Frank Woolley began his high school football career as an offensive lineman blocking for others.
Now, he's the one with the ball in his hands.
The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Ocean City junior has emerged as one of the Cape-Atlantic League's top running backs this season.
Woolley has rushed 147 times for 653 yards and six touchdowns. He scored twice as the Red Raiders (1-5) won their first game of the season last Friday with a 20-14 come-from-behind win over Vineland.
Ocean City quarterback Joey Keyes scored the winning touchdown on a sneak with 10 seconds left.
Woolley switched to running back as a sophomore after having played guard as a freshman.
Woolley lives in the Tuckahoe section of Upper Township.
In a telephone interview Wednesday night, Woolley spoke about a number of topics, including that first victory and what he likes about playing running back.
On Ocean City's first win: It was awesome. It was a team effort. It felt good going to school (on Monday). Everybody said, "Nice job, nice job."
On his switch from the offensive line to running back: I came out my sophomore year and said, "I'm a little too small to be up front." I think I was 5-6 and about 135 pounds as a sophomore.
I had good form (as a blocker), but a lot of kids would just out-muscle me. I was like, "I want to be a running back." I always had speed under my belt. They put me at running back on the (junior varsity), and I just tore it up.
On his running style: I love playing running back. Our offense revolves around the running back. I'm a downhill, aggressive runner. I do a spin move sometimes, but mostly I run into you and try not to let you tackle me.
On Ocean City's slow start: I never doubted myself. Even if we were down 40 points, I thought we could still win the game. But it was rough. We had a lot of injuries.
On his favorite pro football team: I'm a die-hard (Pittsburgh) Steelers fan, but I'm starting to edge toward the (Cleveland) Browns. My idol is (running back) Trent Richardson (on the Browns). I liked him since he was at Alabama.
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