If you were to ask anyone familiar with the Western Alamance football program, "Who is the hardest worker on the team?" there is little doubt that many would respond with one name--Darrius Richmond.

At first glance, it may appear that Richmond (5'11", 195, 4.67, Sr.) is overshadowed by the Warrior?s other two explosive tailbacks: Josh Johnson and James Whitaker. However, that would be a gross misconception.

A player like Richmond leads by example. He loves to push himself to his maximum ability. Richmond knows that any future victory begins with strenuous training in the weight room.

"Darrius is a great asset to the team because of his leadership role," says quarterback Bo Jordan. "He is a team player and knows how to communicate with the players to make us feel like family."

"It feels really great to celebrate a victory with your teammates, and so I try to work as hard as possible so that I will be better than our opponents," says Richmond, who was also a North State all-conference selection in wrestling this past year.

Along with striving to greatly improve his blocking, Richmond also hopes to double the 465 rushing yards he gained last season. He is working to become a more focused player and to be able to react more swiftly to defensive shifts.

With another stellar season, it is certainly plausible that Richmond will be playing college football somewhere next year. However, he is not placing all of his college hopes in football. Richmond, who has a fondness for literature, plans to major in English, with the hopes of one day becoming a high school teacher.

Richmond may not be as well known as Johnson, Whitaker, or Jordan, but he is certainly a valuable part of the winning formula at Western Alamance. Odds are, by the end of the 2003 season many more people, including opposing coaches, will be much more familiar with the name Darrius Richmond.