TURNER – Perhaps the biggest surprise in the Pine Tree Conference Class B this year is the emergence of Leavitt fullback Tony Witham.

Witham, a senior, is third in the conference in rushing with 265 yards.

He’s averaging 7.8 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns, not bad considering he’d never played running back before this year.

“We didn’t know how he’d be back there because we didn’t know what his quickness would be like or his ability to read,” Leavitt coach Mike Hathaway said. “Not only is this his first year as a running back, it’s only his second year of high school football.”

Witham’s numbers are even more surprising when one considers the Hornets primary formation is the shotgun, but spreading the defense works to his advantage because he’s so tough to tackle one-on-one.

“Laterally, he’s very quick. North-south, it takes him a little while to get going, but he’s a tough guy to tackle. It’s hard to get a good piece of him because he’s so shifty and he’s 215 pounds,” Hathaway said.

Blue runnings

Through the first two weeks, Mt. Blue is averaging 341 yards rushing per game

“Right now, the strength of our team lies in our three running backs,” coach Gary Parlin said. “Our goal is to get them each a number of touches each week.”

Those three running backs, Jordan Stevens, Hazen Pingree and David DiGravio, have combined for all seven of the Cougars’ touchdowns this year.

Tailbacks Stevens and DiGravio figured to be Parlin’s two workhorses heading into the season, but Pingree, the fullback, has been the top runner of the three so far, piling up 290 yards on just 17 carries.

“I didn’t play much fullback last year. I didn’t start or anything. I didn’t get much playing time at all,” he said. “This year, I came out really wanting to start and show them what I could do.”

Credit should also go to the Cougars’ revamped offensive line, consisting of center Devon Robinson, guards Byron Staples and Rob Blake and tackles Tom Robinson and Chad Merrill.

“We’ve got a wicked quick line and that really helps us when we’re trying to run the ball,” Pingree said.

“I wasn’t too sure we were going to be able to run with only one returning starter on offense, but we have a lot of depth.”