ROWLAND — Darrius Brown is going back to the position he played and grew to love in middle school as he transitions from running back to quarterback.

The move takes South Robeson’s all-county and all-conference running back, who also led the team in rushing last year, under center starting the play with the ball every time. Brown sees a lot of potential for the offense with him in his new position.

“The offense is capable of a lot of things,” Brown said. “With me having the ball and me depending on the offensive line and the backfield, it doesn’t have to be me all the time. I can depend on them.”

Cameron Werrell was the starter at quarterback for most of last season and wanted to make the move to tight end this season. With an opening at quarterback, South Robeson coach Clay Jernigan saw a possibility of enhancing the wing-t offense with a lighting-quick running back taking the snaps.

Brown and Jernigan have seen players develop in the backfield this offseason that helps make the move easier on the team and leave the Mustangs with multiple threats out to run with.

“This means that the team is stepping up and I can depend on the backfield now,” Brown said. “It’s a lot of weapons and tricks going out there this year.”

Learning to play a new position can be seen as a tough move, but Brown said his familiarity at quarterback has made the move easy and Jernigan said the offense is easy to move players around in.

“It’s not going to be a hard transition for the running backs to go to quarterback because they’ll still know the plays and all they’ve got to work on is the footwork and the handing off,” Jernigan said.

“I’ve got to do it for my team to make my team better,” Brown said.

Being a quarterback comes with new responsibilities when it comes to leadership and Brown knows what that calls for on every play.

“I want to be a leader, a big leader,” Brown said. “Everybody is going to look up to me on the field.

“I have to improve my attitude because when I would have a bad play, I’d get down. And this year, I can’t let my team see me down.”

Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Darrius Brown rolls out during practice. Brown takes over at quarterback this season for the Mustangs after leading the team in rushing last season.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Darrius.jpgJonathan Bym | The Robesonian Darrius Brown rolls out during practice. Brown takes over at quarterback this season for the Mustangs after leading the team in rushing last season.
All-county running back moves to QB for Mustangs

By Jonathan Bym

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Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.