Evanston’s Collin Olla-Chatman is quickly gaining a reputation for doing the one thing he’s best known for preventing.
The Wildkits’ starting nose guard, Olla-Chatman, doubled as a power-rusher in the team’s backfield to recently plow his way to a pair of short-yardage touchdowns.
“They were the same play,” the 6-foot, 240-pound senior told the Chicago-Tribune of the 1-yard scores. “I just lowered my shoulder and tried to break the plane. I kept my legs moving and crossed into the end zone. We have a great offensive line, and they did their job blocking.”
Having the ball in his hands isn’t exactly new for Olla-Chatman. While on the sophomore team, he played slot receiver, running back and fullback.
“I wasn’t really thinking about it,” Olla-Chatman said of being handed the ball. “But when coach Buzz (Mike Burzawa) called my name, I was very excited. It’s a lineman’s dream to run the ball.”
For Burzawa, it was all about just trying to get the Wildkits (4-2, 0-2 Central Suburban South) over the hump.
“He’s a two-year starting (defensive) tackle, he’s a physical football player and he has a lot of heart,” Burzawa said. “We made a few adjustments and Collin did a nice job punching it in on short yardage.”
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