The Decatur Eagle linemen advanced to the State Lineman Challenge after winning five events to claim the Division II title at the DFW North state qualifier May 31 at Lucas Lovejoy High School. Pictured are (front row) Jared Neponuceno, Shane Elosegui, Kale Jones, Brian Gonzales, Zane Miramontes, Hayden Johnson, (back row) coach Dwight Mincher, Joe Finley, Jackson Hogan, Garrison Fay, Caden Merritt, Mason Duesk, Dillon DoByns, Castin Padron and coach Joe Merritt. SUBMITTED
The Decatur football program is sending their big men to compete against the best linemen in the state next week.
Competing against 5A Division II and 4A teams, the Eagles scored 78 points to win the Division II title at the DFW North state qualifier, held May 31 at Lucas Lovejoy High School, the Eagles will advance to the State Lineman Challenge June 21 at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
“We’re pumped about how we did, and the kids competed well,” Decatur offensive coordinator Dwight Mincher said. “It’s a lot like 7-on-7, but it allows the linemen to compete in what they do. We ended up winning five of the seven events — we showed up and got after it.”
Decatur outscored runner-up Dennison (56) by 22 points. Grapevine finished third with 42.
“It’s all competitions based on being a lineman,” Mincher said. “There’s a 10-yard dumbbell relay, a tire flip contest where you’ve got to flip the tire 15 times, an obstacle course, a sled push, a power drive and a 20-yard farmers walk. The competition I was most proud of our performance was bench press — between five guys, we did 117 reps at 185 pounds, which is pretty good.”
The Eagles’ state-bound linemen — a squad made up of offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers — are Dillon DoByns, Mason Duesk, Shane Elosegui, Garrison Fay, Joe Finley, Brian Gonzales, Jackson Hogan, Hayden Johnson, Kale Jones, Caden Merritt, Zane Miramontes, Jared Neponuceno and Castin Padron. The squad is coached by Mincher and Joe Merritt.
“We’ve got everyone from freshmen to seniors — it’s not like it’s just a group of upperclassmen,” Mincher said. “…Our big kids seem to be moving really well, and our feet are really right now. We’re running around doing things that linemen do, and we’re doing them well.”
Decatur’s trip to the state contest is the first during Mincher’s 4-year tenure.
“With us qualifying for state for the first time since I’ve been here, I think that shows that our program is moving in the right direction,” he said. “Everything’s really starting to align — the principles that Coach [Steve] Huff has brought in, what Coach [Mark] Zimmer’s doing with the guys in the weight room and making sure these guys are athletes and not just linemen.”
Lining up to compete against the best linemen in the state, Mincher believes the Eagles have a shot at success.
“Without a doubt, our kids are going to show up and compete to the best level that they can,” he said. “They showed they’re capable of doing that at the state qualifier. We’ll continue to work on some stuff, and try to get better at a few of the events. But I know every kid we’re taking is going to compete, get after it and live up to that ‘Tough Wins’ on their chests.”
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