Running back by committee not a bad thing for Wildcats this season

When discussing El Dorado’s offensive backfield in the preseason, one of the first things Coach Chris Hill said was, “running back by committee.” That could mean one of two things - none of the backs have stood out or they’re all capable of stepping up.

“We’ve got three or four guys we feel can be productive,” Hill said. “This is probably going to be running back by committee, especially early in the season when it’s hot and you’re trying to play yourself into shape. Regardless of how much you run during the summer, you’re going to get winded early in the season. It takes a while to learn how to play. Your adrenaline is pumping, which makes you fatigue a whole lot faster.”

The Wildcats’ plan will be to run the football a lot this season with a ball-control offense. Ball security might be the biggest responsibility for the ball carriers.

“Coach (DeAnthony) Curtis really does a good job with those running backs. He’s on those guys all the time. Of course, they’re going to listen to him. He’s played at a high level,” said Hill.

“The ball is the most important thing on the field and we’ve got to protect it. Nobody has ever scored a touchdown without it. We have to have great ball security, double cover through linebacker depth, keep the ball on the side arm, protect the football - know when to go down, know when the fight’s over. That’ll come with experience.”

Sophomore Jakori Lumsey, who saw action at linebacker as a freshman, will be one of the leading contenders in the backfield.

“He’s north and south. He’s a strong kid. He’s about 200 pounds,” said Hill. He does a good job of one cut and go and getting 6, 7, 8 yards.”

Junior Thomas Smith brings the most experience in the backfield. He rushed for 227 yards on 42 attempts last season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

“He’s had a really good summer,” said Hill. “He’s looked

good in team camp, really good job getting north and south, getting skinny through a hole and getting positive yards.”

Also battling for time will be junior Javoraye Oliver and sophomores Bretaveon Brown and Jeremy Samuels.

“Bretaveon Brown has really come on this summer. Every team camp we went to, he got better and better. He's going to be a sophomore but he's a good-sized kid. He's about 185-190 and really got better as the summer went on,” said Hill.

“Javoraye Oliver (5-4, 150) is a small kid. He's not very tall but pound-forpound, he's a strong kid. He can get back there and hide behind those offensive linemen and then dart out, hit a crease and go score. He's explosive.”

Of Samuels, Hill said, “He's coming around. He just has to continue to grow and develop and run the ball between the tackles. A lot of times young guys want to make it to the sideline. The teams we play, they're going to chase you down. But he has a lot of potential to be a really good running back.”

Hill said the offense will not use a fullback but could employ an H-back or tight end at times to set the front.

As for the running style, El Dorado's offense will run better without loss-yardage plays. Hill will expect the backs to run hard and get the yards in front of them.

“If they'll do that, the big plays will happen,” he explained. “We've got to get positive yards on every situation. They've got to understand the value of a yard, the value of two yards. You keep hammering it up in there and big plays will happen. I think we're starting to get that. It was something we struggled with in the spring, trying to hit a home run every time they touched the ball.”