Being a leader means different things to different people.

Leadership means a lot to Northwood senior Tyler Mack, one of the top cornerbacks in northwest Ohio who, yes, does consider himself to be a leader.

“It means working hard at practice,” Mack said. “Leading by example is one of the main things I do. You can lead the team and good things can happen, and a lot of times when stuff goes wrong it can go on your shoulders. It's your job to fix it. When I get on the field, I want the other team to know we're the more physical team, and I want to give 100 percent.”

Northwood Senior back Tyler Mack(44) tries to elude Lake senior tight end Dylan Hirzel(9). (Press photo by Don Thompson/picasweb.google.com/donrachael)

Ken James, who has been the Rangers' head football coach for 26 years, knows a leader when he sees one. Mack may only be 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, but he's hard to miss – on the field and off.

“He's always been an excellent football player for us,” James said. “He's an even better person. He's a leader in our school and he's an excellent student (4.1 GPA). The kids all respect him, in school and otherwise. He's also heck of a wrestler and he's a good lead blocker, too.”

Mack, 17, a second-team All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference cornerback in 2010, has added offense to his repertoire this season. In addition to his 34 tackles and four interceptions through four games for Northwood (3-1, 1-0), Mack has 11 carries for 83 yards as a fullback.

“I like playing offense. It's fun,” Mack said. “It's a different aspect of the game. When you're blocking, you just have to stay low and keep your feet moving.”

Mack's specialty, however, is sticking to receivers like glue from his position as Northwood's wide side corner. He had one of the best games of his life last Friday night during the Rangers' homecoming game against Edon.

Mack, who was on Northwood's homecoming court, intercepted two passes and ran both back for touchdowns as the Rangers rolled to a 55-14 victory.

“The first one, I was getting sent on a blitz,” Mack recalled. “I realized something was up, so I started backing up and the quarterback threw it right to me.”

Mack ran that interception back 15 yards for a touchdown. He returned his second pick about 60 yards for a third-quarter score.

“We were up by a lot,” Mack said. “They tried throwing to a receiver I was covering and one of our safeties (senior Ricky Hartley) nearly tipped it. I was between our safety and the receiver and I went up and got the ball. I was real shocked. I didn't think I was going to return it, but I got a couple blockers in front of me and I only had to make one cut. Our D-line had good pressure on their quarterback and forced him to throw it.”

This season marks Mack's third year as a starter on defense. He is now a team captain.

“He's as good a football player as we ever get,” James said. “He's intelligent, coachable. For a kid who is 155 pounds, he's awfully strong and tough. He's always been a great tackler, and this year he's adding offensive prowess to his resume. He's not real big or scary looking, but he's a football player.”

If you've ever wondered why Mack wears No. 44 as a cornerback, there is a good story behind that one.

“We've had a tradition for several years where guys hand numbers down and give their number to an underclassman,” James said. “Number 44 is the (sacred) number in our program. If you get 44, that's one of those where if I don't think a kid is worthy of that one, he won't get it. Our guys are good about handing down that number.

“Ever since I've been here, every kid who's worn that number has been an all-league, all-district or all-state player. That tells you something about Tyler, I think. If you're going to wear that number, you have to be a tough dude.”

Running back Nate James, the coach's son, gave Mack No. 44 two years ago.

“Andy Dupuis is my neighbor and he said he was going to give it to Nate, and I would get it after that,” Mack said. “I kind of knew I was going to get it. I was honored, actually, because so many great players have had it. You have to work hard to keep up the reputation of No. 44, which is given to a good, tough player who is always going to give 100 percent.”

Mack was a 130-pound Ohio Wrestling League champion and a district qualifier last year, but he plans to compete at 155 this winter. He also works at Menard's department store about 15 hours a week, mostly on weekends.

“I like to be busy,” said Mack, who plans to study engineering at the University of Toledo.

James, for one, will be sad to see Mack graduate.

“He never complains,” James said. “He's just one tough kid, one of those seniors where if we have some problems, he's the one who handles them.”

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed