He is a quarterback by trade, but last year Wilmington coaches moved Jake DeMedal to running back for just one season.
He ended up as an All State Honorable Mention as the Hounds won a state championship.
"Running back, I had to run a little harder,” DeMedal said. “Hard nosed. Be able to break a couple of tackles. It was different. Generally, I like to run more than throw. It was a relatively easy transition."
Back under center this season, DeMedal has become a threat through the air and on the ground. The 6'2'' senior is averaging a team best 107 yards a game, leading an offense which is scoring five touchdowns a night with a number of playmakers.
"I have to learn everyone's position, help everyone else out,” DeMedal said. “I had to go through and learn the playbook again. It's a lot more technique and a little more finesse than it was at running back, just running through people."
DeMedal started at tailback as a junior, earning All State and All Region honors as the Greyhounds won a state championship. He has earned four letters in football and three in basketball.
While DeMedal always gets the job done on the field, he does the same in the classroom. The senior has earned a 96 percent average and has only had a couple of Bs in his high school tenure.
"I do take pride in my grades,” DeMedal said. “I like to work hard, I feel good about myself after I'm able to study, work hard after a grade I receive, I think I've earned it."
He is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Bible Club and Student Advisory Committee. And DeMedal has now earned the title of Student Athlete of the Week.
