AMHERST — The sound of a JJ Block block pierces the din of a football stadium. A sharp, hollow thud ushers defenders out of a running back’s path. In the open field, tacklers sometimes back up to avoid the brunt of Block. There’s nowhere to hide on the goal line.
“You’re always hearing some pops on the goal line because he’s running through somebody,” Amherst coach Chris Ehorn Jr. said.
Block is unique among Amherst’s core of backs because he would rather block than carry the ball. It’s not that he can’t run it. Block has scored three touchdowns on seven carries in 2019 and averages 15 yards per carry. He tore his ACL as a freshman and would rather avoid putting the stress on his knee that cutting produces.
“I do like to run the ball, but I’m a little scared because of what could happen,” Block said.
He needs to stay healthy enough to contribute at outside linebacker and pave the way for Amherst running backs Josh Vecchio, Pierre Tillus and his twin brother, Dan Block.
“I feel safe. I know nobody’s going to have a free shot at me,” Dan Block said. “I’m OK. It’s nice knowing my brother’s got my back.”
Despite his stature – listed at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds – JJ Block delivers hits as hard as anyone on the team. He achieves results through his physicality and understanding of leverage.
“He understands if I’m lower than this person and I come up at this angle and at this time they fall down. And he just does it perfectly,” Ehorn said. “I don’t know if it’s through his head he’s understanding leverage or it just comes naturally.”
Amherst puts a pancake sticker on its players’ helmets for blocks that knock an opponent down. Block sometimes gets frustrated when he doesn’t drop his opponent to the ground.
“I tell him ‘it’s OK if they don’t fall on their back,’” Ehorn said. “It works.”
Because of his propensity for pancakes, the Hurricanes offensive line has adopted Block as an honorary member.
“He sets such a great example of what going hard every single play is,” Amherst senior lineman Cenai Collins said. “Playing with him is almost like another O-lineman, it’s a lot of fun.”
Block forces opposing defenses to account for him on every play the same way a dynamic receiver or halfback does. Sometimes the middle linebacker has to make a business decision in the hole.
“They don’t want to end up on his highlight tape,” Amherst senior lineman Jack Nagy said.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.