Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Brenden Small
School: Ringgold
Class: Junior
Sport: Football
Small’s week: The three-year varsity player marked his debut as a full-time starter in impressive fashion Friday, collecting career-highs in both rushing touchdowns (four) and rushing yards (269) from 28 carries, an average of 9.6 yards per touch. His standout effort helped Ringgold power past new Big Nine conference opponent Greensburg Salem, 42-28, in the Rams’ opener.
Helpful advice: Early on against Greensburg Salem, Small said he tried to do too much. At halftime, he had about 60 rushing yards. But at the break, an old midget league coach gave him some encouragement from the bleachers that made him refocus. The message was to stay patient and trust his blockers, “‘Once you see your real hole, just hit it because you can explode.”
Small growth: With the departure of former offensive coordinator T.J. Plack, now the head coach at Peters Township, and all-conference running back Chacar Berry off to Slippery Rock, Small knew what he’d do with the football would differ this season. After an increased offseason workout regimen, Small’s playing weight has jumped to 185 from 170 last season.
“I can take the bigger hits and bounce off,” he said.
He also changed his diet to help keep the muscle he develops. This change in body type has occurred without Small sacrificing any speed. Small credited his background in track – he runs the 100-meter dash and on the Rams’ 400 relay team – with making that possible.
Stepping up: At the end of last season, the Ringgold coaching staff told Small that he would become a “workhorse” running back so prepare accordingly. His first two years on varsity, the 5-9 Small saw the field mostly on special teams, at slotback or running back out of the pistol or shotgun formation. He averaged about eight carries per contest. While he had success in that role, earning all-conference honors, becoming the main ground option has been an adjustment.
“It was a lot different, actually, just running between tackles,” Small said.
With new coordinator Brady Barbero calling plays, Small has seen more of the football out of pro sets than in the past. He’s more comfortable working from the shotgun, though, because he has more of a chance to use his speed.
Clearing the way: While talking about his performance against Greensburg Salem, Small brought up the play of Ringgold’s offensive line. “Our offensive line was just working them, working them, working them,” Small said. “We just kept hitting them with the run.”
Element of surprise: Though the Rams stuck to what worked against Greensburg Salem by using Small so often, one element of Barbero’s offense that the junior likes is how the play calls are spread around to different players across the attack.
“We can always get people to guess,” Small said. According to Small, the incorporation of the I-formation helps this dynamic in short-yardage situations, as opponents won’t know whether he or freshman fullback Luke Greaves will be the ball carrier.
Compiled by Jasper Wilson