By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
For all the questions about who would ascend to a role as Southern Alamance’s go-to running back this year, the easiest answer would have come by asking Justin Donley.
He said he knew he was up to the task.
The senior has become the primary ball carrier for a Patriots offense that relies on durability and efficiency with a rushing attack.
Through seven games, Donley has compiled 807 rushing yards with 12 touchdown runs, accounting for one-third of Southern’s touchdown total. He’s also the Patriots’ leading receiver and punt returner.
Even with limited opportunities on the varsity level, he said he never doubted he could handle a heavy load.
“Sophomore year when I was on JV and then last year whenever I played,” Donley said of the overflowing confidence.
The Patriots needed to fill production from Logan Foust, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards last year, and Jackson Parrish, who gained more than 1,100. They’re both in college programs, while Josiah Tysinger ran for 12 touchdowns.
“Those were our guys,” senior tight end Jake Whitt said. “Now, (Donley is) our guy. I figured he would be our guy.”
Quarterback Nathan McNeal used to share carries with Donley as a junior varsity running back.
“He’s a really good athlete,” McNeal said. “He’s just tough, and our linemen help him a lot.”
With a new coach arriving last winter, Donley still had to prove he could handle the beefed-up responsibility.
“Just a testament to his hard work,” coach Tony McCants said. “When I got here, in the spring it was clear he was one of the leaders in the weight room.”
The weight room is where Donley said he made significant gains. He’s up to about 180 pounds, knowing he would need additional muscle.
“I was pretty skinny sophomore year and last year,” he said.
Donley makes regular morning visits to a Burlington gym, with Whitt, also a defensive end, joining him.
Yet at first glance he’s far from the physically imposing backfield that once housed Foust and Parrish.
“It’s surprising just looking at him,” McNeal said of Donley’s tackle-shedding style.
Donley is brimming with confidence, but he said there’s nothing unusual about his approach.
“Just running straight as hard as I can,” he said. “Just getting mad. When my adrenaline gets pumping, I get wound up.”
When hearing that Donley embraces the get-angry angle of carrying the ball, Whitt wasn’t surprised.
“He has a temper and knows how to use it,” Whitt said.
Donley had 23 carries and 149 yards on the ground in the 23-12 victory against Roxboro Person. The Patriots (4-3 overall, 2-1 Central 3-A Conference), who have three games remaining, were off last week before heading to Orange for Friday night’s league game.
The workload is fine because having his number called is what he envisioned on Friday nights.
“It does get called a lot,” he said. “I would rather run this offense than anything else. It’s just fun.
“Last game, I still felt pretty fresh after the game. I’m pretty sore the next day, but during the game I feel good.”
Donley, who’s called “Junior” among the Patriots because he shares the same name with his father, plays on Southern’s defense as a safety. He went from a 2023 back-up to a two-way starter.
“I think Justin has done a great job holding his own,” McCants said.
And apparently, he has been listening.
Donley said he’s in regular contact with Foust, who didn’t depart without some advice.
“He told me last year at the end of the season that I was going to have to step up and do the same thing he did,” Donley said.
