|
|
Published September 13, 2008 01:59 am -
Little big men enjoy proving people wrong
Norman, Farabi play major offensive roles despite lack of size
By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Missouri Southern wide receiver Isaac Norman believes he has a height advantage.
“I’m working at slot receiver this year, so I get good matchups with linebackers and safeties,” he said. “I definitely use my speed and agility to get around them and try to make some plays for the offense.”
So does Pittsburg State running back Caleb Farabi.
“Definitely ... I think maybe more so for me than him,” he said. “I’m running behind 6-3, 6-4 offensive linemen all day, and sometimes I get hidden behind them.”
Norman, at 5 feet, 5 inches, 155 pounds, and Farabi, at 5-6, 170, stand tall and play primary roles in their respective offenses.
Farabi, a senior who was an honorable mention all-American last year, has gained 117 and 111 yards in the Gorillas’ first two games, giving him ten 100-yard performances in his last 13 games. He’s scored 29 touchdowns in 35 career games, and his 2,133 yards rank 17th on the Gorillas’ career rushing list.
“I think I have exceeded expectation,” Farabi said. “I even had questions coming in ... if I carried it 20-25 times a game week in and week out, would my body hold up. Luckily it has.”
Norman caught a 67-yard touchdown strike during his limited action in the Lions’ 66-9 victory over Haskell last week. A junior, Norman is tied for seventh in school history with 98 career receptions, and his 1,288 receiving yards leave him 39 short of cracking the school’s top 10.
“Actually in high school my senior year I think I only had 21 receptions and five touchdowns,” Norman said. “My freshman year here I was able to have 49 receptions (for 595 yards) and put up five touchdowns. Having to play better just because everyone else is better, that had a lot to do with it.”
The coaches, however, aren’t surprised.
“I can’t say that we are shocked at (Norman’s) production,” Lions head coach Bart Tatum said. “We expected him to be a pretty good player, and he is.”
“Caleb is so much different than other backs we’ve had,” Gorillas head coach Chuck Broyles said. “He’s not like Germaine Race or Ronald Moore or Darren Dawson because of his size. But the thing about Caleb is how durable he is. He takes some shots. He doesn’t just run on the edge. He’s an inside runner, hits the holes and makes people miss.”
Both admit they also face size disadvantages.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|