Running wild

This article for the P-G wasn't posted on its site for some reason and it was cut in half due to space issues of the hard copy version of the paper.

Seth Smalls figured he would need to work on his pass-blocking skills when he decided to give indoor football a try.

After playing in a triple-option offense in high school and a run-oriented attack at Coastal Carolina University, the offensive lineman assumed his experience as a run blocker wouldn’t be utilized much in the 50-yard game.

That was until he met Green Bay Blizzard coach Robert Fuller.

“I thought the indoor game was nothing but passing,” Smalls said. “I get here and coach Fuller tells me I need to work on my run blocking if I’m going to play for him.”

Following a 41-33 victory at Lehigh Valley last Saturday where the Blizzard set franchise rushing records for attempts (41) and yards (177), it’s easy to understand why Fuller placed an emphasis on the ground game at the start of the season.

Powered by a rushing attack that averages 94.5 yards per game and features the Indoor Football League’s leading rusher in La’Ron Council, Green Bay (9-3) finds itself in position to clinch a home playoff game tonight when it hosts the Reading Express (2-11) at the Resch Center.

“With coach Fuller being a former offensive lineman, I knew it would be a fun offense to play in,” Blizzard center Shannon Breen said. “Being able to run the ball is huge to show scouts and teams different stuff that you wouldn’t get to do with other teams.”

The Blizzard has a run-to-pass ratio of 58-42 this season and with two games remaining in the regular season has gained 1,134 rushing yards to eclipse the previous franchise record of 953 set in 2010.

“When I first came here I honestly wondered what the fans would think of our offense and how they would receive a balanced attack or a little bit of a run-first type of approach,” Fuller said.

“But I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of people that come up to me after a game and tell me how much they enjoy seeing the running game in indoor football.”

With 815 yards on the season, Council is 122 shy of breaking the IFL record. He rushed for 119 yards last week to break the Blizzard’s single-game record for a third time this season and his 26 carries was a league high this year.

“He is an NFL talent, and I’d be awfully disappointed if he didn’t get a look from somebody,” said Fuller, who compared Council to Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills.

Fuller coached against Jackson when he played for the Sioux City Bandits in 2004 and 2005. He said one of the things Council shares with Jackson is a willingness to cover kicks and block on special teams.

“That sets La’Ron apart from the pack,”Fuller said. “There are a lot of great running backs out there. But he’ll do whatever is asked of him and do it to the best of his ability.”

Council has also made an impact in the run game when he reverses roles and acts a lead blocker for Andrew Verboncouer, like he did last week in order to allow Verboncouer to cap a drive with a TD.

“He deserved it because he was the workhorse on that drive,” Council said. “Whatever I can do to help my teammates, I’ll do it.”

Smalls feels unselfish plays like that is why Fuller’s running philosophy is successful.

“Everyone is involved in it,” he said. “It’s the wide receivers out there blocking their behinds off to get us those tough yards down the field and ultimately winning games. I just enjoy being here and playing in this scheme.”