensive line is senior heavy so we know how to face adversity anywhere on the field. We typically go out there as a hard-hitting squad.”

Kelvis White, in his fifth season as head coach, looks at his offensive line as being the heart and soul of his 2024 team. “The group is one of the best I’ve coached as the top six linemen come into the season as seniors with loads of experience,” added White.

Sam Grimes (OL, 6-3, 284, Sr.) senior spokesman for the offensive line, who carries a 4.69 grade point average and scored a 33 on his ACT, knows all too well how the togetherness the O-line plays has that feeling of a family. “We’re always together, even in the off-season, as we always motivate each other and try to hold up the rest of the team on our shoulders,” said Grimes. “We’re usually the last in fame, but first to blame, but we’re ready for it.”

Last season, the Patriots’ starting quarterback went out early in the season due to a knee injury so the offense shifted to a more run oriented game focus very quickly. The O-line unit took it upon themselves to help make the transition smoothly. Grimes added, “We went seven linemen just smash-mouth run it down the middle and I think that’s our basis and I think our run game is gong to be pretty prominent, plus we enjoy running the ball.”

“This group on defense will fly all over the place as they have been working to do better at tackling,” said White of his squad which has eight starters returning.

Vaughn, who is also a starter on the school’s basketball team, wants to meet his goal of building good character on the team and understands and loves the idea of a great amount of experience is alongside him on the defensive line. “Our summer workouts included a lot of one-on-one with our offensive line and we worked hard to improve.”

Grimes will start at right guard and have his “family” alongside with three-year starter David Alexander (OL, 6-1, 250, Sr.) at left tackle, center Sam Allen (OL, 6-0, 245, Sr.) and Drake Jackson (OL, 6-4, 345, Sr.) at left guard. Add right tackle Aaron Young (OL, 6-6, 275, Sr.), who has turned into a top prospect, and you have a family who blocks together, will stay together.

Vaughn will look down his defensive line and see nose guard Jontez Washington (DL, 6-1, 300, Sr.), Tristen Rice (DL, 6-0, 210, Sr.) Tyler Karl (DL, 6-2, 200, Jr.) and Josh Williams (NG, 5-10, 300, So.).

The combo of talent and experience is on board for both the D-line and O-line and those attributes will certainly help both units earn its nicknames in the trenches, be it either the Family or the Trench Mafia.