Avry Rutherford wore an expression of disbelief when Nixa coach John Perry informed him a reporter was wishing to speak to him.
“This guy has an eye for talent. He can see a superstar,” Perry said to Rutherford.
Indeed, Rutherford’s transition from fullback to nose guard during the Eagles' three weeks of summer camp went as well as could be expected, sparking optimism for his senior season.
“We play 50 percent of the time with an H-back and 50 percent of the time without one, so we were trying to figure out how to get him on the field more,” Perry said, recalling his staff's initial discussions on where to play Rutherford this year.
Coaches approached Rutherford at the end of the past school year with the idea of moving to nose guard.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I thought I would be at fullback,” Rutherford said. “But I like it a lot better than offense. I like hitting and being aggressive. I like beating the people in front of me and getting a tackle.”
Nose guards are often lost in the middle of scrums at the line of scrimmage, but Rutherford has stood out.
“He’s a handful,” Perry said. “When I played, I would rather see a (lineman as a) 300-pounder than a 200-pounder any day. A 200-pounder is hard to find for us big guys. He will create a lot of mismatches.”
The 5-foot-8, 220-pound Rutherford is motivated to prove he can hold his own against bigger offensive linemen. He notes that although he is new to nose guard, he feels his experience as a wrestler serves him well.
“Everyone tells me I’m too small,” he said. “(Assistant coach Jon Gold) says I’m low enough and fast enough to get below offensive linemen and push through. I’m always low (in wrestling), so my back doesn’t hurt like other people when I’m down low.”
In contrast, Rutherford’s spirits are high. He’s a vocal and animated sort.
“He’s so intense,” Perry said. “He is tough and hard-nosed with a big-time motor.”
“I’ve got to play with energy,” Rutherford said. “I’ve got to be mean. I’ve got to be always going and I yell and scream to get everyone else going.”
