Playing o-line is all about playing for the team, says OL Masri-Fliss

The men on the line often go unnoticed. As offensive linemen, their job is one of little praise, but holds so much importance to the game. It’s a reality that Alex Masri-Fliss knows all too well.

Having spent five years on the offensive line, Masri-Fliss uses football to release pent up emotions in a constructive manner. “For me, football is a way to bring my everyday frustration on the field. When I’m on the field, the only things that matter are to protect my quarterback and to open some gaps for my running back,” he said.

“O-line is a very special position in football. The only position who doesn’t have stats, which means you have to play for the team, not for you,” he added. “People who know a bit about football know that games are won in the trenches.”

Masri-Fliss currently plays for his high school team, Le Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (RSEQ). During his career, he has been aided by his offensive line coach, Dominic Picard, a former CFLer. Masri-Fliss said he has significantly helped him with his technique and football IQ.

“I really think no high school players are coached like we are at Le Blizzard,” he added. Standing at 6’3, 217lbs, Masri-Fliss also believes his size helps give him an edge at his position.

With one more year of high school left, Masri-Fliss is open to all considerations. While he doesn’t have any concrete plans as of late, he said he wants to play for a NCAA Division 1 team. Although balancing school and athletics can be difficult, the young lineman has Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, to look up to.

“He is the proof that you can work hard at school and dominate your sport at the same time,” Masri-Fliss said. Duvernay-Tardif is a McGill alumnus where he studied medicine before playing in the NFL.

With the 2017 season well underway, Masri-Fliss entered his final high school season with one goal in mind. “Me and my teammates are looking for a second ring in a row. We have the talent; we have the mentality. We just need to play our game and everything will be fine,” he said.

Last season, Le Blizzard defeated Les Loups de Curé-Antoine-Labelle (RSEQ Juvénile Division 1) in the Bol d’Or. “Winning a ring with the ones who had worked so hard with you is unbelievable,” Masri-Fliss said.

Masri-Fliss also partook in the “showcase de l’académie des athletes” in Montréal, Québec, where he was ranked in the top 12 out of 200 participating players.

“I think that I’m ready for the next step. I have all the tools and my comprehension of the game is really good,” Masri-Fliss said. “For sure my speed is something I would like to work on during the offseason.”

Alex Masri-Fliss (#65)
Offensive lineman
6’3, 217lbs

Teams: Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François, Team Québec, Team Canada
Official visits: none
Unofficial visits: none
Considerations: open
Class: 2018 (high school)