BY MARK MORING, Eastern Shore Post, Oct. 3, 2025
At least two things are certain about Northampton High School’s offensive line:
One, it is really good at paving the way for Jacket running backs. The Yellow Jackets (4-1) are averaging almost 300 yards rushing per game.
And two, these guys really enjoy each other’s company and love to laugh.
Case in point: When senior left tackle Reid Travis says he’d like to take a shot at playing tight end, even just for one play, someone asks if he could even catch a pass.
“I bet I could,” he says confidently.
You’d think he just told the funniest joke in the world the way his fellow linemen crack up. Travis smiles and laughs along with them.
So we may never know if Travis could haul in a toss from his quarterback. But we do know that he and his buddies have played a major role in leading Northampton to four straight wins after a season-opening loss. The Jackets hit the road Friday night for a game at Middlesex.
Northampton’s powerful running game is led by seniors Khaidn Davis (454 yards), Elijah Hope (412), and Jeremiah White (336). They’re the ones you notice if you’re watching from the stands, and they’re the ones who typically get their names in the paper.
But the runners — and junior quarterback Lucas Kindt, who has only been sacked once all year — are the first to credit their O-line for making it happen. And the linemen are just fine with the backs being in the limelight because it means they’ve done their jobs.
“We may go unseen as linemen,” says Travis, “and people don’t recognize us as well as the backs and receivers. But we definitely play a big part on the team.”
“It’s fun blocking for these running backs because they get good yards and make plays,” says junior right guard Palmer Hubbard. “We try our best to keep them untouched all game. They’re good, they’re fast, and they’re elusive.”
“I’m happy for the running backs,” adds junior left guard Justin Suarez.
So who are these guys that take such pride in pushing opponents out of the way? In addition to Travis, Hubbard, and Suarez, there’s senior right tackle Jordan Delk, junior center Michael Nottingham, and senior tight end Bryan James.
Coach John Edney considers James one of his linemen since the Jackets rarely pass and James is blocking on most plays.
Does he mind not getting his number called often for pass plays?
“Not really,” he says. “Because when we win, I’m a happy guy.”
There’s a lot of happiness to go around with this group. They’re good friends who like to hang out on weekends, go to the movies, go out to eat, go fishing, and go to other Northampton sports events to cheer on their fellow Jackets.
“Our connection is nice,” says Nottingham. “I’m blessed to have these guys.”
Edney says the line’s camaraderie makes everything more enjoyable.
“It’s great when you have a group of kids who really enjoy being around each other every day,” he says. “It makes practice fun, it makes traveling fun, it makes the sidelines fun.”
Edney says the linemen are cracking jokes and goofing off during water breaks at practice, but when he blows the whistle, “they’re strictly business. They put in a lot of hard work because everything starts up front. If we can’t get it right up there, it doesn’t matter who you’ve got in the backfield.”
“We work together, and we work hard,” says Delk. “We just make the way so the backs can get lots of yards.”
It’s clearly a winning formula. But don’t look for Travis to line up at tight end any time soon. His linemates might just start laughing.
