The Longhorn Linemen Challenge isn’t something that Tascosa specifically trains for, Rebels head coach Ken Plunk said.
But it is something his players happen to do well.
That was evidenced by the Rebels linemen corps winning the event for the second straight year last month during Caprock High School’s 7-on-7 football tournament, held the weekend of June 14. It was part of a good stretch over all for the Tascosa program, which also won the tournament for the fifth consecutive time, Tascosa Football’s Twitter account reported.
Plunk told Texas Scorecard that linemen competitions usually consist of events like bench-press repetitions, sled-push relay, tug of war, truck push and others. The winning team has to finish in the top few spots in each category to win; Plunk said the Rebels placed first or second in most every event.
“No. 1, we go to those things to have a good time,” Plunk said. “We are competitive and we do want to win it, but we are going there to have a good time and compete a little bit.”
The success during the summer could portend good times again this fall for the Rebels program.
Plunk considers the offensive line a strength going into this coming season, citing the experience the crew has.
“We’ve played a ton of games with those kids,” Plunk said.
Last year, going into the Rebels’ semifinal game, the offensive line had plowed the earth for a running attack that notched about 458 rushing yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry.
The Rebels return three offensive linemen who earned All-District honors after last season, in which Tascosa reached the state semifinals. Brandon Gonzalez was named to the first team as a guard, while Sobhan Soleymani and Logan Fulton received honorable mention at tackle and guard, respectively.
This year, Gonzalez will switch to center, Plunk said, which will help the team and the lineman in recruiting. Plunk said Gonzalez is being recruited, but doesn’t know what the lineman’s plans are.
“He’s a good athlete for a big kid — that’s the main thing,” Plunk said of Gonzalez. “He has a little bit of length, he’s not short, he’s a good weight-room kid.”
The coach said the linemen were having a good summer. They lift every day and do general agility drills, and will be moving forward with more skills training. The University Interscholastic League allows for two hours of skills training per week, Plunk said.
