Jaime Bledsoe rushed for 87 yards and scored a late insurance touchdown during Colfax's 22-7 victory over Warden last week to advance to tonight's Washington Class 2B Quarterfinals.
But Bledsoe's role on the team extends beyond the field: He's charged with keeping the Bulldogs loose.
He's listed as a running back on the Colfax roster, but serves dual duty as the team's unofficial jester.
"It's the stuff you need this time of year," Bulldogs coach Mike Morgan said. "You need a little (levity) to keep the kids loose, and let them know it's still just a game, still just guys getting out together on the field and having fun."
During warmups, Bledsoe, a transfer from Pullman High, will do voice impersonations - Morgan has yet to hear him do a Mike Morgan - and even coaches will be caught laughing, Morgan said.
"It's all in good taste," Morgan added.
"I'll tell you what, Jaime Bledsoe, he's just a great young man," Morgan said. "We're so fortunate to get him here in our program this year. He's a hard worker and one of the neatest things about Jaime is that he's so well-liked and respected by the rest of the guys on our team.
"When it also comes to work, though, he's one of those guys that just works his tail off. I can't say enough good things about him."
