LEWISTON, Maine – If you walk by a Bates football practice at the right time, you will hear a loud chant emanating from Garcelon Field.

"Pizza! clap clap Party! 

Pizza! clap clap Party!"

The chant for a pizza party comes from the 14 biggest guys on the roster, the offensive linemen. Or, as they are known at Bates, "the Hogs" — a nod to the Washington Commanders' famed offensive line a generation ago, and a compliment to this unit's eager tenacity on every play. 

"Whenever we need to get a little pick-me-up, the pizza-party chants get the guys happy again," fifth-year senior offensive tackle Peter Simplicio says. "And it reminds us that we're here to play football and have fun." 

The offensive linemen at Bates have big personalities to match their big frames. The pizza-party chants aren't random; the group gets together every Sunday to eat pizza and watch NFL games. It's a great way to build camaraderie in a unit that must work as one to have success. 

The starting five of Simplicio (West Hartford, Conn.), first-year Ryder Smith (Hubert, N.C.), first-year Matthew Pierotti (Hanover, Mass.), sophomore John Antolik (Phoenix, Ariz.) and sophomore Kevin McDonald (Atlanta, Ga.) come to Bates from all over the country, and they're a big reason the Bobcats rank second in the NESCAC in rushing yards through four games this season. 

Simplicio is the most experienced Hog, having never missed a game during his time as a Bobcat. Both his older brothers played football for Bates, as did his dad, Chip Simplicio '91. His mom, Julie Roche Simplicio '91, was a key part of the undefeated 1989 Bates women's volleyball team and a 1,000-point scorer in women's basketball. 

"I've always known Bates as a second home," Simplicio says. "I'm very happy I made the decision to come here because it's been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I've fallen in love with this place." 

Smith, an offensive guard who grew up in Colorado, started playing football in second grade. 

"I was a tight end until eighth grade, but I had a few too many cheeseburgers and got moved to the offensive line," Smith says. "I didn't like the defensive line, because there was too much running, so I mostly stuck at O-line." 

Pierotti has stepped in right away as the starting center, a particularly impressive feat considering he only started playing the position last year as a senior in high school.

"It was hard at first to get a handle on snapping the ball," Pierotti says. "I made a few mistakes, such as snaps that went over my quarterback's head. But after that, it honestly became natural. I don't even think about it."

Antolik, who hails from Arizona but went to high school in Florida, was the starting center last year as a rookie for the Bobcats. With the arrival of Pierotti, Antolik has moved to guard, which is fine by him. 

"I really like not having to snap the ball this year," Antolik says. "So I appreciate Matt and am so happy for him. He's a dog. He plays all-out, all the time." 

McDonald bookends the offensive line as the other tackle opposite Simplicio. Of all the Hogs, he started playing football at the youngest age. 

"In Georgia, you pretty much start playing football as soon as you can walk," McDonald says. "I've been playing football since I was in kindergarten. I always liked the vibe of the O-line the most. The selflessness of being on the line is really important to me and that really gets me excited playing for all the guys around me." 

When asked what led this geographically diverse set of linemen to Bates, each Hog gives a similar answer. It's the culture being built by third-year head coach Matt Coyne and his staff, including Owen Watrous, in his third season as offensive line coach under Coyne. 

As a position group, the offensive line "is one of the hardest on the field because you're going to get tested physically every single play," Watrous says. "When we do win, we understand that other people are going to get the attention, but we know how important we are as a position group and we have to have that mindset of just working hard every single play." 

The offensive line did receive some attention recently, when they were named to the D3football.com Team of the Week after Bates defeated Wesleyan in Middletown, Conn., for the first time since 1981. 

The recognition was well-deserved, says Watrous, noting that the group has yet to commit a holding penalty this season and has embraced the run-first mentality of the 2024 Bobcats. 

"I was so happy for them because it showed how hard they've worked from last year when we were 0-9, and they still came to work every single day and busted their tails during the off-season, and in the workouts, and all the morning runs, and everything we do with them."

Still, the D3 honor surprised Watrous, who didn't think the unit played all that well against the Cardinals.

"I know when we had the film session the next day we understood that wasn't our best game and we could have been way better," Watrous says. "So we had the toughest week of practice following that award. They knew it, and I knew it, and I told them on Sunday, that wasn't our best and we have to be better than that." 

The next week, the offensive line turned in perhaps their best performance of the year against Colby, helping the Bobcats run for a season-high 277 yards. 

To a man, the Hogs appreciate Watrous' high standards. They also appreciate the welcoming environment that "Coach Wat" has created. 

"At first I was kind of nervous about picking where to play football, coming from so far away and a culturally different area," McDonald says. "And then I met Coach Wat on my tours and visits, and just through texting him. And now two seasons in, I've found a home. Coach Wat cares so much for us and it means a lot to the whole program when you see five players on the line playing for their coach."

Through four games, sophomore Ryan Lynskey (Cranford, N.J.) and junior Sergio Beltran (East Palo Alto, Calif.) are the beneficiaries of the line's fierce run-blocking. Lynskey leads the NESCAC with 92.3 rushing yards per game and five rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Beltran missed the first two games due to injury before busting out for 102 rushing yards and a touchdown in week four against the Mules.

"I just kind of live through their glory, which I'm happy with," Smith says. "It's fun for me because I get to hit every play, and that's what I want to do. So I don't look at it as, 'I don't get individual glory,' because they're getting glory and that's good enough for me."

These skill-position players appreciate what the Hogs bring to the table.

"It's exciting when they block everything perfectly, and all you can see is green grass," Beltran says. "It's one of the best feelings, and it's all because of them." 

While the starting five offensive linemen usually play the entire game for Bates, Pierotti got injured during the Colby game. Senior Eli Dawson (Montclair, N.J.), who has not played very much during his time as a Bobcat, was asked to step up. And he answered the call, as the line didn't miss a beat.

"Eli's the only other senior in the group, so we're kind of like the two old vets," Simplicio says. "It's just really good looking down the line; I see him there and I know it's someone I can trust." 

And for the Bates offensive line, trust is all-important. 

"It's five guys that are all working as one," Watrous says. "You can't hide on the offensive line. If one person messes up, the whole group messes up. Our position group embraces that, embodies that. And we always have to work together."

It's an interesting contrast. While the offensive linemen have some of the biggest personalities on the team, they are also, arguably, some of the most down-to-earth. The team's success is their success.

"When Ryan Gleason had his 86-yard touchdown catch against Wesleyan, Big Pete and I were trying to follow him to the end zone, but we ended up getting tired and just started celebrating at the 50-yard line," Smith says. "Celebrating with the guys after a big play and a big drive is always fun." 

And with four of the five starters being underclassmen, the future is bright for the Hogs.

"The sky's the limit for these guys," Simplicio says. "The coaches really are putting this program in a new spot and it's going to take off to new heights that Bates football hasn't seen in a long time. So I see nothing but success for these guys for the rest of this season and then going forward in their careers."