20 June 2023
TOPEKA (KSNT) – When it comes to star football players, quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers quickly come to mind. It’s easy to forget the big men battling on the line.
To give the linemen the opportunity to be the stars for the night, Shawnee Heights High School hosts the “Battle of the Bigs.”
“These kids that play the line, they don’t get their name in the newspaper,” Shawnee Heights football coach Jason Swift said, “…but they determine a lot of football games.”
Schools from across Topeka and Kansas City areas traveled to Shawnee Heights Monday night to take part in the event.
“If a quarterback has success or a running back runs for a long distance or scores a touchdown, it’s a big part of what the linemen do,” Swift said.
Players compete individually in events, but have team scores are also kept for groups with multiple linemen competing.
The events the linemen participated in include:
185-pouund bench press
Medicine ball toss
Sled pull
Sled push
Pro agility
Obstacle course
Pass rush drill
Tire flip
40-yard scoop and score
Football players from Shawnee Heights, Washburn Rural, Topeka West and others were all in attendance.