Above are members of Jamestown’s offensive line. Kneeling, from the left, are Brandon Lobb, Cole Joly and Aiden Deveraux. Standing are John Overbeck-Thompson, Aric Bloomquist and Aziyon Wilson-Earll. P-J file photo by Scott Kindberg

Tom Langworthy proved to be prophetic one afternoon nearly three months ago.

“There are going to be all kinds of challenges and things to overcome,” the Jamestown head football coach predicted during a preseason interview, “but we want to be standing in that tunnel on an early Thursday evening in November competing for the sectional title.”

First, the Red Raiders experienced challenges.

Secondly, they overcame them.

And, finally, they did stand in the tunnel at Highmark Stadium prior to dispatching Williamsville North for a Section VI Class A championship.

Today at 6 p.m., Langworthy’s crew will meet host Hilton of Section V in the Far West Regional with a berth in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association semifinal on the line.

The key word in that sentence is “line.”

Because for all the successes Jamestown has had offensively this fall — quarterback Trey Drake passing, Carsen Bane and Radon Wright running, and a quartet of dynamic receivers catching — it wouldn’t have likely happened were it not for a collection of “newbies” up front.

Aric Bloomquist (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), Aiden Deveraux (5-11, 245), Cole Joly (6-0, 180), Brandon Lobb (5-11, 205) and Aziyon Wilson-Earll (5-11, 225) have made Langworthy “really proud.”

“These are guys who have stepped up,” he said.

Keep in mind, none of those five teenagers — three seniors, a junior and a sophomore — saw the field much, if at all, during Jamestown’s 12-1 season in 2021 that ended in the state semifinal.

Joey Delgado, Julian McGaughy, Nick Miraglia, Caleb Bane and Drayce Garland all graduated, leaving the coaching staff to assemble an entirely different group of starters.

“Aric Bloomquist and Brandon Lobb were juniors who didn’t start, but were behind a great line, and they learned,” Langworthy said. “Now, it’s their turn. It’s not just their turn to play, but it’s their turn to lead, and that’s a tremendous part of their legacy. They carry the torch, and then they’re going to pass it to someone else, and that’s really where tradition grows.”

Langworthy admitted that there were “definitely growing pains” during the preseason and in the first two games of the regular season (nonleague losses at Lancaster and Orchard), “but it’s a good lesson for kids to not give up. It’s just a good lesson about improving.”

The results have been apparent.

Drake has thrown for more than 2,300 yards and 27 touchdowns; Bane has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and Wright has accounted for 625; and the receiving corps of Darius Freeney (43 receptions, 770 yards), Carson Panebianco (40-670), Colin Melendez (38-440) and Sean O’Brien (32-424) have provided Drake with plenty of weapons to throw to.

None of that happens without a stout offensive line.

“All these guys who were starting on our line were in the old gym (at Jamestown High School) in March and in April doing linemen stuff,” Langworthy said. “They didn’t just roll in in August and learn it. They put the time in.”

The routine for Bloomquist, Deveraux, Joly, Lobb and Wilson-Earll would be to meet at 6 a.m. Fridays in the school’s weight room and then head to the old gym to continue their workout.

“I called it the ‘Breakfast Club,'” Langworthy said.

But upon arriving early that first morning, the boys discovered that their coach had told a little white lie.

“I think they thought there would be a tray of muffins,” Langworthy said with a smile.

Instead, he advised his new line they could find sustenance in the school’s cafeteria.

And now, “misunderstanding” aside and just days before Thanksgiving, the Red Raiders are feasting, thanks in large measure to the five guys up front.

“I needed them,” Langworthy said, “and they answered the call.”