After enjoying a Hudson Reporter All-Area season as the starting quarterback for the Lions of Lincoln High School, Darius Wade was set to get shifted to a new position at wide receiver, which is his natural position.
“I wasn’t disappointed,” Wade said. “I was happy to go back to my true position. I was happy that we were getting a natural quarterback [junior Zymire Gordon, a transfer from Bayonne] and that the coaches knew what I was capable of. I wasn’t disappointed at all.”
Veteran Lincoln head coach Robert Hampton knew that he had to change his offense around to fit the style of newcomer Gordon and that meant moving Wade to receiver.
“We knew with Gordon’s arm strength, his height, his ability, we had to do something to capitalize on Darius’ ability,” Hampton said. “There aren’t many defensive backs who could keep up with Darius and [Frank] Darby out there. We had to get him in open space and let him run. He’s a good wide receiver.”
Hampton said that Wade was a capable quarterback.
“He is a program kid who waited for his opportunity,” Hampton said. “At the time, we needed an athlete at quarterback. Darius was just a good athlete who was thrown back there and handled it, He was like the point guard in basketball.”
It’s just that Gordon was a better option – and Wade knew that well.
“He had the character to step aside,” Hampton said. “He could have pouted and been upset, but I never heard Darius complain once. I never heard him question the offense. He didn’t say a word.”
Wade was content being a wide receiver/defensive back/slot back for the Lions.
However, Wade’s quarterbacking days weren’t over.
“I still took second team reps [repetitions] at quarterback, just in case,” Wade said. “I still had it, but only a little bit.”
Last week, Wade had to prove that he still had a lot of his signal calling skills.
You see, Gordon suffered a concussion in the Lions’ 32-8 loss to Union City the week before, sending the talented junior to the sidelines.
Hampton wasted little time looking for a replacement. It had to be Wade. As the Lions prepared to face St. Anthony, Wade was going back to the position he played last year.
“We saw it every day in practice,” Hampton said. “Darius is such a hard worker. His practices are so good. It’s like a stroll in the park for him. He has no pressure on him. He had the entire show in his hands and we had a lot of faith in him. We wanted him to run the show. He’s a playmaker.”
Wade remembered what took place a year ago, when the Lions were upset by the Friars.
“It’s a little ironic that the week he [Gordon] gets hurt, we’re getting ready to play St. Anthony,” Wade said. “We lost to them last year, so I was looking for a little revenge. It was my time to step up.”
Wade said that he felt fine sliding into the quarterback role.
“I was comfortable,” Wade said. “Obviously, I had been there before. When my number was called, I had to step up. If we all played together and contribute, we would be fine.”
Wade did his part, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown and completing 4-of-8 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Lions to a 22-8 victory over the Friars.
For his efforts, Wade has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Wade knew how crucial the game was to the Lions, especially coming off the tough loss to Union City.
“It was really important for us to come back after that loss,” Wade said. “It was a key game for us in the state standings [the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II rankings]. It was a must-win for us.”
Hampton knew that Wade could come through in such a pressure-packed situation.
“Darius understood what we’re trying to get across,” Hampton said. “He’s a program kid. He’s willing to play anywhere. I can call on him to do anything. Pure and simple, he’s willing to do anything to help the team. He was just free. That’s how he played. He was free. He was like a capella. He was singing the solo and hitting all the notes.”
Wade knows that his chances of playing quarterback again are waning. The Lions face Hoboken this weekend and the team is waiting to see if Gordon gets clearance to play.
“This is no Wally Pipp situation [alluding to the fact that Lou Gehrig replaced Pipp due to an injury, then Gehrig played first base for the Yankees for the next 16 years straight],” Hampton said. “He’s going back to wide receiver and he knows it.”
“I’m planning on playing quarterback this week and have been practicing that way,” Wade said. “If he’s ready to go, then I play receiver. It’s as simple as that.”
Wade also plays cornerback defensively when he’s not the quarterback.
“I can play cornerback, safety, linebacker, wherever I’m needed,” Wade said.
It’s all part of trying to get recognized by a prospective college.
“I’ve been trying hard to get looked at,” Wade said. “I want to play on the next level.”
Hampton said that Central Connecticut State is interested in Wade as a defensive back. Concordia is another school with more than moderate interest.
“He’s going to go somewhere,” Hampton said. “He’s a good student and won’t have to go to junior college. Someone is going to take a chance on him. We’re just so lucky to have him. He’s the kind of kid who gets a challenge. We say, ‘Here’s the keys to the bus,’ and he goes and gets us a win. He’s a winner. I’m so happy for the kid.”
Wade knows that there is still a lot of season left.
“I know I can catch the ball, run with the ball, throw the ball,” Wade said. “I know when to use my speed. I have big play ability. So not having a college offer yet is really motivating me.”
Give it time. Some college will recognize Wade’s vast abilities – at whatever position he chooses to play, next week and beyond. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.