In the 6A Regina High School city final last Friday, Miller Marauders running back Marcus Adams made it his full-time job being in the endzone. He crossed the goal line six times and had 329 rushing yards to boot, to help Miller beat the Riffel Royals 41 to 37 and advance to Saturday’s provincial championship game. The Grade 12 back has some impressive lineage when it comes to football. His father Marcus Adams was a former defensive lineman with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. “Growing up and see my dad play, I didn’t get to see a lot of his career because I was a bit late to the party. But, just having that idea that he played, it kind of motivated me to get to that level and surpass him,” said Adams. Adams’ mother, Jess Gawley, played running back for the Regina Riot. “She was like, half pregnant with my sister. So, she’s pregnant playing football. So, it’s a pretty interesting story that she did that. But it definitely plays a role in how I carry myself every day,” he said. To go along with the genetics, Adams is also a student of the professional football game. He told CTV News that he watches film of former NFL running back LeVeon Bell often. “He’s such a patient back and he likes to let everything develop. He’ll stretch it, stretch it, and then puncture. Stretch the defense and be patient and then you puncture. Let your blocks work, let your blocks develop and I like watching him every day,” Adams said. Adams also credits a lot of hard work behind the scenes to his growth as a football player throughout his high school career. He cited his four-day per-week workout regimen with former NFL and CFL player and founder of True Potential Coaching and Consulting, Ventson Donelson. Marauders head coach Jason Duczek told CTV News it’s a team effort that allows his star running back to get loose. “It’s not just a Marcus team. Yeah, we’re a full team together here, and he’s the guy who carries the ball, but we have to block for him, we have to do all that stuff to give those opportunities for him. And if we can give that for him, he is dangerous out on the field,” Duczek said. Now, just one night away from a provincial championship rematch with the Holy Cross Crusaders, Adams is chomping at the bit to get the game going. “It gives me the little jitters just thinking about it because this group is so tight and close and we’ve been through so much adversity and being able to fight through that adversity and getting to the final just means everything and to have a chance to win it means everything,” Adams noted. Holy Cross won last year’s final 21 to 16 in Saskatoon. This year’s provincial champion will be decided Saturday afternoon at Leibel Field.
