RUNNING BACK SPOTLIGHT
Player Name: Blake Marks, Southern Columbia
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
40-Yard Dash: 4.6
Class of: 2016
Position(s): RB/OLB/SS/KR (Rover Position)
Jersey Number: 23
Years with Varsity: 3
Other Sports: Wrestling and Baseball
Starting experience: He played quite a bit as a freshman at running back and we rotated him in a lot. Last year he was a full time starter at running back. Last year he played a lot at the linebacker position.
2013 Stats: He rushed for 577 yards on 81 carries and nine touchdowns. He caught 16 passes for 351 yards and five touchdowns.
On defense he had 32 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions.
Honors: 2nd Team PHAC at RB
Coaches Q&A with Jim Roth:
Q. What are his strengths at running back?
A. He runs with a lot of desire and has very good balance. He’s a physical kid for his size. He runs hard and is good at breaking a lot of tackles.
I attribute his skills in football to his experience in wrestling. It’s so much about body control. Sometimes he makes runs and does things and we just stand there and shake our heads, because of some of the things he’s capable of doing. He’s a very determined runner and a very good blocker.
We try and play most of our kids one way even though we’re a small school we have been able to do that. I think he may be the first kid that I have said we have to have him on the field on both sides of the ball. He has such a motor and he can go hard on both sides of the ball. He will be out there on both sides of the ball this year.
He has great hands and is an excellent receiver.
Q. What are his strengths on defense?
A. He’s a smart player, which is key for a safety. He’s really good at making adjustments and has good vision. He’s a really outstanding tackler.
Q. How’s he as a kick returner?
A. He’s a good, smart returner. He has the ability to make people miss him and break tackles.
Schools of Interest: None
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Photo Credit: DailyNews.com
