Todd Wessel

School: Jackson

Sport: Football

Coach: Carl Gross

This season: Wessel, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior running back, has rushed for over 180 yards in three of Jackson's four games. In a 17-14 loss to Sikeston, he gained 181 yards on 24 carries and in a 38-26 loss to Sumner, he went for 191 yards on 34 carries. He has a total of 754 yards rushing on 102 carries, and has scored six touchdowns.

Week report: In a 37-21 win over Graves County (Ky.), Wessel ran for 291 yards on 30 carries and scored on a 63-yard touchdown run. The win was the first of the season for the 1-3 Indians. Wessel fell 12 yards short of Jackson's all-time, single-game rushing yards mark of 303, held by Mike Randon.

Coach's comments: "His dad's been dragging him to football games since he was old enough to walk. He's a tough kid. I think the reason Todd had some a good game against Graves County was that he showed some patience."

Wessel wears white football spikes because they were the only shoes which fit him correctly.

"To be really honest, he's kind of disappointed about that. And his dad doesn't like it at all. It's not anything about him trying to make a statement. But I'd rather have him wear a shoe that fits, than wear one that's the right color."