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WASHINGTON, N.C. – It can be a thankless job.

Lots of guts but little glory. They are players on the offensive line who knock heads play after play after play, creating holes for the running backs to hit. They also provide protection until the quarterback can hit a receiver up the field for a big pass play. On defense, they create the holes that allow the linebackers to hit the running back for a loss or sack the quarterback.

They are the linemen, players who set the pace on offense and defense so things can work. They may never touch the football unless the center is snaping it or someone gobbles up a fumble. But those who play on the offensive and defensive lines are key players who can make or break the outcome of a game.

“They are a very important part of our team,” Washington coach Matt Taylor said. “I love what those guys do, and they can make or break how the team plays and whether we can get a win on Friday night.”

Washington’s offensive line has stepped up its game and allowed running back Keondrick Melton to thrive on offense. He’s had multiple long touchdown runs in wins over Pamlico County and West Craven. Sometimes that means players who want to be stars in the skill positions have to do their part instead on the offensive or defensive lines … for the better of the team.

“It’s all because you’re preaching this team before me,” Taylor said. “I mean, we’ve asked running backs to go down and play some low line this year. And they’ve accepted it.

“We’ve asked tight ends to give up their spots and go down and play some guard. I mean, they’ve accepted those roles well.”

At Northside, players like Sincere Columbus have benefitted this season from the offensive line play. The Panthers have struggled at times but have as many big-play moments where players like Columbus can benefit.

One example was Columbus’ big run that led to a Northside touchdown against Rosewood. It was a big-play moment and was one of the reasons the Panthers were able to end a two-game losing streak.

They have won three straight since.

“They’re extremely important,” Northside coach Keith Boyd said. “I mean, our philosophy is, especially with as much as we run the football, if we don’t win up front, we’re probably not winning that Friday night. If we can’t win or find ways to scheme the offense or defense and execute those schemes and techniques, then it doesn’t matter how good in the backfield you are or whether you can throw it or run routes.

“But if you can’t block up front, you can’t win in football. And it’s the same thing on defense. You gotta be able to get stalemates and scrape and play and make it where they can’t block you.

“So the line is my number one priority every year.”

Seeing players like former Northside star C.J. Wilson play on the line can be motivation, too. Wilson went on to play at East Carolina University, won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and is now coaching football at North Pitt High School. So while they may not be stars on the field like some of the other players, their performance is just as important … if not more.

And sometimes that means players will have to perform on both lines, which requires knowledge of what’s going on, reaction time and versatility.

“Without a doubt, I mean, when it really gets down to it, nitty gritty, when a game, especially games like this, it’s gonna come down to upfront stuff,” Southside coach Jeff Carrow said after his team’s effort in a four-overtime loss to Washington County earlier this season. “I’m an offensive line guy, I played offensive line, defensive line myself. These guys, that’s my natural coaching position.

“You gotta take pride being a team within a team. Do the dirty work, like you said, you don’t get the glory for it. But you gotta take pride in doing your job, blue-collar stuff.

“And then D-line, we got a great group of guys to play a little bit of both sides. We rotate some guys in, but just being ultra-aggressive and learning the game and being disciplined on the D-line, finding that perfect defensive fit.”

And part of that is due to not having a lot of players on the team. Southside, Northside and Washington are averaging around 30 players on their squads, barring injuries and other obstacles. So playing on both sides of the ball is a lot of times a necessity.

“We don’t get the privilege of having tons of depth,” Carrow said. “We take pride in trying to work all our guys and get them up to par.

“But some guys are gonna have to go both ways. And we try to give them breaks when we can, but just to embrace that, that you’re gonna step up and have to play both sides of the ball.”