Linemen get time to shine in offseason at Hogg Challenge in Merced

Offensive linemen usually go unnoticed. It’s a faceless position with the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers receiving much of the spotlight.

During the spring and summer, when teams compete in seven-on-seven passing tournaments, offensive and defensive linemen aren’t involved.

“We get outshined by the running backs and all the skilled players,” Golden Valley junior tackle Raul Villa said. “The offensive linemen are the first ones to get blamed and the last ones to get recognized.”

Golden Valley assistant coach Sergio Martinez is shining the spotlight on linemen Friday when Golden Valley hosts the inaugural Hogg Challenge. Offensive and defensive linemen from Golden Valley, Buhach Colony, Atwater, El Capitan, Stone Ridge Christian and Los Banos will compete in drills and activities.

“With all the seven-on-seven competitions, the linemen are just obsolete,” Martinez said. “There’s nothing for them to do competitively. When I was in school, I did one of these, and it helped build camaraderie between the guys. It gave us something to do. I think this is something we can put together every year with maybe it rotating sites.”

The Hogg Challenge begins at 9 a.m. Each team is bringing 10 to 15 linemen. There will be four fields of competition, including weights, on-field agility, football-related drills and strong-man events.

The weightlifting competition will be run by Golden Valley strength and conditioning coach Marcelo Martinelli. The agility events will include sprints and bag drills. Five-man and one-man sleds will be used in the football-related activities. The ironman events will include some things seen in strong-man competitions like pulling a vehicle.

The competition will end with a team tug of war, barbecue and swim party. Score will be kept during the events, and a team champion will be crowned.

“This is something where the kids can get something out of it,” Martinez said. “They get to compete and see where they’re at compared to some other schools.”

Villa and his teammates are looking forward to the challenge.

“Of course, football is a competition, and we love to compete,” Villa said. “It’ll be interesting to see what the other schools have and how we stack up.”

Former Atwater lineman Nick Rae, who went on to play at Merced College and Nevada and is now coaching at Stone Ridge Christian, will serve as the guest speaker.

Golden Valley coach Dennis Stubbs said Martinez has taken the idea of the Hogg Challenge and run with it.

“The linemen had nothing to do, and they work extra hard,” Stubbs said. “We have a good group of linemen, and they do a lot of stuff together, and Sergio thought this would be a good idea. He talked to a few coaches, and they liked the idea.

“He’s done all the work. I didn’t do anything except make sure we have the stadium reserved.”

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 6:32 PM with the headline "Linemen get time to shine in offseason at Hogg Challenge in Merced."