Ishamel Riggins knows how to find the holes.
Between rushing and protecting the quarterback, the Sulligent High School senior knows all of the tricks of the trade used by offensive and defensive linemen.
Maybe that explains Riggins success this season in a new role.
The 6-foot-2 1/2, 235-pounder has blazed a trail for the Blue Devils at fullback. His bullish performance is a key reason the team has advanced to the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A playoffs.
Riggins added to his breakout season Friday, rushing for 224 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-19 victory against Westminster Christian.
For his performance, Riggins is The Dispatch”s Prep Player of the Week.
True to his roots, Riggins, who played offensive tackle and defensive end last season, credited his teammates up front for clearing the way so he could score on runs of 3, 10, 6, and 56 yards. Wesley Parson also rushed for 108 yards as the Blue Devils (11-2) rushed for 400 yards on 55 carries.
“Me and the linemen have a close bond,” Riggins said. “I see what they see most of the time and know what holes open up, so it is easy for me to hit them and I know where they are going to open up. They did a real good job with what they do.”
The coaches decided to move Riggins to running back after losing senior Steven Stewart. As quick as Stewart was (he ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash), Riggins proved to be almost as fast, running a 4.66. In fact, Riggins almost beat Stewart in a race the two ran last spring.
Riggins never imagined he would do so well at fullback, but he relished the idea of being able to tote the ball instead of clearing the way for someone else.
“I thought it would be kind of a natural fit because I like to run a lot,” Riggins said. “I like to think I am a very physical person when I go through the line. It is a fun adjustment from lineman to fullback.”
Riggins is enjoying the switch so much because he likes the contact. He also is excited about how he is helping the team. Riggins leads the team with 1,695 rushing yards (.93 yards per carry) and 22 rushing touchdowns. He is part of a three-pronged attack with Parson (934 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Peter Swanigan that has the Blue Devils rolling.
“I keep surprising myself every game,” Riggins said. “I never thought I would be in that position. The way I feel it is every lineman”s dream to run the ball. All of the talk about it. Sometimes they don”t get the glory, but they do in my eyes because the line is what makes the team.”
When he was on the offensive and defensive lines, Riggins recalls imagining what it would be like to take the handoff, to hit the hole, and to see nothing but green in front of him. Aside from some problems fumbling the ball early in the season, Riggins has had a standout season. He said he has learned a lot about how to play fullback, but isn”t sure where he will play in college. He said he still loves playing defense because he enjoys the physical nature of the sport.
Sulligent High coach Ronnie Hubbert said the coaches had to encourage Riggins not to seek out contact all of the time. Now that he is doing a better job of running past would-be tacklers, Riggins has hit fifth gear and is a load to stop.
“He is a pure athlete.” Hubbert said. “He starts for us on the basketball team. If we had asked him to be our kicker he would try to be our kicker. He is such a coachable kid.”
Hubbert said Riggins has done everything the coaches have asked him to do this season. He said he has a great attitude and has improved at fullback every game. He feels Riggins is only “scratching the surface” of his abilities, and he hopes he gets a chance to play at the next level.
Jacksonville State is one of several schools that has expressed an interest.
Hubbert also didn”t envision Riggins having as much success as he has had this season. “We were just hoping we could put the best ballteam together and win some ballgames,” Hubbert said. “You just want to do the best you can for your kids and give them the best opportunity to win. You don”t look at getting those stats or these stats, but you know you have a pretty good back if he is getting those numbers.”
Riggins credits his coaches for working with him and teaching him how to become a fullback. He said the numbers he has put up belong as much to his teammates as they do him because the team has flourished this season thanks to a family concept.
“We”re a team and a family,” Riggins said. “I don”t run for myself. I run so we can win. (The offensive linemen) sacrifice their bodies so I can get a couple of yards. I don”t take that for granted.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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