San Diego Player of the Week : Bigger Proves to Be Better for Morse’s Larry Maxey

For a guy who had to lift weights this summer to “bulk up” to 165 pounds, Larry Maxey has more often than not had the odds in his favor this season.

Morse High School’s senior running back uses his speed and determination to break free into the secondary, and Maxey likes his chances going against a couple of defensive backs.

“When I break free,” he said. “All I’m thinking about is, ‘Don’t get caught.’ ”

The odds are against it. Last Friday against El Camino, Maxey broke loose for touchdown runs of 68, 48 and 10 yards. He totaled 222 yards in 21 carries and now leads the county in rushing with 502 yards. He’s averaging 11.2 yards per carry.

It is not a bad start for a player who played only sparingly a year ago because, at 150 pounds, he was simply too small.

“Larry did a good job in the weight room this summer,” Morse Coach John Shacklett said. “He knew it was his turn to be our runner this year.”

Maxey has scored five of Morse’s nine touchdowns and provided the bulk of the Tigers’ offense. Against El Camino, he scored the first time he touched the ball. He did the same thing in Morse’s season opener, when he ran 90 yards for a score against Nanakuli High School in Maui.

“My line has done a good job,” Maxey said. “That first play (against El Camino) was just a straight dive play.”

A small gain . . . in most situations.

Two blitzing linebackers reached in vain as Maxey ran by them into the secondary. A safety, who had gone over to help double-team a wide receiver, couldn’t get back to the middle of the field in time and Maxey ran for the goal line. When he got there, he simply placed the ball on the ground.

“I don’t like any wild celebrations,” he said. “Every time I score, I feel it’s a team effort.”

His second touchdown, however, was more a solo effort.

On another dive play, Maxey was stopped at the line of scrimmage, confronted by a wall of white shirts--his own blockers. He noticed an opening around left end, spun that way and broke free down the sideline. Again, no one could catch him.

“The thing that sets him apart is his determination,” Shacklett said.

Larry Maxey

Morse High

Position: Running Back

Height, Weight, Class: 5-10, 165, Sr.

Last Week: Rushed for 222 yards in 21 carries. Scored three touchdowns in Morse’s 27-6 victory over El Camino.