By John Kovach

The LaBrae High tailback just waits for his linemen to open the holes for him.

LEAVITTSBURG — Patience is a virtue.

Just ask senior running back Cameron Truss of LaBrae High, who has an abundance of that golden commodity as he confidently waits in the backfield for his offensive linemen to do their jobs and open the holes.

“I’m just patient. I wait until they make their blocks to open the hole. Then I explode right through it,” said Truss, who already has rushed for some 900 yards and 14 TDs so far this year for the Vikings (4-1).

“I don’t run haphazardly at the line. It is a plan to wait for the blockers to open the hole.”

After Truss sees the holes open, which has been happening with regularity thanks to LaBrae’s experienced linemen, he lets his talent take over.

“My speed and my elusiveness and my ability to read my blocker — I consider those my strong points,” said Truss, who has the quickness to get away from defenders and go the distance.

But he knows who is buddies are on the line, and is grateful for their contributions. “Our line has been blocking excellent. The holes are there,” he emphasized.

His buddies are center Luke Macaluso, guards Trevor Hartill and Kaleb Yoho, tackles Nathan Elliott and Dale Hinzman and tight end Steve Woodyard.

Coach Bill Bohren, in his fifth season and who has guided Truss’ steady development as a smart, fast and elusive ball-carrier, said that Truss is the real deal.

“He has the speed and runs well and sees the field well,” said Bohren, whose Vikings play host to Struthers Friday at 7 p.m. “He has all the tools.”

Bohren said that Truss has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, and that coupled with that speed he has a strong and powerful lower body that makes him hard to stop.

“He has both the ability to get outside and run well inside, and he runs well after the first hit, as most good backs can do. They shake off the first hit and then go.”

But Bohren also said that Truss has been getting great blocking.

“We have a nice line. They do a good job for him. He follows the blocking real well,” said Bohren, who changed Truss’ position from split end to running back before the start of last season.

“We made that change. That is where he will play at the college level. Some colleges think he will be a defensive back but I think he will be a tailback,” said Bohren.

Truss, after catching many passes as a split end his sophomore year for about 550 yards, responded positively and successfully to his change to running back as a junior. He rushed for 1,400 yards and 12 TDs.

And so far this year through five games, he has rushed for some 900 yards and 14 TDs.

Truss said the change of positions seemed like a natural fit.

“I was used to that [running back] position because I played running back in junior high and freshman year,” said Truss. “I get a chance to touch the ball more and use my speed. I just feel way more comfortable in the backfield.”

LaBrae also benefits from Truss’ speed on defense in the secondary as a free safety. He does double duty as do most of LaBrae’s starters.

But besides Truss and his offensive line, LaBrae also has an overall experienced team which has been a big factor in the Vikings’ four-game winning streak after losing the season opener to Gilmour Academy, 28-21.

“We had all of our starters back from last year. We knew we had a team that had a lot of experience. That always helps. A lot of our kids play both ways,” said Bohren, whose Vikings have equalled their best season start since the coach took the helm.

“We started out at 4-1 with Todd Rowan [at quarterback] in his senior year in 2004,” said Bohren.

Truss, the only child of Cassandra and William Truss, said he hasn’t decided what college he will attend.

“I’m still looking,” said Truss, who has about a 2.6 grade-point average. “[My grades] have been getting better,” he said.

kovach@vindy.com