YARMOUTH – Anders Overhaug is making up for lost time.
After sitting out last season, Overhaug has become a key offensive component for the unbeaten Yarmouth football team.
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The Clippers (10-0) will make their second consecutive appearance in the Western Class C final Saturday with a home game against Lisbon (9-1).
“Having him back is great,” Yarmouth running back Nate Pingitore said “He’s a great asset to our team. He brings a lot to our offense. Speed. Power. Quickness. It’s really helped us to have him the entire year.”
“He’s an exemplary leader,” Yarmouth Coach Jim Hartman said. “He just keeps his mouth shut and he’s a hard worker, and a great ball carrier. We’re so excited at having him back out.”
Overhaug, who has scored a team-high 17 touchdowns and rushed for more than 100 yards in four games, adds another dimension to the Clippers’ running game.
“You shut down part of our offense, we can go to him,” Pingitore said. “We have many different weapons, and he’s a major weapon.”
“He’s very strong and he’s very fast, but he’s also shifty,” Hartman said. “Anders can give you a little shoulder or a little hip movement and you miss him. You can’t teach that. We’re just really lucky he’s back out here.”
“Sometimes I juke and sometimes I lower my shoulder,” Overhaug said. “It just happens, instinctively, I guess.”
Despite his natural running ability, Overhaug gave up football following his freshman season.
“Freshman year I was really beat up and I had to take a year off,” he said.
But Overhaug didn’t remain idle.
Last fall he manned an oar while sitting in the third seat in one of the four-man racing shells for the Yarmouth crew. He competed in regattas in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
“It was a lot of fun,” Overhaug said. “It was a lot different than football. It was more relaxed, less regimented.”
Rowing also helped alleviate Overhaug’s physical ailments.
“I had hamstring problems and lower back problems from football, and rowing helped them out,” he said.
After competing in the Alpine events for the Yarmouth ski team for the first time last winter, Overhaug, who also plays lacrosse, knew he wanted to return to football.
“A lot of my friends play football and I missed it,” he said. “It was nice to take a break but I definitely missed football.”
His teammates welcomed Overhaug back with open arms.
“I was very surprised when he didn’t play last year,” receiver Dennis Erving said. “We got through without him but we really needed him. “
Last fall, the Clippers advanced to the regional final in only their third varsity season.
“Maybe, in a way, it was good for him to take a break from football,” Pingitore said. “But if he played last year, it’s scary to think how good he would be.”
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com
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