Griffin next in line for Tailback High (w/video)

CEDAR RAPIDS - He's the next one. Maybe the next great one.

"I'm the next Washington running back," Will Griffin said. "I don't know about terrific or anything. We'll find out. We'll find out when we start wearing pads. Anybody can look good when you're just in a helmet and not getting touched. So we'll see."

Cedar Rapids Washington has quite the recent history of fine football tailbacks. There's Alex Carr and Andre Dawson, Paki O'Meara and Travis Rhone.

Hey, good luck trying to follow all that, kid.

"I definitely feel like I have to represent for Tailback High," Griffin said. "That's what we call it. My goal is to get 2,000 yards this season."

You'd think the 5-foot-8, 200-pound senior should have a chance at that number, barring injury. He's got a powerful body and sprinter's speed, finishing second in the 100 meters at last spring's Class 4A state track meet.

And he's got a big, experienced offensive line to run behind. That includes three-year starters Sean Bredl, Tyler Burrell and Storm Henry.

"That helps out a lot," Griffin said. "They have a lot of experience at the varsity level. They know the speed, so they can protect me well. I'm cool with them all the time. We'll go out to breakfast. We have that good chemistry."

It's always good to take care of the guys that take care of you.

"We'll see, but I think Will is going to be really good," Washington Coach Tony Lombardi said. "He worked hard all summer, and it's important to him. And we average about 265 up front.

"He has a gear we've never had here before. He has an acceleration we haven't had here before. We'll see. Can he stand the punishment?"

It also should help Griffin that Washington should be able to throw the football better this season. A.J. Puk is a second-year starter at quarterback, and Lombardi says he's got some receivers to catch Puk's passes.

Washington was 7-4 last season, losing to Dubuque Hempstead in the opening round of the 4A playoffs.

Here's a quick interview with Griffin and a short snippet from Wednesday's practice:

Tyler Burrell, Storm Henry, Sean Bredl