The Wildcats have switched personalities as an offensive group this year, moving from an air attack to pounding the ball on the ground. Led by running backs Ryan Allee, junior, and Eric Levenhagen and Max Piazza, seniors, the Cats ability to run has led to a 6-2 start. Through five games the Wildcats piled up more rushing yards (883) than they did all of last season (847).
Each back compliments each other during the game and all are reliable to take carries, make blocks, run routes, and score touchdowns. Allee, Levenhagen, and Piazza provide a downhill type of style, not flashy, but running over and through tacklers.
Allee gets the bulk of the carries and at 5’9” 163 lbs, can be tough to take down.
“I just run hard and try to make something out of every run. It’s my job to get the short yards and to sustain drives,” said Allee.
During a home game versus Dubourg, Allee ran for 100 yards on only 11 carries with 2 touchdowns. This was his first 100-yard game in his career after coming close with 91 yards at Borgia. On the season he has gained 381 yards and 5 TDs, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
Max Piazza brings size to triple threat at 6’1” 225 lbs. Recently, Max became a member of the 1000 lb weightlifting club, which combines the totals of max squat, bench, and power clean. He joins the elite group of Greg Schoenberg, class of 2008. This power helps the team in short yardage situations, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He was tough to stop at Borgia where he accounted for 66 yards and 2 TDs.
“Max is a power runner and a guy to send up the middle for short yardage plus a good blocking back,” said J.D. Perona, head football coach.
The transition this year to a new position at running back proved to go very smoothly for Levenhagen. In his first varsity start, Levenhagen found the end zone on the first drive of the year against Priory. He already has 108 yards on the season.
To run the ball affectively, the running backs rely on their offensive line to create holes for them to run through. The line is headed by college prospect Brett Park, senior, and second year starter Bobby Tague, junior.
“The offensive line has greatly improved by making solid blocks and creating holes to run through,” said Piazza.
The district playoffs are underway, so the running game has to be in full throttle. The Cats victory over MICDS secures a playoff birth with one more win or a district championship with two wins. The only other playoff game the Wildcats appeared in was a loss to Miller Career Academy in 2006. The final two games are against St. Charles (0-8), and Duchesne (1-7). Last year, the Cats came up short after losing 17-14 to Duchesne in the finale.
After winning first 4 out of their 5 games, if the Cats win out, they will match a team record of 8 wins.
The value of three running backs helps each back stay fresh because of the role they play on defense. Piazza and Allee both anchor the linebacker core and Levenhagen gets solid reps on the defensive line.
Perona manages the offensive and is responsible for calls, while Brandon Haan, running backs coach, specializes in working with the technique of the three backs.
“They to hit the holes hard and follow their blocks. They plays we put in gives us more options when they can do that,” said Perona.
All three players agree that a turning point of the season was during the young season was a 21-7 victory at Borgia. Borgia, a hostile environment, has been a place where the Cats have never won. The backs piled up 179 yards on a touch Borgia line.
“The win at Borgia boosted the confidence of the team,” said Piazza.
Quarterback Zack Dorton, senior, brings another element to the offense with his legs and leads the team with 6 rushing TDs.