SANFORD — James Titcomb, Andrew Gregoire, Zach Perigo, Chase Smith-Roberts, Tyler Neuville.

These are the names of the offensive lineman for the Sanford football team.

When Alex Shain are Jon Schroder are being interviewed after a game for rushing for more than 100 yards and multiple touchdowns, it’s these five players who walk off the field, not receiving glory, but happy just as still for having won the game.

They are the reason for the top rushing attack in York County. One that doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Under their blocking, the Redskins have enjoyed being one of the top teams in Western Class A football thus far in 2011. Sanford is 2-1 on the season, and as an offense, they are averaging 35 points per game, a statistic the Redskins couldn’t brag about last season, even with a skilled running back like Shawn Goodrich.

Before the 2011 season, head coach Mike Fallon stated the play of his offensive line would determine the season.

“You hate to put that type of pressure on one group of kids, because it’s a team game, but it is (important),” Fallon said before the season. “It’s the most critical part of the game that the average fan sitting in the stands doesn’t even pay attention to, but it’s such a critical part of the game. Those guys never get their name or picture in the paper, but they are such vital pieces.”

Titcomb, one of the senior players on the line, along with Gregoire, said it was important to get the unit to play together cohesively early.

“We knew that would be important,” Titcomb said. “We lost seniors last year that were on the line. We had three openings that we knew were going to be played by some younger guys, not playing varsity. Just getting them to learn the ropes was the most important thing, so we could hit the ground running when we started this season.”

The line even got together during the summer before camp even started, doing drills and preparing for the season. Titcomb explained that the lineman even have special stickers on their helmets this season, each sticker sporting a feather, representing a key block each of the lineman has made during the season.

The group even hangs out together in school.

“We’re basically just like a family,” Gregoire said. “In the hallways at school, we all say hi to each other. At lunch, we’ll sit with each other. If a play goes wrong, we’ll just say ”˜Hey, don’t focus on that play anymore, just keep going.’”

The line responded. In the very first game of the season, Sanford beat Biddeford 49-30. The line cleared the way for running back Alex Shain, who dashed to 264 yards on the ground, along with five touchdowns.

In Week 2 against Scarborough, the line paved the way for running back Jon Schroder, who gained 140 yards on the ground, along with two touchdowns, as the Redskins upset the Red Storm 23-12.

Even in a losing effort to South Portland last week, the offensive line kept Sanford in the game. Shain rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns, and Schroder added a 6-yard touchdown run, as the Redskins lost 42-34.

Titcomb said it’s been fun for he and his linemates to see Shain and Schroder have success running the ball.

“It’s a lot of fun blocking for guys like that,” Titcomb said. “Because you know that anytime you block for a second or two seconds, you can see them break one off down the sideline, you’re running into the endzone for a touchdown. It’s just fun watching those guys get past us, get to that second level and just go.”

Now, the line is dealing with its toughest challenge: beat the defending state champions.

The Redskins hit the road on Saturday to play Cheverus, who beat Bangor 46-8 to win the Class A state title last season, and have started 2011 off with a 3-0 record. The Stags are averaging 44 points per game on offense, while allowing just 13 points per game on defense.

During practice on Wednesday, the lineman work their normal routine. They start off the offense session by working on their blocking techniques on the chutes, before moving over to their run period, where they will work on which run plays they will perform against the Stags on Saturday.

As a fun part of conditioning at the end of practice, Fallon had not just the lineman, but all of the players push around the five-man blocking sled.

“It’s great fun, because we get into wars on the left side and right side (of the sled),” Titcomb said. “You’re always trying to spin the other side. You’re trying to team with other guys to get off the ball fast, try to drive the sled as far as you can for the amount of time you have. Whether you’re with a lineman or with a skill guy, you’re jacked because you want to drive that sled hard.”

The Redskins are entering Saturday’s game as a clear underdog, a label the team has held for multiple weeks this season. But its a label Sanford doesn’t mind having, and have even embraced it.

“I like being the underdog,” Gregoire said. “Whenever I’m watching a football game on T.V., I’m rooting for the underdog, because everyone wants to see the underdog win. It’s a great feeling beating that team that supposedly is 10 times better than you, and you just go ahead and stomp them.”

The Redskins will have their chance on Saturday. And if it happens, it will be due in part by the blocking of the offensive line.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318.