Notre Dame player Akil Sledge (24) gets a push from teammate Sam Stovall (55) as he is tackled by Chattanooga Christian player Russell Gadd (33) during their prep football game at Notre Dame High School on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn.The collection of athletes carrying the ball for Notre Dame's offense needs only a small opening, just enough to get a step on the defense, to put up big numbers. But Sam Stovall and the other Fighting Irish linemen believe it's their job to make sure those speedsters have more than just a small amount of real estate to work with.
"As a whole, we're not looking to just give them a sliver. We want to dominate," said the 6-foot-5, 280-pound Stovall, a Western Kentucky commitment who has been a team captain since his sophomore year. "My mindset is I want to put the man in front of me in the dirt. Our backs can make unbelievable cuts and get gone in a hurry, so it's reassuring to have them back there, but I want to make it as easy on them as possible.
"No matter who we line up again, we should get 4-5 yards at least. Not many people can deal with getting put on the ground play after play, and what we're looking for is to break the defense physically and mentally."
For 11 straight games, since a season-opening loss to Baylor, the Fighting Irish offensive line has paved the way for a winning streak that has them playing for a football state championship for the first time in program history. When Notre Dame faces Lausanne in today's Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl game at Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m. EST, Stovall and company expect to play a huge role in the outcome.
TSSAA FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
All Times EasternThursday’s GamesClass 1A: Greenback 42, CornersvilleClass 3A: Alcoa 31, Covington 20Class 5A: Knoxville Catholic 45, Beech 28Friday’s GamesClass 2A: Union City 27, Tyner 21, 2OTClass 4A: Greeneville 54, Springfield 13Class 6A: Maryville 42, Cane Ridge 7Saturday’s GamesDivision II-A: Friendship Christian vs. DCA, noonDivision II-AA: Notre Dame vs. Lausanne, 4 p.m.Division II-AAA: Brentwood Academy vs. MBA, 8 p.m.
"One thing our guys have done a much better job of this season is finishing their blocks," Notre Dame coach Charles Fant said. "Our younger guys see the way Sam and (fellow senior) Jalen Derrick play, and they feed off that."
Joining Stovall (left tackle) and Derrick (right guard) along the line are junior right tackle Alex Flemister, sophomore center Jacob Brigman and freshman left guard Maverick Tucker, all helping Notre Dame average 387 yards and 41 points per game. The Irish have converted 40 percent of their third downs into firsts and have given up just six sacks all season.
That group will have their hands full today against a Lausanne defense that has held five opponents to one touchdown or less and has yet to allow more than 21 points. The Lynx have won 26 straight games and were last year's Division II-A champs.
"They have a talented defense, they're big and fast and don't give up many big plays, so we'll have to be patient at times," Fant said. "We've done a good job all season of preparing for a nameless, faceless team the same way.
"What makes Sam so special is he knows the game and the schemes just like the coaches do. When he sees somebody make the wrong play or step, he's coaching them on the way back to the huddle. He's correcting them before they even get back to us on the sideline. It's a great accomplishment to get where we are, but we've got leaders like Sam who won't be satisfied unless they help us win it."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.