SLIPPERY ROCK — For two seasons, Kaleb Kamerer was searching for a role in the Slippery Rock High offense.

A talented running back, Kamerer never seemed to get going for the Rockets. In a way, his experience was a microcosm for the Slippery Rock football team — feeling his way through two uncertain seasons.

Good, but not quite good enough.

All that has changed in 2018 after a pair of bittersweet 4-7 seasons.

Kamerer has a defined role: featured back for an offense that is clicking for the 3-0 Rockets.

“It was a little bit frustrating because all you want to do is win,” Kamerer said. “The work has paid off. I'm more happy about the wins. I hope we can show the district that we're a team to be worried about.”

Kamerer has definitely been a running back teams have to be worried about so far this season.

In three games, Kamerer has already rushed for more yards than he did all of last season.

He has rolled up 341 yards on just 39 carries with six touchdowns.

Kamerer, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior, spent the summer working on his strength and speed.

There's never been a doubt about his work ethic.

“So many people — not just in athletics, but in life — want to do just what is required,” said Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz. “When you have someone who does what is required and then does extra, that's special. When you say practice is over at 5 o'clock, but Kaleb asks if he can stay and do extra sprints or stay and field punts, the other guys notice that. He puts in that extra effort.”

Kamerer was quick to point out that it isn't just him putting in the extra work.

“That's the thing most people don't know — most of our team does that,” Kamerer said.

Kamerer also puts in extra time studying the opponent.

A safety on defense, Kamerer often directs the secondary on where to play and what to look for before the snap.

“When we hand out the scouting reports, he digests it,” Wendereusz said.

Kamerer wants to keep gobbling up yardage and touchdowns.

“It's exciting because our offense is reaching its full potential,” Kamerer said. “We can finally be on full blast.”

Kamerer wants to play in college and has been receiving looks from multiple Division II schools.

Some want him as a running back. Others want him as a defensive back.

To Kamerer, it doesn't matter. His goal has always been to play college football.

His goal now is to be the best runner he can be. He's finally gotten a taste of consistent carries.

“The last two years, I've kind of focused on defense because I didn't really get the ball much,” Kamerer said. “Now that I'm getting more involved offensively, personally, I love running the ball. I love making people miss.”

But there's something to be said about defense, too, Kamerer said.

“It's always going to be fun to hit people,” he said.