By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
They'll likely never be as famous as the legendary "Four Horsemen" of Notre Dame, but a quartet of Almond-Bancroft high school running backs are forcing opponents to take notice.
A-B seniors Mike Johnson and Josh Warzynski and sophomores Jacob Warzynski and Chris Lamb are splitting duties in the Eagles' backfield. And while they probably aren't the next coming of the Fighting Irish's "Four Horsemen" - quarterback Harry Stuhldreher, left halfback Jim Crowley, right halfback Don Miller and fullback Elmer Layden - the four Eagles are a big reason A-B is off to a 2-0 start this season. The quartet is trying to offset the loss of Nick Sanchez, who gained over 1,200 yards on the ground a year ago.
"The big question mark coming in was our running game and these guys give me confidence," A-B coach Rodney Wedig said. "I have four guys to give the ball on third (down) and one and trust that they'll get it."
"It really started, originally, to give Mike and Josh a rest," he added, as both seniors also play defense. "Then Chris Lamb was playing scout team running back and was gaining yards."
The four runners each have a different style, which can keep defenses guessing. Halfbacks Jacob Warzynski (Josh's younger brother) and Lamb are speed runners while fullbacks Josh Warzynski and Johnson have contrasting styles.
Johnson moved to running back from guard, where he played in 1999, and can run inside. He also has speed, as evidenced by the school records he set in sprinting events for the track and field team. "I can be either or, playing Josh's spot if he needs a breather," Johnson said. "I can use my speed if I need to. I can go inside." Josh said he is a power, north-and-south runner.
Jacob describes himself as a back that uses his speed to outrun people. Lamb said he's a back that "bounces around to the outside, not as much of a power runner. If I see a hole, I have to go there. I'm not just trying to run over people."
As a freshman, Lamb was a halfback on junior varsity. He didn't know he would be so involved as a sophomore, he said. "I knew that I would be running in plays. I didn't think I'd be that much of a help to the team." Jacob came from a different background from Lamb. He spent his freshman season as the quarterback for the junior varsity team. "I ran the ball quite a bit," Jacob said. "It's a little more different getting the ball than just pulling it in and running."
Having different running backs can make things interesting for the fullback, who sometimes is the halfback's lead blocker. "You just have to adjust to your guy, which style he runs and which way he goes," Josh said.
Johnson said his experience at guard helps as a lead blocker. "I know how to take a bigger blocker coming at me. I can use the form I learned as a lineman."
Currently, Johnson and Josh alternate series while Jacob and Lamb rotate every other play. The mix is great for A-B, but can cause defenses headaches.
"They really can't key on just one person," Johnson said. This year we can go from different style to style and they don't know what we're throwing at them."
In A-B's first two games, the quartet has touched the ball pretty evenly. Jacob is leading the way so far with 12 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. Lamb has 12 carries for 58 yards. At fullback, Josh has 13 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown while Johnson gained 32 yards on 10 carries.
The group's performance has taken some attention off of A-B wide receiver Matt Cummings, who caught 31 passes for 405 yards in 1999.
"It's freed up Matt more," Johnson said. "Teams are keying on Matt. We try to open up the passing game so we don't have to depend on the run."
Added Wedig: "That's the big thing. In the Port Edwards game, (coach Lee Wyngaard) basically lined up in a defense that's not going to give you the long pass."
Wedig didn't originally plan to use four different running backs this season. He said he thought of moving Johnson or Josh to the offensive line. "The line and running backs impressed me in the scrimmage."
Jacob and Lamb have stepped forward as sophomores, giving Wedig more options in the backfield. "Jake and Chris really impressed me how much they improved since last season," Wedig said. "I didn't think they'd be in the mix as much as they have. I didn't count on them as much."
"I trust any of these guys in any situation to run the ball. It's a nice situation to have," he added.