BENSALEM — When your team isn't experiencing a great deal of success, football players tend to emphasize the game within the game.

That's no different for Bensalem junior two-way lineman Jake Quinlan.

Individual battles have become more essential for Quinlan.

"Just try and win every rep," said the soft-spoken Quinlan.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Quinlan has more than held his own in that area, which Bensalem third-year head coach Alex Houston realizes.

"To be honest, we want the guys to focus on your job individually (and) your own assignment," Houston said. "When enough of us do that, the collective result is often better. Too many times we have guys focusing on what other guys are doing instead of what they are supposed to be doing."

But Friday night's 52-20 Homecoming victory over Hatboro-Horsham was an encourarging development and the 2-6 Owls' signature win of the season, since the 4-4 Hatters should make the District One Class 5A playoffs. It showed what Bensalem, with its core of sophomore skill-position players, is capable of.

Quinlan and the offensive line opened up big holes for sophomore running backs Aidan Mayfield (15 carries for 228 yards with four total touchdowns) and Thomas Bailey (nine rushes, 104 yards with two scores) in a dominant performance.

The Owls scored more points in the first half (35) than in any of their first seven games this fall. Their previous high was 22 points in a win over Council Rock North.

"The offense had our way," said Quinlan afterward. "We're just going to keep it going the next two weeks (against Council Rock South and Souderton) and keep fighting."

On Mayfield's 27-yard TD run early in the third quarter, Quinlan pulled from his guard position and made the kickout block that sprung Mayfield around right end while knocking the defender into a second defender.

"He's an animal of a football player," said Houston, admiringly, of big No. 60.

Quinlan became the Owls' starting center midway through his freshman year of 2021 on the way to a 5-5 overall record. He remained the starter at center for a 2-8 squad last year and moved to guard this season, as well as becoming the starter at defensive tackle.

"He is committed, dependable and accountable," Houston said. "He's a great athlete who keeps getting better each year. As we look to build a winner here, he is an organizational foundation-type of player — someone who can lead the way by example of how to play and what it takes to win."

Quinlan has taken more of a leadership role as an upperclassman, which is almost as important as what he does on the field with a team trying to establish itself and build a better future.

"Just lead by example and not point fingers," Quinlan said is his approach. "No excuses (and) just do my job."

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Quinlan's been an offensive lineman since he started playing organized football for the Bucks County Bears at the age of 5. Now 16, Quinlan prides himself on his consistency and knowledge of the interior offensive line positions.

He believes he's improved the most since freshman year in his pass blocking and technique.

"Jake is dedicated to his craft," Houston said. "(He's) always looking to improve both on the field and off the field. (He's) one of our strongest players through great work in the offseason. He plays with a seriousness and physicality that rubs off on his teammates. (With) a focused and committed attitude in practice, (he) gives great effort in making himself the best player that he can be."

Owning a 4.25 GPA and leaning toward being an accounting major, Quinlan plans to play football in college. He had a game-day visit at Temple and attended Villanova and Lehigh camps.

In terms of Quinlan's overall value to Bensalem, which hasn't had a winning season since going 6-5 in 2004 under Dan McShane, it increases all the time.

The way Houston views the situation, Quinlan could be laying the foundation for the results the coach and his staff desperately want, given everything Quinlan is doing for the Owls.

"All he had to do was play (as a ninth-grader)," Houston said. "Now as he has gotten older, he sees the importance of the older guys providing the blueprint for the younger guys."

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Quinlan lays it on the line for Bensalem