WHITNEY PUTS WHEELS ON JHS PLAYOFF WAGON

JACKSON -- Sometimes when Jackson running back Mario Whitney dashes past 11 defenders en route to the end zone, it's easy to forget he's a sophomore.

But when talking face-to-face, his youth is evident.

Whitney, a transfer from Atlanta, Ga., has been dubbed this year "Mario Speedwagon." It's a fitting spinoff of the popular rock band REO Speedwagon of the late 70s and early 80s, who have produced such titles as "Time for Me to Fly," "Take it on the Run", "Wheels are Turning," and, as Whitney so often does, "Breakaway".Whitney, born in 1983, had never heard of the group and didn't fully understand his nickname which was introduced publicly on the radio several weeks ago until the name of the band was brought to his attention on Tuesday.

But there's more, much more, to Whitney than a clever nickname.

His 40-yard dash time has been clocked as fast as 4.45 and is usually in the 4.5 range.

His team-high 15 touchdowns and countless knifing and shifting runs this year have been the subject of many conversations of Jackson fans. He's averaging more than 7 yards per carry on the season.

But what seems to excite fans and the Indian coaching staff more than anything can be summed up in one word: potential."The sky is the limit," said Jackson coach Carl Gross. "I've been around football for a long time -- 25 years as a coach and eight years as a player -- and I don't think that I've ever seen a player as gifted as he is. His speed. His unbelievable hand-eye ability and the ability to make people miss."Whitney has by no means been a one-man show for the playoff-bound Indians this year.

He is one of many offensive weapons at Gross' disposal. Wide receiver Tory Meyr, for example, is likely the team's MVP with his 80 points this season and his sound play on defense and special teams.

But no player on the Indians' roster -- and perhaps no player in Southeast Missouri has Whitney's raw talent. His 238 yards rushing last week helped push Jackson over Poplar Bluff 41-27 in what gave Jackson the district title.

But that's not to say The Speedwagon doesn't have his flaws. And he's the first to admit it."I need to work on my upper-body strength," said Whitney, who until his freshman year was an offensive lineman. "It doesn't take much to take me down; all you have to do is just grab me and pull me down. But I think I also need to work on my speed some because I think I have slowed down a little bit since I've been here, so I need to work a little bit harder on that."Gross agreed that Whitney needs to strengthen up, but said he could improve some on his endurance also."He's an awful good player right now," Gross said. "But with more strength and endurance, there's no telling what he could do. But sometimes we forget that he just turned 16 in October. It's not like we're talking about a 21-year old. But I will tell you this: He probably understands the game as well as any sophomore in high school I've been around."Whitney doesn't just depend on his speed, either.

According to Gross, his cutting abilities also set him apart."So many lose speed and slow their feet when they cut," said Gross. "Mario makes his cuts at full speed. Sometimes it doesn't look like he's moving as much side to side as he really is. The other night against Poplar Bluff, there was a guy we didn't block and Mario got the football and made him miss and accelerated in one motion. That was total God-given instinct. There's not a person on this planet who would've had enough time to process that in their minds. It's total instincts."He made that kid miss in the hole and two kids had angles on him. And one of them was a 10.8, 100-meter runner and a state-champ pole vaulter. We're not talking chopped liver here. Mario has that other gear to make someone miss."Whitney may have just moved to Jackson, but he is very familiar with the area.

He lived here when he was much younger and since his third-grade year he has spent summers with his uncle, playing summer baseball.

He liked the area so much, he wanted to move here."I've been wanting to live here for the longest time," Whitney said. "I like the small-town atmosphere. I thank coach for giving me the opportunity to play at this level. It's a big opportunity for me. I wouldn't have received recognition like this where I was from. It was a big city and a huge school. They don't pay attention to freshmen and sophomores. But I feel really welcome here."When I was first here at camp, I thought it would take a while to learn everything and get to know everybody. But everyone has been really nice. I really didn't think I would have a shot at varsity. I looked at some of the backs and they were pretty good."Whitney lives with his uncle, with his mother still in Atlanta. That is difficult, Whitney said, but "I see her all the time. She's coming up for the Cape game."In addition to running back, Whitney also lines up as a receiver sometimes. He plays cornerback on defense and returns punts and kicks.

He has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season and has had long returns on a few punt returns.

Whitney said he enjoys the special teams the most.

On defense, he's not as much of an impact player."(Outside linebackers Kevin) Brunke and (Jason) Jones are our playmakers on defense," Whitney said. "They get a lot of tackles and save me from having to make them. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not the greatest defensive player ever. I'm just there to guard a fast guy."