Running back Zacciah Saltzman has been a key component to Athens' success this season.
Athens running back Zacciah Saltzman said if he's is going to be a part of something, he's going to give it his all.
That attitude has replicated his work on the football field this season.
In eight games for the Bulldogs, Saltzman has rushed for 1,631 yards and 30 touchdowns on 198 carries, averaging more than eight yards every time he touches the ball. He still has two games left to play.
"In everything that I do, I'm going to work as hard as I can," Saltzman said. "My teammates are there looking at me to make plays."
When nationally-small high schools like Athens, which has 749 students enrolled, loses a quarterback-running back combination — in the Bulldogs' case former quarterback Joe Burrow and running back Trae Williams — to graduation, the following season tends to be a “down year” that features struggles adjusting to new players.
Saltzman, however, is trying to make sure that a "down year" doesn’t happen to Athens.
In the past four games, Saltzman, who's 6-feet, 210-pounds, has carried the ball 120 times for 997 yards and 21 touchdowns, including two games with seven touchdowns each. During this week's win against Tri-Valley Conference rival Meigs, Saltzman had 37 rushes for 303 yards and scored all seven Bulldog touchdowns in a 49-34 win.
Saltzman, who played a limited role last season during Athens’ state championship appearance, said he knew an increase in game action and leadership was coming his way his final year.
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“Last year was pretty humbling, playing with such great athletes like Trae (Williams) and Joe (Burrows)," Saltzman said. "This year, I knew with them gone, I was going to have to carry the torch.”
In an opening season loss to Logan, Athens coach Ryan Adams saw glimpses of Saltzman's running ability, as Saltzman had 24 carries for 158 yards and five touchdowns.
“(Saltzman) has played a whole lot of football in a Bulldog jersey and now he’s trying to get some satisfaction (his senior year),” Adams said.
Since week four, Saltzman has helped Athens outscore its opponents 182-89 on its way to a four-game win streak and a chance for the TVC title.
Saltzman said the success hasn't come easy, but it's something that is earned through his "do it all" mentality.
"He’s extraordinarily strong," Adams said. "He plays with a lot of passion. He’s one of those guys that you cannot tackle with your arms. You have to step in front of him and not many people are willing to do that.”
Saltzman said being a leader means more than just accumulating rushing yards for him, though. He said he plays not only for himself, but for his team.
“My teammates respect me and look up to me," Saltzman said. "I just give my all for them. I just want to win games and finish my senior year off well.”
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