Monroe Central fullback Jansen Blevins powers through a Wes-Del defender on Sept. 25, 2015.
PARKER CITY — There isn’t a whole lot about Jansen Blevins’ game that’s flashy or pretty.
Monroe Central’s fullback, he’s a change-of-pace back for the speedy and elusive Tyler Writtenhouse. A dangerous one-two combo, they both provide home-run potential, but Blevins is more apt to run over his defender rather than around him.
The No. 12 Golden Bears (9-2) will need his power when they face off in the Sectional 44 championship at No. 8 Adams Central (10-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Blevins started playing football when he was just three, as his dad coached him while he played flag football. As he grew older and continued to play into middle school, he wasn’t under the weight limit to run the ball, so he played right guard.
It wasn’t until he reached the eighth grade that the situation changed.
“I walked into practice my eighth grade year and the coaches said, ‘This kid needs to run the ball,'” Blevins said. “I started running the ball ever since and fell in love with the fullback position.”
As a fullback, Blevins’ responsibilities are greater than most running backs. Not only does he have to run the ball, he’s required to stay in and either protect quarterbacks Logan Conklin and Wyatt Snyder or provide blocking for other runners.
His previous experience at right guard allows him an advantage while blocking, although many fullbacks were former linemen when they were younger.
As the season has gone on, he’s seen an increased role in the run game. Last week against Tri-Central, he had a team-high 18 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown. He finished a win against Anderson Prep to open the postseason with 157 yards and three touchdowns.
Those were his two most productive games of the season, as he didn’t top 62 yards in any other contest. As the weather turns cold, passing the ball becomes harder and power running is a luxury not every team has, but the Golden Bears do.
Many of his biggest plays have come in the second half, when the defense is feeling worn down from chasing Writtenhouse all game. With the defense gasping for breath, the last thing they want to see is a 220-pound bowling ball running at them.
“The intensity is pretty high in the first quarter, but by the fourth, players are wearing down,” Blevins said. “That’s when we like to really punch it in.”
Monroe Central coach John Hochstetler said one place Blevins excels is the weight room. He squats 500 pounds, making him especially useful in short-yardage situations.
Line Blevins up in the backfield, hand him the ball and watch him power over defenders for the first down.
“He’s proven to be secure with the ball and as a senior, he’s smart and has proven he can handle the different sets,” Hochstetler said. “He’s versatile and he earns his worth, during big times in games. He’s hard for kids to stop.”
Contact prep sports reporter David Polaski at dmpolaski@muncie.gannett.com Follow him on Twitter @DavidPolaskiTSP.
Friday’s ECI Sectional Championships
Class 1A: No. 12 Monroe Central (9-2) at No. 8 Adams Central (10-1), 7:30 p.m.
Class 2A: No. 5 Eastbrook (11-0) at No. 10 Winchester (9-2), 7 p.m.
Class 4A: Pendleton Heights (5-6) at Delta (8-3), 7 p.m.