By Tom Halliburton - The News Sports Writer

  NEDERLAND - Jameson DeLord never, ever has forgotten his roots, because they run very deep into his career.

  Nederland's senior fullback appreciates offensive linemen more than virtually any Nederland running back ever has. That's because he WAS one for so long.

  Every year during his playing career, DeLord was an offensive lineman before this year. He seemed destined to be a career-long weakside guard until one day last November as the Bulldogs prepared for a Class 4A area round playoff game against Richmond Foster.

  Recuperating from a wrist injury which sidelined him for five weeks, DeLord found himself at fullback on a scout team. The idea of enhancing Jameson's career at fullback occurred to offensive line coach Phil Pate and defensive ends coach Kevin Simon.

 

  "My offensive line coach (Pate) hinted that I might make a good fullback," DeLord remembered. "We were playing Richmond Foster and they had a fullback with quite a bit of meat on his bones. He was a pretty big guy and they (Nederland's coaches) needed somebody who would run powerful and run straight, instead of trying to juke or weave."

  Gad, what a graphic memory. Well... let's just permit the 17-year-old son of Paul and Mary Beth DeLord to continue. He's talking about his brief stay on the scout team to prepare Nederland's defense for Richmond Foster's fullback.

  "So they put me in there and I guess they noticed I had a bit more speed, instead of just going five yards at a time. That's how I ended up being a fullback."

  That's when the wheels of change started to rotate in DeLord's extremely modest football career... extremely modest at that point... maybe not for much longer.

  You see, Micah Mosley carries the ball plenty... perhaps too much to suit a few play-callers on Nederland's football staff. The more DeLord carries the ball, the more comfortable and capable he seems to become.

  DeLord has carried the ball 15 times for 87 yards in four games. That's close to six yards a pop -- which is mighty good. It also has placed Jameson second behind Mosley in team rushing stats. It's also not far from DeLord's inclusion among District 20-4A's leading rushers.

  A surprising development, you ask? Sure, but Jameson believed in himself. Another important role player in Nederland's program believed in DeLord. His name was Larry Neumann.

  "Jameson always has been a very tough-minded, intense player who's committed to being the best he can be," the Dogs head coach said in a fitting compliment. "He does whatever he can to prepare himself. But there was not that much thought about him carrying the football. His ability to carry the ball has been a real positive."

  As long as DeLord holds onto the ball with each carry and gains five-plus yards per attempt, there's going to be a future for Jameson's ability to run the ball in Nederland's offense. Not just any NHS back can get five yards a handoff. And not just any NHS back can hold onto the ball without fumbling it away.

  But trust this young man, when his number is called, it's a rush. It's a rush in more ways than one.

  "It's always a surprise whenever they run in the play and I get the ball," he admitted. "I'm not used to it. It's a rush for me."

  Those occasions occur often in short-yardage situations when Nederland's offensive players need a few hard yards.

  But before our weekly hero gets too full of his accomplishments, he knows his roots. He fully understands his success comes because of holes opened by his fellow blockers. Translation: been there, done that.

  "Being a lineman, it helped me a lot in my blocking, especially my pass blocking," DeLord said. "I can't do anything but get better. I think I'm pretty decent. I don't think I'm an all-star.

  "Really I think my success is based on our offensive line. I think we have a really good offensive line. That's the reason that I get a good amount of yards."

  In keeping with a time-honored tradition, Nederland's backs make sure to provide invaluable royalties to their blockers for all their unappreciated labor. In fact, DeLord almost makes it read as if a running back at Nederland has to be rich to take care of all his blockers.

  "I think Mosley usually takes about $5 off their meal when we go out to eat on Thursday," DeLord said. "He brings 'em cookies and donuts. He understands how good they do has a lot to do with how good we do."

  Bribery... that's what it's called. Jameson has been on both sides of that coin. The more handoffs DeLord gets, the more genius of an offensive coordinator that Monte Barrow gets. And all these heroics came from a weakside offensive guard.

 

Bulldog Bites

 

  Head coach Larry Neumann denied rumors that any of three dismissed players in late August had been reinstated onto Nederland's football team. Rumors circulated in Mid-County on Tuesday that those three players had rejoined the team. Neumann said he would not rule out the possibility that officials in the NISD administration have addressed the issue, but he dismissed any rumors that administrative-level actions had led to a reinstatement of the players.... Offensive guard Trevor Huber missed the Friendswood game with an ankle sprain but returned to practice on Tuesday and is expected to start Friday's 20-4A league opener against Beaumont Central in Bulldog Stadium. Senior receiver/defensive back Ryan Butler was listed as "questionable to doubtful" for Central by Neumann. Butler is receiving therapy for his leg bruises and "is still not 100 percent," according to Neumann. Bandit linebacker Steven Phillips, who gave a great effort at Friendswood, was considered doubtful for Central. Phillips reaggravated a deep hamstring pull. Phillips has been able to walk but he needs healing time. DT Ron Mohica sustained a neck stinger at the end of the second overtime but has returned to practice this week.... The Dogs will be greeted when they take the field by Hillcrest elementary school students. The Hillcrest elementary pep rally is scheduled for Thursday at 12:45 p.m..... Top grades from the Friendswood video belonged to QB Dustin Hood (91), DE Vincent Perricone (88), DT Ron Mohica (86), TB Micah Mosley and ILB Darin Smith (83), FB Jameson DeLord (82) and good work on both sides from two-way starter Tyler Thompson (80 on offense and 81 on defense).