CALHOUN, Ga. - High school coaches aren't supposed to have favorites.
However, Hal Lamb, like the rest, is human, and while the Calhoun football coach won't openly share a list of those he considers favorite players during a 21-year career, it's hard to ignore the way he talks about Zack Fuller.
For all the elite-level talent Lamb has coached - including a pair of NFL players - it's the ones who made themselves into good players that seem to hold a special place. After all, he was once one of them.
Lamb overcame a lack of ideal size to become a two-time all-state receiver at Commerce High School before becoming all-conference and team captain at the University of West Georgia. He never accepted the words "you can't" as an athlete, and he appreciates those like Fuller who follow the same rule.
Calhoun's Zack Fuller carries for a touchdown around a herd of Monroe defenders during the Yellowjackets' second-round Class AAA prep football playoff game against the Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes at Calhoun High School on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Calhoun, Ga.
Calhoun's Zack Fuller carries the ball during the second-round Class AAA playoff win against the Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes.Yet even Lamb has had to try to rein in the 5-foot-7 running back from trying to do too much.
"He's your perfect high school player and has the heart of a champion," Lamb said of the junior who passed the 1,000-yard mark in last week's win over Monroe Area in the GHSA Class AAA playoffs.
"He's not very big or fast, but he will run through a brick wall if you want him to. He's a great leader, the leader of our football team. He's very emotional and vocal. As far as on the field, he's a strong kid for his size and he's not afraid of contact at all. As a matter of fact, he seeks it out. I've had to tell him, 'You can't run over everybody.'"
It's an all-out philosophy Fuller felt he had to adopt to avoid getting overlooked on the athletic field. He knew if he gave into the negative talk about his size the naysayers would win.
"I was told everything I couldn't do all the time, but I never let that get to me," he said. "I just looked at them as a person I could prove wrong. Just give me a chance - that's all I've ever asked.
"I guess it's all about the heart. I find my strength in God and Jesus Christ, so I pull from that."
Fuller's value to the Yellow Jackets has been on display in the team's two playoff wins. While the passing game has been slowed, Fuller has had back-to-back 150-yard games and has scored five touchdowns. In typical fashion, he quickly deferred any praise headed his way.
"Our offensive line is getting after it," he said. "There needs to be a balance, though. We can throw the ball but we just haven't done it real well lately. When they both are working, it's great."
The 11-1 Jackets likely will need all the yards they can gain tonight as they face a much more athletic team in Liberty County on the road. The Panthers are coming off a shutout of Westside-Macon and have won seven consecutive games.
Lamb and offensive coordinator Mike Davis want more balance this week, but the two are comfortable riding the run game behind the team's improved line - Matthew Ralston, J.C. Fuller, Ben King, Josh Hale and Andrew Clements - if needed.
"We're going with what is hot," Lamb said. "We do have the ability to run and throw the ball, and we would much rather be two-dimensional. We don't want to throw it 45 times a game or 15 times a game, but we know if we have to our run game can get it done. Liberty County's strength is their defensive line, so it's going to get tougher."
Words that definitely won't scare Zack Fuller.
"I think it's going to be fun being on the road in this round," he said with a smile. "I like it and I know all of us are going to be ready to go."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.