Sports
Runningbacks still a part of Tiger’s game
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 by David Tuma
The Belton Tigers have used a variety of players to keep the running game going. Quarterbacks Peter Shelburne and Shane Stafford have provided much of the running game for the Tigers.Belton's backfield had to replace Donavan Williams, one of the best running backs the Tigers have had in the past 20-years. Belton this season has used a variety of backs to replace Williams. At quarterback Peter Shelburne has excelled for the second straight season. Not many quarterbacks from Belton sport a 12-3 record but Shelburne does.
"We have a diverse backfield with lots of different weapons. The offensive line has worked really hard improving," said Camron Meyers. "That freshman offensive lineman on a sweep jumped over the pile to bock somebody."
"It helps when you get into the regular season. Nobody in our games hit as hard as Tyler Santellana and Ryan Stinson," said Brandon Rhoads. "It has helps our offensive line having to play against our d-line very day in practice," said Meyers.
"They have picked up the offense well. Camron has really improved. In the Round Rock game we had five different players score touchdowns. Last year they stuffed the box trying to stop Donavan," said Shelburne.
"Shelburne is the captain out on the field. He knows every position from running backs to wide receivers. He knows the blocking assignments and the adjustments each receiver may make. He has worked so hard in the weight room and off season track he is somebody you know you can count on," said Tigers offensive coordinator David Brewer.
"Stafford is the back up quarterback but he can play so many positions from receiver to running back. Learning the qb position is a process that Shelburne went through. Our success comes from hard work and the weight room. Running offseason track helps our players. Rhoads is somebody we knew about when he was in junior high. He has those extra moves that most backs don't have. He has great hands and is one of our fastest players," said Brewer.
Adamson was injured and will return at some point but is a key feature on the team because of his size and speed. Meyers may be the most improved player this season and his emergence has been a huge plus for the offense.
"You can do a lot with Meyers because he is smart and can do so many things. He runs the ball well and has great hands. Adamson is big strong and fast for his size. He is just a physical player. Ryan Vincent came on late after missing a few years and we use him in our three-back sets. He can flat out run. Kavan Johnson is a sophomore and we have used him on junior varsity and varsity. He is a future back for us. A key for us is building depth and you can't have enough of it. It isn't just one back like last year and we always have fresh legs back there," said Brewer.
