Plummer finds new love in football
El Dorado's Shadarious Plummer said he started playing baseball around the age of seven. As a sport, it's his first love. Don't tell baseball but the Wildcats' centerfielder in the spring has developed a crush on a side-sport in the fall.
The junior took over the role of starting tailback in the off-season and has been El Dorado's primary ball carrier. He leads the team with 96 carries for 808 yards, according to statistics provided by Bill Evans from KIX 103.
“I'm having a good season. I really appreciate the guys up front. They're doing a good job of moving guys, creating holes for me,” said Plummer, who admitted some of his success was unexpected.
“I am surprised. Reading the gaps and stuff on inside zone. I thought it was going to be harder.”
Plummer's commitment to baseball could've limited his spring football time. But, the Wildcats didn't really get going until baseball and the other spring sports concluded. During the summer, Plummer played both baseball and football.
“He's a very talented baseball guy. He likes baseball more but I think he's starting to like Friday nights. He's had a lot of success so far,” said El Dorado football head coach Steven Jones.
As a sophomore, Plummer began the season at cornerback. The coaches noticed his running ability during JV games and moved him to the offensive backfield midway through the season.
“He was the starter headed into the spring. He's who we had penciled in as the starting tailback,” said Jones. “If you remember from last year, he had some carries late in the season. At the end of the year, he was Brandon Moore's backup. He was the No. 2 guy.”
“I saw the skill-set last spring. I saw the skillset again at fall camp,” said El Dorado running backs' coach DeAnthony Curtis. “I was like, man, I could have my first thousand-yard back with this guy. He can do everything. He can catch. He can run. He can block. He can do a lot of stuff. I didn't think he'd be as durable because he's 170175 pounds. I felt like he wouldn't do as good a job running between the tackles.”
Plummer's running style is no-nonsense, one cut and hit it. At 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds, he has shown a surprising knack for running between the tackles and getting the tough yards.
“He's done a lot of things well,” said Jones. “He's an every down back. He's pass pro. He can pick up whatever. He runs the ball well and we can swing him out and he can make plays in space.
“He takes care of the ball. The only turnover he's had this year was
after an explosive 60-yard run and he was trying to gain extra yards and the ball came out.
“That's the only time we've had any ball security trouble this year. He's done a really good job of that.”
Plummer, who leads the team with 13 touchdowns, has averaged 8.4 yards per carry. And, apparently, looks faster on the field than he actually is.
“I haven't been timed in the 40 in a good, little minute,” he said. “Last time I was timed in the 40, it was like a 4.7.”
Curtis said Plummer has football speed.
“I think he just looks fast. He's probably a 4.6 guy. He has game speed,” said Curtis, a former running back at the University of Arkansas. “He can run 4.6 with pads on and 4.6 without pads. That's the difference.
“People don't know how strong and put together that kid is. The kid is strong and he's put together really well. I think that's why he's been so durable.
“The job Coach (Kris) Borosvskis does in the weight room is what's helping him be so durable.”
As for his decision to play football, there were murmurs he was torn between playing or focusing solely on baseball.
“I'm a little bit better at baseball than football. I was just trying to stay in shape for baseball and football came along,” he said.
“Even my parents didn't want me to play but I told them I wanted to play to stay in shape.”
The Wildcats are 7-2 on the season and look to have claimed a No. 2 seed heading into the 6A state playoffs. So, Plummer has done more on the gridiron than just stay in shape.
He still loves baseball more. But, football has grown on him a bit.
“I enjoy playing both, now. Running back is actually pretty fun. But centerfield is fun, too,” said Plummer, who tried to explain the sudden charm of El Dorado football.
“I think it's because we're winning. The community, everybody is involved in our games. The joy after a win is different.”
The Wildcats travel to West Memphis on Thursday for the regular-season finale and then it's on to the playoffs. When football is over, Plummer will reunite with his first love of baseball.
Football, however, has won a piece of his heart. As a senior, he said there's not a decision on if he'll play in the fall.
“No, I'm going to play next year.”