Warren County Football- Where's the Beef?
Where's the Beef?
What is 19 feet 2 inches in height and weighs 918 pounds? You guessed it! The combined height and weight of three dominating lineman at Warren County High School. Matt Walker, Matt Strickler, and Ben Widmer return for their final season together of playing football at Warren County. The friendship that these guys have formed off the field has also helped in terms of trusting and looking out for one another on the football field. Matt Walker and Matt Strickler have lined up beside each other at right guard and tackle for four years; Widmer is in his second season and anchors the left tackle position.
The 2005 season was a record setting time for the Warren County Football team! Running Back H B Banjoman broke the ten game regular season Virginia state rushing record with an amazing 2606 yards. While Banjoman carried the ball for the record, it is safe to say that Walker, Strickler, and Widmer allowed for this record to be broken. Many people view the record breaking year as an individual record but that is false. It takes a total team effort to accomplish such an amazing task! "We will always know that we were a major part of breaking that state record," exclaimed Walker.
At first glance at these players you are sure to be in awe of their size but once a player locks up with them at the line of scrimmage they know these guys are for real. At 6'7" 320 Ben Widmer is the strongest player of the three. Matt Strickler is 6'5" 343; he uses his size and intelligence to overpower opponents. Matt Walker is the runt of the group at 6'2" 255.
All three players have a passion for playing the line and they all feel the same about why they like their positions. "We live for the crack back and pancake types of blocks," states Widmer. While the offensive line is very important, all three players say the worst part of being a lineman is never being able to touch the ball.
Preparing for the physical demands of the line play in practice has been challenging for the talented trio of players. "Coach Cupp pushes us pretty hard in practice but we all know he is just getting us ready for our games," says Strickler. Driving the sled for forty yards sometimes and performing hit it gasers for fifty yard bursts can wipe the smile off your face pretty fast but the end result is worth the pain.
Matt Walker, Matt Strickler, and Ben Widmer are serious on the football field but they also know how to have fun! Each player brings their own unique personality to the table. Their Offensive Line Coach Bill Cupp feels blessed to have worked with such a great group of kids over the past three seasons. "These players have been very productive at what they do and I think that they have had a good time along the way. They will be missed next season," stated Coach Cupp.
The players know that this is their last year playing together and they plan on making the most of it. " The best part of high school football is the Friday night lights. That is a special feeling running out onto the field," says Walker. You can be sure that every game this season will be played as if it were these guys last
