Snellgrove does what needs doing for Rams

Next game

What: Division V-Region 20 quarterfinal, Badin Rams (5-5) vs. Richwood North Union Wildcats (10-0)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Wildcat Stadium, 401 N. Franklin Street, Richwood

HAMILTON — Nate Snellgrove is a running back who’s doing his job.

That job typically isn’t a glamorous one on Badin High School’s football team. Snellgrove understands. He’s fine with it.

“I play for my team,” Snellgrove said. “Our offense is the spread, so I’m not going to run the ball much. But I wouldn’t care if I didn’t get any carries, or if we passed the ball on every play.

“If playing for my team means protecting the quarterback’s blind side by pass blocking, I’m happy with that,” he continued. “If that means lead blocking for him, I’m happy to do that, too. If that’s what I need to do to get a victory, I’ll do it any day of the week.”

He is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior who’s been part of three straight playoff teams at Badin, with the Rams set to visit Richwood North Union for a Division V opener Saturday. His numbers (128 carries, 646 yards, seven touchdowns) are solid and the best of his prep career.

It’s been a low-profile year for Snellgrove, but that’s largely because of Badin’s spread offense. He is asked to block a lot.

“If the fullback is your main offensive weapon in the spread, you should probably find a better offense to feature him,” Rams coach Bill Tenore said. “Nate does what we need him to do back there.”

Snellgrove describes himself as “basically another guard.”

“All the linemen call me a guard,” he said. “I’m just more athletic. And skinnier.”

Snellgrove’s only individual goal has been achieved, yet is ongoing. He’s proud to say he has no fumbles this year.

Extending that streak won’t be easy. Snellgrove hyperextended his left elbow in Friday’s loss to McNicholas. It’s painful and not a good thing for somebody who’s trying to hold onto the ball with two hands.

“It’s the second time I’ve done it this season,” Snellgrove said. “I braced myself on the ground, and I heard a bunch of stuff crack and pop. I don’t think anything’s broken, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to the doctor and have him say, ‘Oh, you need to sit out a week.’ It’s my senior year. I’m going to play in the playoffs. That’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

Snellgrove admitted this season hasn’t lived up to the seniors’ lofty expectations.

“There’s going to be a lot of what-ifs when we look back and talk about this years from now,” he said. “But we’re still here. It’s almost like we were meant to be in the playoffs just to show everybody how good we are and how tough our schedule is.

“I guarantee you all those other teams are thinking, ‘They’re 5-5. They’re not that good,’ ” Snellgrove added. “We’re going to show them what’s up. They’re going to be surprised when they see what they have to deal with.”