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(GRAHAM ATHLETICS | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) The Steers lineman unit poses after qualifying for the state lineman challenge tournament. The Steers competed in multiple strong man events to advance.
The Graham Steers lineman showed out in a big way this spring during their annual offseason program. The unit competed in the lineman challenge and advanced to the state tournament.
Similar to how the 7on7 leagues are opportunities for skill position players to build chemistry with their teammates and show off some of their playbook for the upcoming season, the lineman challenge is meant to show off the strength and skills of the lineman units while also building camaraderie.
“It consists of a number of strong man competitions that include a sled push for time, a truck push, farmers walk and tractor tire flips just to name a few,” Steers line coach Robert LeFevre said.
The Steers line unit qualified in their first of four potential qualifying tournaments on the weekend of May 24 in Abilene.
The Steers competed against eight teams including Big Spring, Brock, Dumas, Midland Greenwood, Mineral Wells, Snyder, Stephenville and Wylie.
Graham outclassed seven of them, finishing second and advancing to the state tournament. Lefevre said an event that really stood out to him in terms of Graham punching their ticket in Abilene was the tug of war challenge.
“It’s the final event of the day and the winner earns double points to their total,” LeFevre said. “The Steers had five guys compete and they won the event easily defeating Stephenville in the final bout.”
Those five athletes were Macrae Reese, Brennan Strawbridge, Bennett Coley, Tyson Louder and Dominack Glick, who LeFevre also said were standouts from the line unit during the day in Abilene.
LeFevre also expressed confidence in his lineman group going into the state tournament. He said that the group is a strong one that is eager to compete and “feel like they have something to prove after losing a strong senior class.”
LeFevre also said that the unit will be getting back some reinforcements for the state tournament which will only further aid their cause.
“Four or five of our guys were missing at the qualifier because they had prior obligations,” LeFevre said. “Adding those guys, we believe we have a chance to win the state lineman challenge.”
The Steers line unit will have a chance to back up that claim at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Hardin-Simmons University where they will compete for the state lineman crown.
