Sudbury Spartans player Dan Leduc has mastered the skill of
adapting.
When the curtain lifted on the 2006 season, Leduc was pencilled
in as one of the main wide receivers, since it was his natural
position.
Just one game into the year, it all changed.
One of the Spartans main running backs, Eric Paquette,
separated his shoulder and was done for the season.
Head coach Chris Bartolucci was put into a bind, and looked to
Leduc to fill the void because he was such a savvy player.
Leduc didn't just make the adjustment to the new position; he
excelled in the new role.
Leduc finished the 2006 campaign with 472 yards on 80 carries,
good for fifth overall in the Northern Football Conference
(NFC). He also scored three touchdowns and finished tied for
fourth overall in league scoring with 42 points.
His stunning rise to the to top ranks of NFC running backs
earned Leduc high praise. At the end of the season, he was
voted onto the First All-Star squad as running back and also
made the Second Team All-Star team for punt return. What makes
it truly remarkable is that Leduc isn't the biggest man out
there, standing just five-foot-eleven and tipping the scales at
a trim 160-pounds.
It was all in a day's work for Leduc to make the switch and
then literally run with it.
"It really opened my eyes," said the former Notre Dame College
graduate about the new position. "I wasn't used to that kind of
a pounding. It was a fun change and a learning experience. I
just wasn't used to all the constant contact and hitting. As a
wide receiver, you are usually lined up one-on-one, in the
open, with a defender...not trying to run through an entire
defence. There's a lot of big guys in the league and I have met
them up close and personal...sometimes it wasn't very nice. It
was a shock to my system."
Leduc is blessed with tremendous assets.
"His speed stands out...I don't think there's anyone faster in
the league," said Bartolucci. "I am not being biased. He has a
great set of wheels and hands. He has the keen ability to read
defences. He's also all heart. He was a little light to be a
running back, but his speed made up for his lack of size. He
was like a mouse - he got through small holes and then he was
just gone. Pulling in the good numbers he did, out of position,
says a lot about his true ability."
Leduc credits his efficient offensive line for allowing to make
the most of the situation.
"I had a great offensive line all season," said the
30-year-old. "The other running back, Stephen Gravel (also an
All-Star) helped me a lot too. They did all the blocking for
me. To be brutally honest, I was just looking for holes so I
could get the hell out of trouble. I was just trying to run
away from the opposing team...and it seemed to work out
well."
The transition didn't come without any bumps.
"Learning the position was tough because I was thrown into it,"
said Leduc. "Having the patience as a runner, to allow the play
to open up, was difficult too. I enjoyed the experience. I did
what I had to do. My preference is to play wide receiver. I
really gained a lot of different experience though."
Leduc can't wait for the All-Star game, which goes Sept. 9 at
Queen's Athletic Field.
"I had the time of my life playing last year...It's great and I
thank everyone who voted me in."
Leduc will be competing in the NFC All-Star Game, which takes
place at Queen's Athletic Field on Saturday, Sept. 9.
