GRAND MEADOW — The top ranked Grand Meadow football team knew that it would have to do some rebuilding on the offensive line this season. Then it lost two of its starters to injuries on its season opener and the rebuilding project became even bigger.

The Superlarks (4-0 overall) — who lost Blake Benson for the season and Trent Tangen for most of the first half of the season — had to shuffle around their lineup early on. After a few games with a new front line, things are starting to come together up front for GM.

The team has relied on Trevor Sloan, Connor King, Wes Ojulu and Michael Oehlke to provide a push and that group has gotten better with each week. GM head coach Gary Sloan said the injuries at the beginning of the season were a big blow, but the team is starting to recover.

“It really took us off guard,” Gary said. “But I think what we found is the second game they got a little better, then we started working in a little more drills. The two biggest things we’ve had to work on is getting those guys to play as a unit and getting them to control each gap.”

The Superlarks have racked up 942 rushing yards in their first four games and they’ve outscored their first four opponents 49.0-10.5 points per game on average. Oehlke said that it helped the line improve on game nights by playing in a few blowouts early on.

“We struggled right away in the beginning, but now we’re getting used to each other,” Oehlke said. “The key on the line has been that we’ve been working really hard in practice on gap control and getting the little things perfected.”

While running backs and receivers rack up stats on a regular basis, the Superlarks’ linemen are fortunate enough to get their linemen some carries during blowout wins during the season. Last week Trevor scored his first touch down at any level of football when he scored from a yard out.

“That’s something we just like to do,” Gary said of getting his linemen carries. “We like to put the backs on the line and the linemen in the backfield so they get a little appreciation for what the other guys have to do. We really believe in having all of our players being versatile.”

Trevor, who is a captain on the team along with Oehlke, said he’s enjoying his last season playing under his dad. He was glad to get his first touchdown in and he’s hoping big things are ahead for the Superlarks, who have won the last two class nine man state titles.

“This year I’m finally playing more. All you want to do is win when you’re a senior,” Trevor said. “That’s just kind of how it is. You want to be like the last two classes and end a winner. That’s the goal.”

Ojulu is playing the same position on offense that his older brother Cody played last season. He said he’s figuring things out, but it didn’t hurt to have an older sibling to learn from.

“He taught me some stuff. I kind of do my own thing, but he was a good role model on the field,” Ojulu said. “[Getting teams’ best shots] is always on our mind. We’ve had a target on our backs for the past two years. We try to make the best out of it.”

It can be a grind for linemen as they constantly have to start at the point of attack. King said it makes it easier when he’s blocking for a backfield that includes three standouts in quarterback Michael Stejskal and running backs Zach Myhre and Christophor Bain.

“It’s awesome having two good running backs and a quarterback that are probably some of the best in the District. Even when the hole’s not there, they can make plays for themselves,” King said. “I go into every game not wanting to let my teammates down. I play hard every play and do my best.

With every game it gets easier and we get more settled in out there.”

GM will play at West Lutheran (0-4 overall) in Crown College 7 p.m. Friday, but the Larks’ most anticipated match-up will be Oct. 9 when they play at No. 2 Spring Grove (4-0 overall).