By Tom Williams

Boardman teammates, coaches appreciate selfless play of senior.

But when it comes to giving up his his body to spring a teammate, Jarrett is a born leader.

Damien Jarrett

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Boardman football

“He’s our best runner and our best blocker,” Boardman coach D.J. Ogilvie said of last year’s all-Federal League first-team running back.

In 2007, Jarrett became the starting running back in Week 2. He finished with 1,166 yards as Boardman finished 8-4, including a Week 11 playoff win at Euclid.

“I love to hit. I love contact, that’s why I play football,” said Jarrett who already is off to a good start after two games. He’s rushed for 287 yards on 33 carries and scored four touchdowns. He also took a screen pass against Cuyahoga Falls 85 yards for a score.

“I love running the football and I like not getting hit,” Jarrett said. “I like giving the contact more than receiving.

“But I like blocking so the other running backs can get yards, too. So it’s not all about me.”

His coaches appreciate the example Jarrett sets.

In last week’s 55-17 win at Toledo Start, the Spartans ran a trap play for another back.

“[Jarrett] was behind the running back and sprinted across the field, got in front of our running back and blocked two guys, which helped earn us another 10 yards,” Ogilvie said. “Most guys would have just stopped and watched. He does the extra.”

Joe Ignazio, Spartans running backs coach, said, “What impresses me the most is at when he’s not in, as a senior it would be easy to go hang with your buddies. [But] he stands right behind our huddle and coaches up the young guys, lets them know what their assignments are. He’s really a mentor to our younger guys.”

Becoming the featured running back on one of the Federal League’s better teams has not been easy.

“I’ve always played backyard football but I didn’t start playing [organized] until seventh grade,” Jarrett said. A running back that year, he was moved to safety as an eight grader.

A year later, he was back on offense.

“I had him as a sprinter in middle school track,” said Ignazio, Jarrett’s freshman coach. “He gave us good speed at the halfback position.

“He’s very athletic, could make cuts [that] most freshman backs could not. He knew the game fairly well for a young kid.”

Jarrett earned enough playing time as a sophomore to earn his first varsity letter. In one game, he rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns.

During that offseason, Jarrett put everything he had into becoming stronger.

“I worked the whole offseason to get that [starting] job,” Jarrett said. “I went to the weight room every time we had lifting. In the summer when we ran, I was always first in the sprints.”

That dedication paid off.

“He’s showed he’s really willing to be coached,” Ignazio said. “He’d go above and beyond what you would ask him to do. He worked hard in the weight room. He kept getting stronger and faster each year.”

Inspiring him has been the weightroom work of the Spartans’ linemen — left tackle J.T. Moore, left guard Dan Morris, center Rob McBride, right guard Alex Lipinsky, right tackle Corey Linsley and tight ends Kevin Johnson and Pat McFall.

“They put so much effort in, they lift their butts off in the weightroom,” Jarrett said. “I feel so confident running behind them knowing how strong all of them are.”

But he admits he enjoys arriving in the end zone first.

“I turn around and wait for them to come after me,” Jarrett said. “I love it.”

In the spring, Jarrett runs track. His events include the 100-meter dash, the 200, relays and the long jump.

His mother, Cindy, who has raised him as a single parent, ran track for East High.

Jarrett said his uncle, Ramon Cuevas, has been the father figure in his life.

“When I was growing up, my role model was my Uncle Ramon,” Jarrett said.

“My mom loves watching me play football. I always look for her in the stands.

“Before every game, she sends me text messages telling me to have a good game, I love you and I’ll be in the stands looking for you.”

Fresh off a playoff season, Jarrett admits the Spartans won’t surprise anyone this season.

“We have more on our shoulders, more on our plate,” Jarrett said. “We have higher expectations from last year’s seniors. They made the step up and now we have to follow them. I really want a home playoff game this year.”

williams@vindy.com