By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
Adawi Revels doesn’t have a carry this season, but he’s contributed to the resurgence of Catawba’s running game.
Starting tailback Jamelle Cuthbertson, working behind an improved offensive line and a first-year fullback in Revels, has gained at least 100 yards in three straight contests.
“I’m just happy to be blocking right now,” Revels said. “I’m not really looking for the ball. If they want to give me the ball, that’s fine, but I’m not expecting any carries.”
Revels filled an opening created by the loss of fullback Walter Horne, a key ingredient to Catawba’s conference championship run in 2007.
Revels, a Tuscarora Indian, said his first name means “Adam’s horse.” His brothers and sisters also have Native American names.
Revels was a standout defender at North Iredell High School, and he redshirted as a true freshman at Catawba in 2006. He played in 10 games last season and made nine tackles as a special teams performer and backup linebacker.
Revels made a bigger mark in wrestling before his move to fullback. After finishing fourth in the 3A ranks at 215 pounds as a prep senior, he earned All-America honors from the National Collegiate Wrestling Association as a true freshman on Catawba’s club team. He placed eighth nationally at 235 pounds.
Revels’ role on the football team changed following his mat emergence, and Revels only practiced with the wrestling team last winter.
As a 220-pound fullback, he still gets to throw his powerful frame around in tight spaces.
“Walter was probably one of the best fullbacks I’ve ever been around, period,” Catawba coach Chip Hester said. “To have Adawi come in and pick up that slack, he’s still learning, but we’ve seen his play improve steadily. He’s very conscientious, he’s very dependable and he likes contact.”