If he was playing elsewhere Derrick Saxe might be in the offensive line or even in a spot as a high profile tailback.
At Polk County he's a fullback, an extension of the offensive line and a prime shaker and mover for Wildcats quarterback Jared Allen, wingback Tyler Lee and tailback Chase Mull. He also is owner of the team's all-time single-game rushing record after picking up 268 yards in their 49-14 victory over Walker Valley.
The 6-foot, 205-pound Saxe averaged 29.7 yards per carry and scored two long-distance touchdowns - runs of 94 and 71 yards - on the way to earning Times Free Press player of the week honors.
"Our first four games he was the one making key blocks or picking up the tough yards in short-yardage situations," Polk County coach Derrick Davis said. "Too, he had a fumble in our first game. I know he hated it and I felt for him. [The fumble] didn't help but it isn't what got us beat."
Since that season-opening loss to Bradley, the Wildcats have won four straight and Davis believes their mental outlook has played a big part in the streak.
"It's like Friday night. The offensive linemen knew Derrick was close to a record at halftime. We were trying to get our second- and third-team guys ready and here the starters in the line were for more playing time in order to get Saxe the record."
Ahead 35-0 at the half, Davis wanted to get the younger Wildcats some playing time despite the fact they had given up two TDs and two long runs the previous week. Still, he gave in to the starters' plea on Saxe's behalf.
"A lot of the kids were excited for him and I have been waiting to see that - the kids celebrating whoever is having success - and it was nice to see those linemen rooting for Derrick to get the record. I told them, 'You got one series and then you're done,'" the coach said. "I was really hoping with a running clock that they might make a long drive and take a bunch of time off the clock."
His staff foiled his plans by calling "31 Trap" for the ninth time. The blocking was there and Saxe broke off a 71-yard romp on the Wildcats' first offensive play of the third quarter.
"Every one of those yards - well, certainly most of them - came on 31 Trap. They had so many up on the line and if you break that initial trap with eight or nine guys that close, I guess you're gone. However many carries he had, that's how many times we ran the trap," Davis said. "The offensive line blocked well but then we have been on our tight ends to continue blocking downfield and both of them did a really good job Friday night."