Worcester, MA --- When Marcus Price breaks Worcester State's all-time rushing record — he needs 101 yards with two regular-season games left — the Lancers' offensive line will celebrate the milestone with him.
"If he breaks the record, it's kind of like us doing it with him," senior center DJ Martin of Mendon said, "because we helped him do it. It's nice to see one of your friends and brothers doing so good."
Price, a senior from Worcester, broke the WSU single-season rushing record last week. His 1,203 rushing yards rank second nationally, his 150.3 rushing average ranks fifth. He's chasing Greg Wood's career record of 3,002 yards.
In addition to clearing the way for Price this season, the offensive line has done a great job protecting senior quarterback Tony Tokarz of Holden, who is also having a career year. Tokarz has completed 51 percent of his passes for 1,346 yards and 19 touchdowns, with nine interceptions, and has been sacked only six times in eight games.
"We're all very close with Tony," Martin said. "We take pride in not letting him get hit. (In 2009), he got pretty banged up (23 sacks). We don't like to see that happen."
Worcester State coach Brien Cullen, who is overseeing the offensive line this season, said the starting group ranks among the best he's had in his 27 years with the Lancers. It consists of Martin, junior left tackle Jeremy Tebo of Leicester, senior left guard Adam Peloquin of Spencer, senior right tackle Robert Johnson of Leicester and sophomore right guard Kyle Morris.
"Just by the numbers, you can tell how they've been," Cullen said. "We returned four of five starters, three of them seniors and they're playing like seniors."
Martin, who played at Nipmuc Regional, has been WSU's starting center since he was a sophomore and did a nice job helping the Lancers' transition to the pistol offense in 2009.The Lancers started 5-0, dropped back-to-back games to Mass. Maritime and Bridgewater State, and rebounded with a 31-30 win over Coast Guard last week. WSU gained 580 total yards against the Bears, the second most in a game in team history.
At 6-2, Worcester State has secured its first winning season since 2004. The Lancers still have an outside chance at the New England Football Conference's Bogan Division title. They'll have to win their last two games and hope for a little help from other teams.