After St. Charles East coach Bryce Farquhar implemented the triple-option offense in 2015, he still needed someone with a particular set of skills at fullback.
It required someone willing to run through a wall every play.
Freshman Justin Jett came up to the varsity, and the Saints had their vital first offensive option in a scheme critical to winning last year’s Upstate Eight River title.
Farquhar didn’t exactly go where you’d expect to find someone to power through big senior-dominated lines — he went to freshman gym class.
“I’ve been a downhill back my whole life,” Jett said. “My job is just run straight — straight and fast. I enjoy the contact. It’s good because it’s one of the only offensive positions that gets to really put it on people once in a while.”
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Jett, how a junior, has put it on Glenbard East and Rock Island for 385 yards on 42 carries. He’s a key reason the Saints (2-0) are optimistic heading into a critical stretch, starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday at home against Geneva (1-1).
“I was extremely surprised when coach Farquhar came to me that day after gym class and said, ‘You’re practicing with the varsity today, show me what you’ve got,'” Jett said. “It was just a huge shock for a freshman.”
Defenses felt the real shock. The Saints won 16 of the next 19 after Jett came up from the sophomore team.
“He’s built for the fullback position in this offense, really,” Farquhar said. “He was physically ready. The speed was there, the strength was there. Not many freshmen have his type of mentality.
“He was physical, aggressive and mature enough to play a position where you have to be able to grind for yards and move the pile.”
Technique meshes with Jett’s brute force.
Jett has the ball in his belly a split second before the quarterback decides to leave it or keep it. Jett worked well for two seasons with Zach Mitchell to avoid indecision or fumbles and has developed a similar relationship with new quarterback Clayton Isbell.
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“The stress really falls on Clayton,” Jett said. “I’m plowing straight ahead no matter what. Having someone else running it, the timing was a little uncomfortable at first. But then you get in a rhythm. We have chemistry.
“Clayton and I have been friends for years, and worked on our own time to get this down.”
Even fullbacks require help in breaking down defenses.
“Our offensive line has stepped up and I credit them,” Jett said.
With only 270-pound Justin Hull returning, the offensive line was an area of concern.
“Those guys are growing into their spots,” Farquhar said.
Jett grew into his spot by putting on 30 pounds in two years. He power-cleans 325 pounds.
“Coach (Olijuwon) Davis put together a fantastic program to make sure we had proper hip mobility and strength,” Jett said. “When it comes to strength and nutrition, I trust that man more than anyone I’ve met.”
The rest is genetics, Jett said.
“I take after my mom (Candace) and her side of the family,” Jett said. “She’s really athletic. My dad (Jim) is about 5-8, not a genetic freak but a tough, Italian guy.”
The Saints will be running face first into the conference race. After resurgent Geneva, they play title contenders St. Charles North (1-1) and Batavia (2-0).
No other conference team faces a similar three-game gauntlet. The Saints also had to do it last season.
“I complained about it,” Farquhar said. “They said it was a blind draw.”
At least if they have to run straight into a wall, they’re led by a fullback with the particular set of skills for it.
Twitter @genechamberlai2