Jefferson Lee (left) and Blaise Andries (right) were named Co-Players of the Year for football this year.

MARSHALL – In football, a quarterback can’t succeed without a wide receiver running a route to catch his passes. A kicker can’t succeed without a placeholder to keep the ball still while they boot in a long field goal. A running back can’t succeed without an offensive lineman to block for him.

That latter duo was one of the key factors to the success of the Marshall Tigers, specifically junior running back Jefferson Lee V and senior offensive lineman Blaise Andries, whose contributions on the field have earned them the 2016 Marshall Independent Football Co-Players of the Year.

Andries said he was pleased to see their hard work pay off.

“That’s an awesome honor,” said Andries. “We’ve really worked hard this season and couldn’t have done it without our coaches and teammates or the support of the community.”

Andries spends the majority of his time on the field, whether he’s on the offensive end flattening opposing linebackers and blocking for Lee or on the defensive end bullrushing the offense in pursuit of the opponent’s starting quarterback.

“He contributes so much,” said Lee. “Defensively, offensively, he contributes. He’s a force to be reckoned with; taking guys out of plays so that other guys can do their jobs easier.”

Andries’ efforts paid off, as the senior earned a spot on the South team in the Minnesota Football Showcase in Minneapolis on Dec. 3 as well as being a finalist for the Mr. Football award.

Andries said he knows his role as an offensive lineman comes under the radar, but strives to continue to work hard every day.

“To be an offensive lineman, you have be hard working and have to take constructive criticism as well as listen to what your coaches are saying,” said Andries. “You can’t be selfish because you aren’t really getting the news coverage during the game and in practice.”

Behind the blocking of Andries – as well as Jordan Falconer, Andrew Bennett, Cole Beech and Zach Fischer who compile the rest of the offensive line for Marshall – Lee strung together a record-breaking season.

In 12 games, Lee finished second in the area in rushing yards (1,868) and first in rushing touchdowns (38), breaking school records in the process. Lee also set the school record for most career rushing touchdowns, breaking Beau Bofferding’s record.

Lee said his job was made much easier by having the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Andries creating running lanes for him throughout the season, all the while intimidating opponents along the way.

“Nobody can really mess with him. Once he gets going and he starts looking around and the next guy comes at him, you can see them get scared and it makes it so much easier,” said Lee. “They get scared and I just go.”

Andries said Lee’s efforts on the field is shown through his dedication to the game off the field.

“He’s a great athlete and a hard worker,” said Andries. You can tell he loves the game and is a student of the game and he’s willing to do anything to get him and his team better.”

Both players credited each other to their success, as well as talking about the impact their coach, Terry Bahlmann, has had on them. Bahlmann led the Tigers to a school-record 11 wins as well as an appearance in the Class AAAA State Semifinals.

“They’ve both had a big impact. First of all, without coach, I’ve wouldn’t have gotten the chances to show what I’ve gotten to do,” said Lee. “And Blaise just makes it so much easier for me to capitalize on those chances and do something about it.”

Andries added that both have impacted him, with Bahlmann helping shape his game each year.

“Jefferson makes our team look good. He’s able to make the long runs and score touchdowns and get our score pretty high,” said Andries. “I couldn’t be anywhere without coach Bahlmann. He really raised me up from a big freshman to a strong player and he doesn’t let all the news get to me. He keeps me in check a lot.”

Bahlmann said both players are extremely deserving of the accolade after what they contributed on the field this season.

“It represents our team. We had an outstanding year and our offense scored almost 52 points a game, and a lot of that came in the first half,” said Bahlmann. “Those guys are contributors and it’s an honor for them.”

Bahlmann said both players have grown a lot throughout their time at Marshall.

“I think they’ve grown every year and improved. Blaise has done a lot of work on his feet to become better there and as a physical player he’s been able to pull and get on people in space and also play defense for us,” said Bahlmann. “Jefferson’s continuing to improve his hands by catching 200 balls a day and has become much more physical with his blocking.”

Bahlmann added what makes their play on the field special is that both are capable of creating chaos with their size.

“Blaise’s play is very physical; he’s one of the most physical players I’ve ever coached. He has the size to be that kind of guy and be a dominant run blocker and physical player on defense,” said Bahlmann. “Jefferson’s explosiveness is there and his vision makes him a real playmaker for us.”

Bahlmann’s leadership on the sidelines showed as well, as he joined Andries at U.S. Bank Stadium as an assistant coach in the Showcase. He said his success as a coach can be attributed to his players.

“Any time you get a chance to coach great players, it makes you a better coach calling plays,” said Bahlmann. “(Blaise and Jefferson) have been a great representation of our program both on and off the field and it’s been a pleasure to coach both of them.”

Lee will be back on the field for the Tigers next season, and is looking forward to his senior campaign.

“I’m looking forward to have the ability to play again,” said Lee. “I talked to some of the seniors and they were devastated that it was over.”

Although Andries will be trading in his orange and black jersey for the maroon and gold uniform of the University of Minnesota Gophers next fall, he knows his fellow Marshall teammates will continue to improve next season.

“Keep working hard and be good leaders,” said Andries. “And be ready to really go get it again next year.