For Oak Ridge High School sophomore Lucas Werly, the motivation comes from competing alongside his teammates and working toward a goal they share: bringing home a state championship.
The Class of 2029 lineman plays on both sides of the ball, lining up at nose guard and defensive end on defense and offensive tackle on offense. His role puts him in the middle of the physical battles that help determine what happens at the line of scrimmage.
After missing Weeks 1–4 because of an injury, Werly has recorded eight tackles, including two tackles for loss, and half a sack. On offense, he reports numerous pancake blocks, contributing to Oak Ridge’s effort in the trenches.
Last year, Werly received Lineman of the Year honors. This season, his focus is on building upon that recognition while helping his team pursue postseason success.
What keeps him working is simple: “Grinding for that state title every day and competing with my boys to get better.”
That connection with his teammates is central to how Werly describes his ambitions. His goals begin with helping Oak Ridge win a section championship and extend to competing for a state title.
For Werly, individual production is part of a larger purpose. Every tackle, block and opportunity to improve is another chance to contribute to the championship run he wants to share with his team.
