Sports - High Schools

POSTED: Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

PREP FOOTBALL: Sophomore steps up when Blackhawks need him

Lummi football coach Jim Sandusky admits he didn't know much about what he had with running back/linebacker Jeremy Roberts entering his sophomore season earlier this fall.

Roberts missed a number of the Blackhawks' spring practices so he could compete with the Lummi Nation canoe club.

But Sandusky quickly discovered he had a star in the making on his bench when Roberts was thrust into a starting role.

"When we lost Kyle Finkbonner (to off-field problems), he (Roberts) stepped up like he'd been a senior playing for four years," Sandusky said in a phone interview. "How ready he would be, we weren't sure. But I think he's surprised all of us."

Roberts hopes to continue being a pleasant surprise on Saturday, Nov. 22, when Lummi (10-1) hosts Lake Quinault (9-1) in a 2 p.m. game at Civic Stadium in the first round of the Class 1B state playoffs. If the Blackhawks can beat the Elks in the first round for the second-straight year, they would earn their fourth consecutive trip to the Tacoma Dome for the state semifinals.

Sandusky said Roberts entered the fall as a second-string linebacker and a third-string running back behind Finkbonner.

"I didn't think I would be starting," Roberts said in a phone interview. "I was just planning on being the secondary guy ... It was exciting (when he got the chance to start), and just a little scary."

Like most running backs in Lummi's pass-happy offense, which has nearly five times as many yards through the air as on the ground, Roberts has not gotten many opportunities to show what he can do running the ball. He has only two carries for eight yards, all of which came in a Week 5 victory at Lopez.

But Sandusky likes what he sees when Roberts gets to carry the ball in practice and could see that role increasing for him in future games and years.

"He has good sight and good vision," Sandusky said. "He's a guy who runs with his eyes. He sees the holes and can slip the tackles to get there. He's also strong enough to stick his head in there when there is no place to go and get some yards."

Roberts also has been a productive cog in the high-powered passing game, catching 23 passes for 268 yards and five touchdowns. He also has added seven 2-point conversions.

But it's on pass protection where he might be the most valuable asset for the Blackhawks this year, Sandusky said.

"It's not just catching passes for us," Sandusky said. "He is a huge part of our blocking scheme. He does a good job of protecting (quarterback Dustin Tom) and allowing him to make more accurate throws downfield."

On defense, Roberts also has stepped up to become one of the top coverage specialists for Lummi.

"Teams see that he's only a sophomore, and they want to throw the ball at him because he's young," Sandusky said. "But he makes some great plays. He can read the play and breaks really quick on the ball. He's a really good tackler, and because of his speed, he can get to a lot more plays to make the tackle."

Sandusky said Roberts is one of the fastest members of the team, estimating his 40-yard dash speed at between 4.65 and 4.70 seconds.

Away from the field, Roberts is heavy into the canoe club, which he said has about 40 members of all different ages.

The club repairs and builds some of their own canoes and races them off, Neah Bay, Vancouver Island and Canada and even in the waters closer to home.

"It was just something I wanted to try," Roberts said. "I really liked it and got my friends to try it, too. I've been doing it for about three years now ... It's fun. It's good exercise. It's drug and alcohol free. I feel like that is my family. It's very cultural."

Though Roberts is relatively quiet, Sandusky said he's a great influence on the team and a good student in school.

"He's one of those kids you know is never going to be in trouble and will eventually be a good leader for this team," Sandusky said. "Right now, he's still looking at the older guys to see how it's done, but you can tell he will grow. He's one of those guys that, as a coach, you wish all your players were like him."

Reach David Rasbach at david. rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2271.