West Catholic's White runs 'like I'm a train'

WEST CATHOLIC senior running back Greg White sat inside the school's training room tightly wrapped in a black winter coat, bashfully answering questions, until one lit his face the way a touchdown lights a scoreboard.

Earlier, head coach Brian Fluck told of White's penchant for running over defenders.

So, how does it feel to trample a defender against his will, knowing he tried, but failed to wrangle yours?

"It's just like I'm a train," White said. "Because when I see you, if you look scared, I'm gonna try to truck you."

The 5-10, 185-pounder from Overbrook, whom teammates call "Tyson" because of his resemblance to the boxer, perhaps fittingly enjoys delivering on-field knockouts.

That running style has drawn nine college suitors, but also comes with a fire that White said he's still learning to control. And finding the proper balance will be important when the Burrs face defending champ Imhotep on Friday night for the AA city title.

"It's hard," he said. "That's what makes me a better runner. When I get mad, I run better and I play better."

"But it's good to control it, because I don't want to bring anybody on my team down. I have to be a leader at the same time, so I have to keep my anger inside."

At times, he said, it has been a challenge. White said now Fluck takes him out before he loses his composure, especially when baited by opponents. The lesson: harness that energy and make it a strength, not a weakness.

"A lot of teams see me as a hothead, so they talk trash to get me out of the game," he said. "Guess they're just setting themselves up for failure, because when they make me mad it makes me run even better."

White, 18, said part of his passion comes from his cousin, Quadaar White, who died in 2010 at only 15 years old after suffering an injury during football practice.

"He died playing football," White said. "It was something that he loved doing, so I see that as motivation to keep playing . . . so I keep playing for him."

This week, the Burrs face the Panthers, who throttled West Catholic, 40-8, last season and claimed the city crown.

"Feels good to play them again to get a chance at revenge," White said. "We thought we were better last year, but they came out and showed who the better team was."

After earning AA MVP and first-team All-Catholic as a junior, White rushed for 1,307 yards and had 20 total TDs this season, which earned him another first-team nod, 3,020 career yards and 50 scores in mostly two seasons (he rushed for 244 and two TDs as a sophomore).

But, the yards that stand out the most happened recently, and they didn't even count.

"Two weeks ago, he had a touchdown called back," Fluck said, "but he ran right through the hole, ran over a safety and went 87 yards."

"He really showed why he's a Division I running back," said teammate Patrick Amara, a 6-2, 190-pound wideout/defensive back who is committed to Pittburgh. "For a running back to lower his shoulder like that is just amazing."

"I guess just everything comes out on the field," White said. "I'm an angry runner. When I see somebody right in front of me they're getting punished."

So, Friday night could be must-see football, because lurking in the Panthers' secondary will be Deandre Scott, a 5-8, 165-pound free safety regarded by many as, pound-for-pound, the city's toughest tackler.

Players from both teams know one another from playing 7-on-7 throughout the city, and respect abounds.

"I especially respect Deandre Scott," Amara said. "Because even though he's a little guy, he'll hit you like he's 6-5!"

"Greg White is a phenomenal player," Imhotep's Scott said over the phone Monday night. "He works hard, I'll give him that. And he's not scared to deliver hits."

There will be no shortage of college talent on the field, so both sides know the game won't come down to White vs. Scott. Imhotep has 10 seniors with serious D-I interest.

White has narrowed his choices to UMass, Temple and Towson, and said the decision could come this week.

The discipline he found on the field also improved his grades. White said teachers and tutors have helped him earn close to a 2.7 GPA. Science gave him the most trouble.

"I'm good with numbers," he said with a smile. "I like counting money."

And last week, when he needed only 139 yards for 3,000, he also clocked his carries.

"I was talking about that all week," he joked. "[Coach Fluck] said, 'We'll let you get your 139, but then we'll make you take a knee, so you lose 1 yard.' But he was just joking. When I got it, I was happy."

"He's a good kid, and I think he has a great career ahead of him," Fluck said.

White just hopes to keep his high school career going.

"I don't want to lose," he said. "I don't want my season to end. This is my last year, and you don't get to go back."