Mason Fischer earns Lakewood Ranch’s starting running back job after Jay Turner’s summer transfer

Jay Turner’s summer transfer to Sarasota Riverview meant there was suddenly a void in Lakewood Ranch’s backfield.

The Mustangs’ running game, which struggled during a two-win campaign last fall, saw Turner, healthy following an injury-riddled 2016 season.

His departure for Riverview didn’t dent Lakewood Ranch’s backfield plans, though.

Instead, the Mustangs found their starting tailback during a summer camp trip to Western Carolina.

In late July, senior Mason Fischer impressed assistant coach Aaron Reese, who is in his first season as the team’s running backs and quarterbacks coach, despite Fischer’s 5-foot-6, 160-pound frame.

“We did some power drill stuff, where it was just running in between the guards,” Reese said. “And he wasn’t afraid to stick his nose in there. Looking at him, you wouldn’t think that. You’d think he wants to get outside, and just get away. But he doesn’t shy away from it, so that’s definitely something we needed.”

Fischer ran for 200 yards against the Rams during freshman ball in 2014. It was an experience that Fischer said he can draw from as he heads into his senior season as the Mustangs’ starting tailback.

Fischer, though, isn’t the lone option in the running game.

The Mustangs are going to give the ball to other players, head coach Mick Koczersut said.

And part of that reason is due to having injuries limit the backfield choices in 2016.

“We’re probably going to work another two or three kids back there, because Mason can’t handle 30 carries a night,” Koczersut said.

Turner gets to see his old teammates this Friday when the Rams visit the Mustangs in the Kickoff Classic, which will also see Lakewood Ranch’s committee-styled backfield take its first steps into the 2017 football season.

The starter among that committee is Fischer, who is following his older brother, Justin, as a Mustangs running back.

Fischer has three other older siblings that played for either Braden River or Lakewood Ranch’s football programs.

Having those older siblings only sharpened Mason’s toughness, a skill that Reese noticed quickly.

“If you were in a foxhole with somebody, you’d want him to be in there with you,” Reese said. “He’s just tough like that.”

But to get anywhere in the running game, so the offense isn’t one-dimensional, the Mustangs are no different than any other football team: They must win the line of scrimmage.

Last year’s offensive line possessed Sam Jackson, who has a chance to start for the University of Central Florida as a true freshman this college football season.

This year’s group returns a few, including junior right tackle John Riley.

“Our run game is our most important thing to us,” Riley said. “We try to be the hardest working group. ... Without an O-line, you don’t have an offense at all.”

In any case, Fischer is ready for his new running back role.

“I did it freshman year, so I kind of have an observation of what I am doing,” Fischer said. “And my brother played it, so he kind of taught me the plays and everything.”

This story was originally published August 14, 2017 at 8:52 PM with the headline "Mason Fischer earns Lakewood Ranch’s starting running back job after Jay Turner’s summer transfer."