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NAPLES — Barron Collier’s hopes for a second straight district championship might just lie in the Cougars’ backfield.

To make it 2-for-2 in District 4A-15, second-year coach Mark Ivey needs big production from tailback Quin Thornton and new quarterback Nate Garland. Neither player will do much of anything, however, without the proper protection.

That’s why Ivey isn’t taking any chances when it comes to the offensive line. Less than a week before Barron Collier’s preseason game Friday against South Fort Myers, the Cougars’ front five still isn’t set in stone. And it might not be until well into the season.

While the center and the two guard positions are locked in, it’s the two tackle spots that keep Ivey guessing.

“When we’ve got a running back like Quin Thornton, I gotta make sure that I’ve got the best five (linemen) on the field,” Ivey said. “If you don’t fight for the job, we’re going to find someone to replace you.”

Senior Mike Herrera is the only returning starter from a year ago and will anchor the offensive line at right guard. Junior Chris Pasalodus will start at center, while junior Travis Martinez is at left guard.

That leaves the two tackles spots up in the air. Early in fall practices, Ivey said he had as many as six players he was considering for the two spots. The list has been trimmed to four, but that doesn’t mean Ivey is any closer to naming his starters.

Seniors Isaiah Brutus and Brett Williams started August as the default first-teamers, but a pair of up-and-coming sophomores have been trying hard to take their jobs. Rich Little and Austin Nolz, both new to varsity, have been taking reps with the starting offense as well.

Depending on the day, any combination of big men could bookend Barron Collier’s line. Despite the uncertainty, the Cougars think the intense competition between linemen will only make the team better.

“Right now what we’re looking at is two seniors that are capable of doing a good job,” Ivey said, “and two sophomores that have really done a great job in the weight room and put themselves in a position where they’re either equal or a step behind those seniors.”

Ivey holds daily competition between the four tackles, allowing them to fight for spots on the first team. One of the roughest drills is called King of the Boards. The one-on-one battles pit players against each other in sumo wrestling style tests of strength, as each tries to push the other backward out the blocking area.

The competition gets heated at times, but the four hopefuls say there’s no animosity between them. At the end of the day, they’re just teammates trying to make the Cougars better.

“You want to get out there every moment that you have a chance,” said Brutus, the 6-foot, 200-pound senior who played mostly junior varsity last season. “When you get that one-on-one, you know you gotta show up. You have to prove that you’re the one for that position.”

Which players say will translate to success on Friday nights.

“When the games start, we’ll be game-ready,” Little said. “We won’t have any nerves because we’ve been competing all season.”

Little, ironically, is the biggest of the four tackle contenders at 6-1, 240 pounds. Nolz and Williams both stand 5-10, while Nolz has a 10-pound weight advantage (215 to 205).

Following a strong showing by Williams at Wednesday’s practice, Ivey was all but ready to anoint the senior at left tackle. The coach said it wasn’t a done deal, but called Williams the front-runner for the position.

Williams determination comes from his philosophy on the offensive line.

“It’s the most important position of offense,” Williams said. “We’ve got one of the best running backs (Thornton) in Collier or Lee County. Without an O-line, he isn’t anything.”

Ivey said he plans to keep rotating his tackles throughout practice leading up to Friday’s preseason game. Even once the season starts Sept. 5 against Lely, the offensive line might not be set.

The offensive line carousel might cause trepidation in some coaches, but Ivey doesn’t see it as a bad thing. He looks at his front five and sees not two empty tackle spots, but four viable starters.

“I’d be comfortable with any of them,” Ivey said. “It’s just a matter now of finding out who’s going to be the most consistent.”