Branford’s Dakota Hamm makes plays at running back and linebacker for the Buccaneers. 

BRANFORD — There is no rest for the weary — or the very good at a small school.

Branford standout Dakota Hamm typically plays the whole game at linebacker on defense and running back on offense.

BHS coach Tim Clark and Hamm consider the senior a “natural,” when it comes to his linebacker playing style; the position where he has garnered college interest.

“He visited Stetson and has had other schools invite him for visits or games,” Clark said.

“It went pretty good,” Hamm said of his visit to Stetson, and considers his value to the team as a leader. He switches up with fellow linebacker Junior Cress as a defensive play caller.

Interlachen at Branford

7:30 p.m.

Series: Interlachen leads 5-1.

Last Meeting: The Rams won 28-14 at Buccaneer Stadium in 2006.

Notes: The Buccaneers return home searching for their first winning streak of the season. After alternating wins and losses through the first six games, Branford snapped a two-game losing skid last week by routing Franklin County. Interlachen, meanwhile, has lost 2 straight after a 28-20 win against Bell to end September was the Rams’ fourth straight win. Interlachen is balanced offensively, averaging 129.1 yards passing per game and 122.3 yards rushing per game. Kaleb Wiggins is 41-79 passing for 931 yards with 7 TDs to 1 INT. Has also rushed for 261 yards and 3 TDs, one of three Rams to rush for at least 250 yards, led by D.J. Polite’s 321 on just 32 carries. Gary Armstrong has added 255 yards and 3 touchdowns for Interlachen’s ground attack. Thomas Mack (17 catches for 350 yards and 6 touchdowns) and Reginald Allen Jr. (11 receptions for 214 yards and 5 TDs) are the Rams’ top weapons through the air. Christian Marshall and Trevor Davis are Interlachen’s top tacklers with more than 40 each. Branford has experienced more success throwing the ball this season with Seth Heiderman having thrown for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns. Colton Leibold is the Bucs’ most explosive playmaker with nine touchdowns and 673 yards on 32 receptions. Leibold also produces plays on special teams. Clay Williams and Junior Cress are Heiderman’s other top targets. Dakota Hamm rushed for 126 yards last week, pushing his season total to 473 yards and five touchdowns. Three other Bucs have rushed for at least 100 yards this season — Bodhi White (212, 2 TDs), Markell Pugh (152, 1 TD) and Leibold (130, 2 TDs). Williams also has three of the Bucs’ eight interceptions while Cress leads Branford’s balanced defensive effort with 25 tackles. Pugh, Ethan Melvin and Brock Lewis all have more than 20 as well, while Chris Davila leads with two sacks and four tackles for loss.

“He’s an experienced player who knows the defense,” Clark said. “When Junior goes outside and Hamm plays inside he’s making the calls. Getting people lined up, and he calls out the strengths of the formations (of the offense). This week Junior will be inside and Hamm will be outside, but he still has to identify players and make a lot of calls. We expect him to be vocal out there and know the defense. He’s got to bring the energy and set the standard on how we play defense with his level of aggressiveness.”
Hamm said he’s better on defense.

“I like my tackling, I think that everything I do on defense is better than anything I do on offense,” he said. “Defense comes more naturally to me.”

Hamm also characterized his style on defense as a parallel to Bill Nye, the TV science guy.

Nye was a scientist and comedian, whose show, which ran from 1993 to 1998, was about various aspects of science.

“He considers himself a smart football player, or at least he tries to be,” Clark explained, adding that Hamm has played every position on the field expect line. “So he tries to use his knowledge of the game and experience at multiple positions to play smart.”

Clark also points out that Hamm is fast as a linebacker.

“I would say his lateral quickness for his size is his strength, other than being able to tackle well,” Clark added. “He can cover sideline to sideline pretty well. He’s a run stopper who pursues the football pretty well.”

For the comedic side of Hamm, Clark considers him a fun teammate.

“He likes to joke around and have fun but when it’s time to work we know we can count on him,” Clark said.

Last year Hamm ran for 546 yards with four TDs and had 35 tackles and two sacks on defense, but he has been hampered by injuries this year.

“It’s limited his carries and what we can do with him offensively,” Clark said. “He’s missed parts of some games.

“At Maclay he rips a 70-yarder, but he sprained his ankle that game. He’s missed the equivalent of two or three games. It’s part of football.”

Hamm added: “I wanted to hit a thousand yards rushing this year. But that’s not going to happen.”

Hamm still leads the 4-4 Buccaneers, though, with 473 rushing yards on 57 carries with six touchdowns. That’s 8.3 yards a carry. On defense he has 10 total tackles.

“Situationally we use him when we’re wanting that tough yard, churn some clock, establish the run game, and when we can’t hit the perimeter,” Clark said. “We put the ball in his hands.”

And no matter what, Hamm – when healthy — is on the field.

“A school this size you want your studs on the field, obviously we’d like to get him some rest, but it’s tough to put one of your best players on the sideline as either linebacker or running back,” Clark said.