FOOTBALL PREVIEWS ’10: Kentwood senior running back banking on healthy season

He was going to be the next big thing at Kentwood High. The type of running back who could outrun secondaries, and find openings when none appeared.

Power. Finesse. Speed.

Joseph Banks showed each of those traits his sophomore season in 2008, shortly after transferring to Kentwood from American Heritage Academy, which is located in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, Texas.

Used sparingly that year, Banks rushed for 545 yards and nine touchdowns on 61 carries while playing second fiddle to Darrius Coleman, who burst onto the scene his senior season with more than 1,200 yards on the ground.

It seemed fitting that Banks would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, and the rest of the great Kentwood running backs that came before him. He even sported the number 30, which a year before Banks arrived was worn by former Kentwood star Dimitrius Bronson, who set the school mark for rushing yards in a career and who is now playing at the University of Washington.

But in the blink of an eye, Banks’ future disappeared as quickly as he had done so many times before to oncoming defenders. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during — of all things — a 7-on-7 passing camp a little more than a month before the start of the 2009 season.

“I made a cut, and my knee popped out of place,” Banks explained. “Then it popped back in. I really didn’t think that I tore it at first. Then I went to the doctor and he said it was completely torn.”

Banks’ junior season was over before it began.

“After about his third week (Banks’ sophomore season), I thought he was potentially an all-state running back,” Kentwood coach Rex Norris said. “(The entire coaching staff) was thinking that.”

Instead of turning French Field into his own personal playground once a week last season, Banks was forced into a spectator’s role. As he rehabilitated his knee, Banks studied play after play, snap after snap, in preparation for one final push on the prep gridiron.

As difficult as it was, Banks refuses to look back today in frustration and grumble about missed opportunities.

It’s simply not his style.

“It was extremely hard to see what I could have done to help my team,” said Banks, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back who still possesses all the tools to make a big impact this fall. “But I looked at it like an opportunity. I was able to help other guys, and coach them up to be better prepared.”

That said, losing a year of high school eligibility was painful, both physically and emotionally for Banks.

“I kind of felt like my junior year was my year to start, to show Washington what I could do,” said Banks, who had Kentwood’s three longest runs from scrimmage during the 2008 campaign. “Then I hurt my knee, which was unfortunate.”

Kentwood travels to Mount Rainier on Friday (Sept. 3) for a season-opening 7 p.m. showdown.

Banks, now sporting the number 1 on the back of his jersey, has been waiting more than a year for kickoff.

“I switched to number 1 because I felt that, after my knee injury, that I needed a new start,” he explained. “I am super-ready for the season right now. I can’t wait until the first game on Sept. 3. It has been more than a year since I played in a real-game situation.

“I am beyond ready for it.”

While Banks was pretty much a slam-dunk choice to start in the backfield before the knee injury, that’s not quite the case this year. As always, Kentwood has a loaded stable of running backs, a group that includes 2009 starters Jared Fuller, Matt Hubbard and Mikell Everett. Meanwhile, Ronnie Flowers, who also suffered an ACL injury at the same camp as Banks and subsequently missed the 2009 season, also is expected to make a triumphant return this fall.

“It will certainly be very, very competitive back there,” Norris said. “Whoever has the hot hand, and whoever can hold onto the football is going to play.”

For Banks, it’s all a matter of getting the opportunity, something that seemed imminent two years ago.

“I think (the injury) could benefit me,” said Banks, who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. “I can show people that I can recover from injury quick and that I still got it.”

KENTWOOD CONQUERORS: AT A GLANCE

• Coach: Rex Norris, 7th year, 44-20 overall.

• Last year: 6-2 in league, 2nd in the SPSL North, 7-3 overall.

• Type of offense: Pro-I.

• Offensive returners: Dalton Blackmore, sr., TE, 6-3, 220; Jason Boyce, sr., WR, 6-3, 215; Morgan Hasagawa, sr., WR, 5-10, 160; Jared Fuller, sr., RB, 5-10, 185; Taylor Kempf, sr., OL, 6-2, 215; Komo Tiarra, sr., OL, 6-6, 220; Shane Green, sr., QB, 6-0, 180; Mikell Everett, sr., RB, 5-9, 160; Matt Hubbard, jr., RB, 5-10, 170; Joseph Banks, sr., RB, 5-9, 200; JJ Malupe, sr., TB, 5-10, 170; Lonzell Young, sr., TB, 5-7, 170; Quinn Casey, sr., WR, 6-0, 190; Jacob Hermanson, sr., FB, 6-1, 240; Steele Warner, sr., TB, 5-8, 170.

• Type of defense: 5-2.

• Defensive returners: Dalton Blackmore, sr., OLB, 6-3, 220; Jason Boyce, sr., OLB, 6-3, 215; Morgan Hasagawa, sr., DB, 5-10, 160; Jared Fuller, sr., ILB, 5-10, 185; Taylor Kempf, sr., DL, 6-2, 215; Komo Tiarra, sr., DL, 6-6, 220; Shane Green, sr., ILB, 6-0, 180; Mikell Everett, sr., DB, 5-9, 160; Matt Hubbard, jr., DB, 5-10, 170; Joseph Banks, sr., DB, 5-9, 200; JJ Malupe, sr., DB, 5-10, 170; Lonzell Young, sr., DB, 5-7, 170; Quinn Casey, sr., OLB, 6-0, 190; Jacob Hermanson, sr., ILB, 6-1, 240; Steele Warner, sr., DB, 5-8, 170.

• Top newcomers: Visa Thach, jr., FB/ILB, 5-9, 200; Matt Herrick, jr., TB/DB, 6-0, 230; Greg Tulio, jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 290; Sam Logar, sr., TE/OLB, 5-10, 170; Ryan Maloney, jr., TE/OLB, 6-0, 180; Kevin Bond, jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 220; James Hatfield, jr., FB/ILB, 5-8, 185; Jerret Retz, jr., WR/DB, 6-2, 170; Jesse Lavato, jr., WR/DB, 5-7, 180; Mitchell Cox, so., OL/ILB/K, 5-11, 180; Adam Bese, sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 180; Quincy Davison, jr., OL/D, 6-2, 280.

• Outlook: Kentwood is as loaded as ever in the backfield, and quarterback Shane Green simply adds to that strength. But the Conquerors are in the process of replacing the bulk of their offensive line, which is traditionally a strength. The junior varsity went undefeated last fall, so plenty of capable replacements on the O line should be available. It’s a matter of getting them up to speed at the varsity level. Kentwood’s defensive line is in the same situation, though its secondary and linebacking corps remain much intact from a year ago. As always, Kentwood should challenge for one of the top spots in the North.

• Key game: Friday, Oct. 1 at French Field vs. Auburn. The Trojans are the unanimous choice among coaches to win its third straight SPSL North crown while Kentwood is pegged to challenge for the top spot. This Week 5 match-up will be pivotal for both teams in the race for the postseason.