PREP PREVIEWS: Lee O-Line bonds through bowling, daily contests

Lee offensive linemen Vonte McKitchen and Dimitri McKee are part of the close bond that has been built with four years together in the program. (Graham Dunn)

By GRAHAM DUNN

Robert E. Lee seniors Dmitri McKee and Vonte McKitchen would agree that no other athlete in sports is stereotyped more than an offensive lineman.

“We get blamed for everything when a play doesn’t work and we’re used to it,” McKitchen said, “but an offensive play can’t work without us.”

McKee and McKitchen are part of an offensive line group that has been together since they were freshmen at Lee. They have grown to the point that there are few moments in the day they aren’t together doing something.

“We like to swim, play basketball… all (five) of us,” McKitchen said.

“It keeps us together and we bond,” McKee added. “We have a lot of fun away from football.”

A typical day for the Lee linemen consists of workouts, (a big) lunch and a trip either to the pool, basketball court or even to the bowling alley where the competition can get a little testy.

“We talk a lot of junk,” McKitchen admits. “We are together every day.”

The bowling scores may not be much to write home about and the best of the bunch may be another senior, Jaqueze McLemore, who brakes 100 more than the rest.

As for McKee and McKitchen…. “I win some and Jaqueze wins some,” McKitchen says. “We alternate.”

McKee is still looking to break 100.

It’s all part of the plan for coach Eric Hudson, who has brought the group along through thick and thin. While the Generals have dealt with struggles over the past few years, the rushing attack has been steady.

“They’ve been in the fire the last four years,” Hudson said. “We started them as freshmen. They are the heart and soul of our football team. I think we can make it happen if they continue to improve. They hold each other accountable.”

With mass transfer taking place among city schools, Hudson wasn’t sure he would have all of them reached their senior year with the Generals.

“We didn’t know if we could keep them together,” he said. “With them being good friends, it has helped them stay together. They sacrifice for each other.”

It helped the last two years to have all-state running back Reggie Davis in the lineup. He’s moved on to the Mocs of Chattanooga leaving the group the task of opening holes for somebody else.

“We knew (Davis) would run through whatever hole we make for him,” McKee said. “He usually got the right place so we didn’t have to worry about that.”

The group has its moments when someone misses an assignment, the others might take him to task.

That happens at the bowling alley, too.

“We argue about five minutes and we cool down. Sometimes we have to walk away for a little while but we always come back,” McKitchen said.

“Now and then, I have to calm them down,” Hudson said. “I tell them to run it until you get it right. It helps they have been together and they get right back and support each other.”

If Lee is to return to the Class 6A playoffs, the O-line might be the key.  But Hudson likes the experience and the fact that his offense has come along with a better  set of workouts.

“It has helped to have a full year together with this (offensive) group,” Hudson said. “Everybody is on the same page now. The linemen are in tune with the quarterback and he is in tune with the receivers. It should look better than last year.”

That doesn’t take away from the expectations this group has for its final year together.

“We have to be more consistent,” McKitchen said. “We didn’t play hard on every play. We cant do that this year.”