Imhotep offensive lineman carries team, but would like to carry ball

IT'S FOURTH-AND-1 from the goal line and Imhotep trails by five points with just seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The PIAA Class AA championship is on the line.

Aaron Ruff, a 6-5, 280-pounder, sticks his hand in the turf and steadies his nerves. He explodes off the snap, takes a handoff 5 yards deep and barrels into the end zone for the game-winner as the crowd goes wild.

Offensive linemen can dream, too, right?

"I'm always thinking about that," said the Panthers' right guard after practice Tuesday night. "We're at the 1 and we need a big guy to get it in? I would love to do that!"

The 17-year-old senior, who committed to Temple in March, belongs to a sometimes unheralded few that stick out when things go awry, but remain anonymous when "skill players" party in the end zone.

"We've been saying that for years," said the guy teammates call "Big Ruff."

"You can smack three d-linemen to the ground and nobody sees it," he said, laughing. "People just watch the quarterback or running back run downfield making all these yards. But the linemen are like, 'What about us?' "

However, college coaches have taken notice. The only problem was - for the first time - Ruff was told he wasn't quite big enough. The result was a lifestyle and position change, but praise as one of the city's top blockers remained.

Growing up, Ruff said league weight requirements kept him from organized football until eighth grade when he was put at offensive tackle, a position typically reserved for bigger, less mobile blockers.

But last summer, when college coaches suggested he move to guard, Ruff had to change his eating habits, cut weight and improve his speed and agility.

"That's the first time hearing I'm too small for anything," Ruff said with a chuckle.

Fast-food restaurants and a soft spot he had for meat-lover's pies from a pizza place near his home on Front Street and Nedro Avenue, had to go. They were replaced by four to five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

He dropped from more than 300 pounds to around 280 and reported an increase in quickness, strength and stamina.

Now, his favorite part of blocking is getting his size-13s out in space.

"Pulling," he said. "Because I love when I smack somebody and they're laying flat on the ground. Pancaking people and then talking trash while they're getting up."

Another All-Pub selection this season [Ruff also made it as a junior] validated the offseason sacrifice. Suitors from Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Florida and Georgia Tech sought his services, but he chose the Owls for a chance to play at home.

Being around for his parents [mom, Yvette, and Dad, Hayward] was another incentive to stick close. He also has an older brother, Isaiah Lyons, and a little sister, Ava.

Before college, though, Ruff is hoping his 11-1 Panthers can make another playoff run. Led by star running back David Williams [now at South Carolina] last season, Imhotep set a Public League record with 14 wins and also became the first team in Pub history to advance to a PIAA semifinal [35-13 loss to Wyomissing].

Though junior quarterback Andre Dreuitt [All-Pub this season] has proven more than capable with his arm, the team's offensive strength remains on the ground.

Fellow seniors Gordon Thomas (center, 285 pounds) and Taleem Muhammad (tackle, 298) also earned All-Pub nods this season, as did sophomore Johncarlo Valentin (guard, 317). Junior tackle Antoine Williams (259) rounds out a line that paves the way for All-Pub junior rusher Nasir Bonner.

Junior wideout Denniston "DJ" Moore and sophomore tight end Naseir "Pop" Upshur were also All-Pub selections.

So, with all that poundage up front, why not give Ruff a shot at the end zone?

"You know what, I may do that for him just because he's such a good kid," said Imhotep coach Albie Crosby. "But the tough part about that is, once I do it for him, then all the other big kids will want one."

An ankle Ruff has sprained 3 weeks in a row, makes a TD rush unlikely. Though, one of his teammates, clearly aware of the symbiotic relationship between backs and blockers, might manufacture an attempt if coach doesn't make the call.

"I know everybody wants that one moment in their life where they score a touchdown," Bonner said. "So if he really wanted to score a touchdown, I wouldn't mind blocking for him."

Are we talking a lateral?

"I think about that sometimes," Bonner said. "Although, it would probably make my coach mad, but it would make my linemen happy. And if my line is happy I guess they're going to block better for me."

A note to the other skill guys: keep the big fellas fed with carries, praise, or in Ruff's case, fruits and veggies, and their loyalty is yours. Also, for superlative purposes, make sure you know where their strengths lie.

"We're the funniest group," Ruff said. "And the smartest."

Later, on the Panthers' practice field behind the Lonnie Young Recreation Center on Chelten Avenue, a group of linemen had a spirited catch while Ruff was interviewed.

Nadir Nettles, a 5-11, 300-pound senior who practices but does not play in games, "leapt" to make a catch in traffic.

Despite little distance separating his feet and the grass below, Nettles celebrated loudly after the catch.

"You barely left the ground," Ruff said.

"We tell them [skill guys] every day," Ruff said, "linemen are the smartest guys on the team. We're the biggest, maybe the goofiest, but hey, we're the smartest."