Prep football: Fullback not a lost art at Midland Trail

HICO — The fullback is not a lost art at Midland Trail.

The roar of the crowd at Midland Trail High School, situated on the HICO campus, is the usual backdrop for Friday night football. The snap echoes across the grass, the whistle blows, and linemen engage in their crucial battle. Yet, amidst the modern emphasis on spread offenses, quick-strike quarterbacks, and specialized position groups, one role persists with surprising resilience and impact at Midland Trail: the fullback. Forget the bloated power forward stereotype sometimes associated with the position; the fullbacks at Midland Trail are a testament to its continued relevance and necessity on the prep gridiron.

Meet sophomore Noah Bishop, a heavy-set freshman who pronounces it as such, and teammate, Matt "The Hammer" Slade, whose build warrants the nickname. They grace formations primarily behing the center, their roles integral to both the run and pass game. Bishop, known for his low center of gravity, is a formidable run-blocker, capable of shedding tacklers with surprising agility for his size. Slade, completing his third year, adds veteran poise and strength. "He brings an energy that the whole team feeds off," a teammate noted previously during installation drills. Their work is arduous, requiring immense core strength to maintain balance against defensive linemen and linebackers, coupled with lower-body explosiveness needed to break outside on runs.

While tailbacks often command the spotlight – receiving carries, displaying bursts, and making athletic catches out of the backfield – the fullbacks operate quietly, often unseen unless they hit the line of scrimmage effectively. Their value lies in their versatility and the specific skill sets they bring. Houseling, the offensive coordinator/tight ends coach, emphasizes that deploying a skilled fullback allows for more nuanced blocking schemes and creates matchup advantages against linebackers or tight ends in coverage situations. Furthermore, some fullbacks possess pass-catching ability, providing an additional dimension if opportunities arise out of broken plays or direct snaps.

"Hearing about teams eliminating fullbacks makes me scratch my head," explained Coach Rutherford recently during a practice period. "Sometimes that extra pulling fullback is all a defense can handle on a screen pass. Or we can motion him off and stretch the field horizontally." This strategic flexibility is key.

The demands on Midland Trail's fullbacks extend beyond mere blocking prowess. Houseling stresses the importance of hand placement, footwork, and transitional movement skills. "Fullbacks can't just ride the horse; they need to know when to stack the box or when to be vertical in pass protection," he pointed out, observing a drill during mandatory conditioning. Both Slade and Bishop participate in specialized training focused on refining these skills. Slade, under Houseling's guidance, has significantly improved his pass-setting ability in recent seasons, making him a more valuable asset. Bishop, still developing, focuses on his burst after receiving a handoff.

Their efforts culminated last season, contributing to a Midland Trail offense ranked among the top in Saugetown County scoring. The two-way talents of players like Dylan Rodriguez, who alternated between fullback and running back duties, further demonstrated the continued need for multi-dimensional backs who can platoon between positions. While other programs gained efficiency by shedding the fullback position, the coaching staff at Midland Trail sees the role differently.

"One thing often overlooked is that a true fullback, doing their job right, makes the job of the quarterback and tailback easier on first downs," Coach Rutherford mused. "They clean up the gaps, giving them and their primary receivers and running backs cleaner walls to operate in if the O-Line holds its ground." This collaborative approach builds a cohesive unit, impacting the entire offense.

Whether it's Bishop tracking a receiver downfield on a reverse or Slade clogging the middle on a designed keeper, the fullbacks are integral pieces. Contrary to predictions that the position is fading, Midland Trail is carving out a niche where skilled fullbacks provide exploitable matchups in a tight defensive secondary, crucial blocking depth under duress, and a blend of physique and athleticism rarely seen in modern position groupings. Hornung's foundation is being rebuilt, proving that the fullback position remains a vital and effective component of a successful prep football program.