By JOHN D’ABRUZZO

jd’abruzzo@ncnewsonline.com

The transition hasn’t been easy for Codey Hunter.

A receiver ever since he started playing football, the Ellwood City Lincoln High junior was moved to the backfield this season.

“Being a running back, you have to know what the whole team is doing,” Hunter said. “When you’re a receiver, you just run routes and you’re done.

“As a running back, you have to know who’s blocking for you and find which holes to hit.”

Hunter is a transfer from the powerful Ursuline High program in Youngstown. He moved into the Ellwood City school district with his mother, Donna Hunter, in January.

The 5-foot-6, 150-pound Hunter had his breakout game on Friday night. He amassed 342 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns in the Wolverines’ 41-40 loss to New Brighton in a WPIAL Class AA Midwestern Conference game.

“People see someone 5-6 who’s a running back and don’t think much of them,” Hunter said. “I think I run pretty hard. My speed helps me.”

Hunter rushed for 208 yards on 21 carries and caught three passes for 134 yards. He also had an interception on defense.

“We ran a lot of counter traps and the holes were there every time,” Hunter said. “The line did a real good job.”

For his performance, Hunter is Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week, as selected by The New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

Hunter had touchdown runs of 1 and 36 yards and scored on passes covering 52, 59 and 23 yards from quarterback Joe Galmarini.

“We knew Codey was capable of that; we just didn’t know how fast it would come,” Ellwood City coach Don Phillips said. “We knew he had speed and a lot of quickness. He just has to learn how to utilize that behind the line.”

Hunter has gained 265 yards on 42 carries for an average of 6.3 yards per carry. Prior to the New Brighton game, his best games were against Montour and Beaver Falls — 32 yards in each contest.

“Codey’s a wonderful kid,” Phillips said. “He wants to learn and he wants to get better.

“This is all new to him. Not only is he knew to Ellwood City football, but he played as a receiver when he was in Ohio last year. We made him a running back because we feel that’s where his strengths lie. Codey’s now at a point where he understands that and it showed Friday night.”

Hunter’s wide receiver skills have also paid off for the Wolverines. Through eight games, he ranks fifth in the county 10 receptions for 228 yards.

“He’s worked hard,” Phillips said. “He pretty much only played JV last year. Not only is he trying to learn (a new position), but he’s trying to learn a whole new system and terminology.

“He has progressed greatly over the course of the season. He had some setbacks because of an ankle injury. But we’re at a point now where he’s starting to put that behind him.”

The winless Wolverines (0-7 MAC, 0-8 overall) are on a 23-game losing streak and face backyard-rival Riverside (2-5, 2-6) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Helling Stadium in Ewing Park.

“All we want is a win,” Hunter said. “This is our biggest rivalry. It would be huge for all of us and the program going into next season to get this win.”

POSITION: Running back/defensive back

YEAR: Junior

PARENTS: Donna Hunter

FAVORITE TEAM: Atlanta Falcons

FAVORITE PLAYER: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. “He’s about the same size as me and shows that people my size can play in the NFL.”

BESIDES FOOTBALL: Hunter plans to complete as a sprinter on the Wolverines’ boys track and field team in the spring.