The Rome Wolves are in one more off week before finishing out the regular season schedule in a three game skid before the playoffs.

The Wolves are ultra talented on both sides of the ball, from receivers, to tight ends, running backs, even all of the positions on defense. Of course everyone knows about that tremendous defensive line. The defensive line is something the Wolves seem to produce year in and year out.

However, the Rome offensive lines are also a spot that continues to be dominate year in and year out. Obviously Rome has had one of the best fronts in the state in the past several years. This season, the Rome offensive line has had to accumulate game experience as the season progresses. It looks as if they have done that. Each game the Wolves offensive line seems to be improving and looking better each week.

It’s obviously a position that’s important or nobody would be able to execute to the best of their abilities. Let’s be honest, it starts with the offensive line, they are the heartbeat of the team. Offensive lines have the dirty job, and hardly no recognition. However, the Wolves offensive line gets credit and rightfully so.

The Rome offensive line has allowed their team to hang 50+ in the past two games. 70-0 versus Woodstock, and 52-0 versus Sequoyah. The Wolves understand that it only gets tougher and in the playoffs, 70 points might now be realistic. Defensive lines will be more of a challenge at times. The Wolves are off to a great start in order to play well in the playoffs, but there are three games left to focus on in the regular season. More region play, two away games and one home game left in the regular season. Jobs not finished, and stay focused is the Wolves mentality.

We spoke with one of the Rome offensive lineman, center (#65) William Byington. Byington is having a great season so far and plans to continue his success on the field along with his fellow offensive lineman.

When speaking to Byington about his confidence he has in himself and his team, Byington is pretty straight forward, “I think we can go as far as we want but we all have to be on the same page” said Byington.

That confidence that Byington speaks of can stem from the relationship he has with his fellow offensive lineman. Byington says they’re all pretty close and hang out often. Everyone knows that is a plus when teammates are able to bond on and off the feild, many would agree that creates the best chemistry.

It’s obvious on how the Wolves are playing that they trust their coaching staff. When asking Byington about how far the expect to go this season, Byington simply says, “State, I feel like our coaching staff has given us all the tools we need to make it to the state championship, now we have to apply them as the season keeps coming”

As most people who know about football, or sports in general at any level, it gets tougher once you enter the playoffs. We asked Byington, how has being able to play in close games and playing in blowouts helped the Wolves in upcoming games knowing that they could be battle tested at any moment. Byington went straight to what most coaches will teach, and that’s discipline. “Discipline! When you’re playing in close games you want to go as hard as you can every down no matter if we are losing or winning” says Byington.

It’s mentalities like this that will give you an edge in any game against any team. Discipline and effort. It seems as if the Wolves have both of those qualities instilled in them by the coaches at Rome High School.

When asking Byington about what his and his team goals are, he went straight to team goals. Byington possess team first qualities and as a center of the offense, that’s what you want. Byington says, “Our goals are to win region and win state”. Simply put, Byington and his Wolves teammates are hungry and goal oriented. The Rome Wolves are looking to take it one game at a time while attempting to accomplish these goals. There are many other teams trying to accomplish the same thing. It’s just a matter of who is most disciplined enough to run and finish the race.

The Rome Wolves are off this week, but will be in preparation mode to travel to RiverRidge Friday October 21 for more big region play. Rome currently sits at the top spot in region 6 6A with a 3-0 region record and a 6-1 overall record.

Kickoff at RiverRidge will be at 7:30pm.