With a freshman quarterback calling plays, the Greencastle football team has leaned on its offensive line to protect and they have come up big thus far. 

Especially, senior Jackson Buis, who plays on both sides of the ball for the Tiger Cubs. 

The 6-foot-3-inch, 290-pound standout is off to a fast start on the offensive line for Greencastle, who will put its 2-2 record on the line Friday against Sullivan. 

"My father got me into football at a young age when he got out of college coaching for nine years. He coached at Northwestern, Grand Valley State and Eastern Michigan," Buis told The Putnam County Post.

Last week, Greencastle moved to 2-2 after knocking off South Putnam, 51-49 in come from behind fashion. The win moved the Tiger Cubs. to 1-0 in the county race, as well. 

Buis said the season has gone well so far for his team. 

"It's going really well. We've played two really good teams in week one and two, but I think we do have a chance to win out the rest of our season. I believe we will end up winning our county and conference and make an amazing run in the playoffs," Buis said. 

While he is having success as an offensive lineman, Buis admits the start of his time as a lineman did not go well. 

"No young kids wants to put his hand in the dirt and not be able to run the ball. When I got older and started to enjoy it, I took it very seriously, trying to get better every day. I take great pride in the position. I worked to the best of my ability to get where I am, and I still believe I have more to learn and get better. Last season, I spent a bit of time teaching our middle school program the importance of it, helping them with drills and how to get better. I want the younger groups to have just as much pride that I have in the position," Buis said. 

As for who he owes his success to, Buis said there's two people that have helped make him the player he is today -- his father and the late Greencastle coach Mike Meyer. 

"Almost all of my success goes to my father. He had taught me everything I needed to know and got me to the point where I am today. But I also thank my high school head coach Mike Meyer. I couldn't get to where I am without him giving me the opportunity to play. Coach Meyer had definitely played a part in my success, but he sadly passed away, and our new coach has pushed me to be even better than I am now," he said. 

The pushing has paid off for Buis, who entered last week not allowing a sack and recording 11 pancake blocks. 

In addition, he recently committed to Saginaw Valley State. 

"They made me feel like I was at home and the culture they have is hard to beat. Also, Coach Brady and Coach Ekens are two fantastic coaches. With my father being around a lot of different types of coaches, he even told me they're two great coaches, which gave me more comfort. It also wasn't just athletics that set them apart from everyone, but their academics are amazing as well," Buis said.