By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When high school football practice begins in mid-August, linemen will go back to laboring in relative obscurity.
Shawnee Heights junior Rykan Carver, who finished second individually, competes in the obstacle course during Monday's Battle of the Bigs Lineman Challenge at Shawnee Heights. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Monday's Battle of the Bigs Lineman Challenge at Shawnee Heights was all about the men in the trenches.
Fifty-nine linemen from Shawnee Heights, Topeka West, Washburn Rural, Basehor-Linwood, Blue Valley and Royal Valley took part in the Battle of the Bigs, competing in a variety of drills/activities while competing for individual and team prizes.
"We do it because the skill guys get to have fun all summer and the linemen, all they do is push sleds and work in the weight room, so we see this as kind of a way to reward the linemen and kind of create that unity in their unit,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said. "They always say they have a great time.''
Participating athetes took part in nine measured events:
• 40-yard scoop and score.
• Tractor tire flip.
• Pro agility drill.
• 10-yard sled pull.
• 185-pound bench press for reps.
• Medicine ball toss.
• 10-yard sled drive.
• Pursuit drill.
• Obstacle course.
"We wanted to do something fun for the linemen,'' Swift said. "Linemen are always like, 'How come we don't get to do 7 on 7, how come we don't get to do stuff?' So that's why we put this together: 'Let's make it a fun day, non-contact, but competitive. More importantly we want to help build that brotherhood inside the trenches.''
Top 8 Individuals
Zach Pombo – BVHS – 208
Rykan Carver – SHHS – 205
Lukas Hanks – WRHS – 202
Cooper Veit – BVHS – 197
Caleb Seelbach – SHHS – 196
Kyrece Robinson – TWHS – 196
Logan Gail – BLHS – 194
Lincoln Stueve – BVHS -193
Top 4 Teams
Blue Valley High School 984
Shawnee Heights High School 956
Basehor-Linwood High School 932
Washburn Rural High School 911
