Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jack Barnwell All-American back Randall Eldridge working out during Chabot's off-season.

The half back position is not one many can play; it takes a uniquely blended gift of balance, strength, speed, agility, and grit that separates the good from the great.

The same can be said of any other position, in any other sport currently played. But the bottom line is all the same, the end factor that separates the greats, from the greatest, is the numbers.

Among the good backs, and the great backs in the Northern California Football Association division, The Chabot College Gladiators' Randall Eldridge stood out as the great running back.

Ranked the number one running back in the Nor-Cal division, Eldridge also finished first in yards with 1,277, in yards per game with 127.7, and finished second in carries with 229.

Though he netted 1,277 yards, which would place him second among Chabot's all-time single season rushing leaders, he gained 1,316 which gives him 10 yards more than the previous record.

Ironically enough, 10 is the number on his Gladiator uniform.

Born in Trenton New Jersey, Randall Fabian Eldridge moved to Seattle Wash. at age 9 and grew up there. When asked what it was like in Seattle he replied, "Rainy, cold, wet. Good people though."

Explaining how he has been playing football for the past 11 years, he mentioned that what got him into the game was "The contact, physicality, the hitting. I've loved running with the ball since day one though."

Eldridge also began playing football at age 9 in the recreational and peewee leagues in Washington, where he also played high school football at Lynwood High.

He says that Jerry Rice was the one who inspired him to play football because "He's so graceful on the field, he's like watching water."

Eldridge aspires to play in the NFL one day. However, if that doesn't work out he says he'd like to follow the dream of becoming an Ultimate Fighting Chmpionship competitor and says some of his friends from home have already started a league.

Eldridge also mentioned that Barry Sanders and Bo Jackson are his favorite backs, though he likens his own game to that of Eric Dickerson.

Continued...

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