If you never knew, you'd never know.
That's the case when you watch Central Bucks East senior Mike Price run with the football.
He still barrels over defenders; runs around them; and, when he gets in the open field, those same defenders can't catch him.
This from a player whose junior season was cut short by a knee injury in Week 4.
"I don't even really think about it," Price said. "I hated to miss over half of last season and not be able to help my team, but things happen.
"I knew then that I would just have to work hard to be able to come back for my senior year and that's what I tried to do."
He's doing it quite well.
Through five games, in which the Patriots are 3-2, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Price has rushed for 721 yards (averaging over 8 yards per
carry) and 10 touchdowns.
"He really hasn't missed a beat," CB East head coach John Donnelly said. "You never know what can happen after an injury, but Mike worked hard to get back and has looked great.
"He does so much for the team and has been such a big part of the program for years (that) you just have to feel good for him."
Two years ago, Price burst on the scene by rushing for 1,259 yards and 13 rushing scores (averaging nearly 7 yards a carry), and was named first-team Suburban One League National Conference at running back, an impressive accomplishment for anyone, let alone a sophomore.
And last year, he was off to another great start, 450 rushing yards, six touchdowns, in just four games before getting hurt late in the first quarter against CB South. The Patriots host South on Friday night (7).
Fortunately, Price, despite some ligament damage, didn't need surgery after the injury and does not have to wear a brace when he plays.
"I'm able to just go out and play and that's a great feeling," Price said.
Last week, in a 26-7 loss to unbeaten Pennridge, Price was held to 96 yards, the first time he hasn't gone over 100 rushing yards all season.
"We knew we had to key on him," Pennridge head coach Kyle Beller said. "He's such a good player and is really tough to bring down.
"He and (Rylei) Gray (North Penn) are probably the best running backs in the (SOL National) conference and they can really hurt you."
Kutztown, led by former Delaware Valley University head coach Jim Clements, who has turned the Golden Bears into a perennial national championship contender in Division II, has already reached out to Price. Numerous others are likely to follow.
"Wherever Mike goes, they'll be getting a steal," Donnelly said. "He's a very good student, a very good football player and a team leader. He's going to do really well wherever he ends up. He brings so much to a team on and off the field, and I know we're going to miss him.
"I've been fortunate to be able to coach him."
Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: CB East's Price back and running in a big way after injury | Exclusive
