Brilliant in the backfield

Several area running backs rely on their size and skills to run over defenses.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 31, 2007

With most of last year's premium talent returning, the county has its best collection of rushers in years.

Many teams employ beefy backs who can bowl over and blow past the opposition. Some of the best include Dunedin's Adaris Bellamy (5 feet 9, 205 pounds), Largo's Brynn Harvey (6-0, 213) and Northeast's Jeff Brinson (5-11, 218).

All three are merciless, light on their feet and able to routinely splatter defenders.

Every so often, just to remind defenders they're more than a Sherman tank, they will throw in a hip fake or stutter step. But for the most part, they flat run over people.

Big backs have been around forever. What is unprecedented about this crop is the array of skills they boast. The ability to pound the ball inside is but a single line on their resumes. When there is no daylight, they have the vision to find a seam, the agility to step over bodies and the speed to get outside.

What's more, they can make people miss, break long runs and catch the ball out of the backfield.

And as the season winds down, the stock of the big back rises. Bellamy, Harvey and Brinson helped their teams go a combined 27-8.

But there are other quality backs who come in different sizes. Keswick Christian's Jared DiMaggio, a 5-8, 170 pound back, has helped the Crusaders make the playoffs the past three years.

A closer look at some of the top backs

Adaris Bellamy, Dunedin

The junior, who transferred from St. Petersburg Catholic last year, ran for more than 900 yards and will be the workhorse for the Falcons.

Jeff Brinson, Northeast

The senior is one of the most recruited backs in the county with several Division-I offers, mostly from Big Ten schools. Last year, Brinson rushed for 1,197 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. He continued to shine in the preseason with 287 yards and five touchdowns against Gibbs last week.

Brynn Harvey, Largo

The Times' 2006 player of the year returns after rushing for more than 1,746 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns last year. In last week's preseason game against Clearwater, the senior rushed for more 153 yards and two touchdowns in less than three quarters.

Jared DiMaggio,Keswick Christian

The go-to guy for the Crusaders, DiMaggio was a second-team Times all-county selection last year. The senior has rushed for more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons.

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 23:59:54]