Moniteau's J.D. Dessicino (6) wraps up Karns City quarterback Anthony Kamenski last season. Dessicino had a breakout game against the Gremlins last season with 14 tackles and a sack. This season as a junior, Dessicino has been a star both at running back and on defense at safety and outside linebacker.

CHERRY TWP — J.D. Dessicino got an opportunity.

That's really all it took for the junior to show what he could do on the football field at Moniteau High School.

“It's been great, especially because it's my second year on varsity,” Dessicino said. “I've been working hard and putting points on the board for my boys.”

Dessicino got off to a slow start, as did the entire Moniteau football team, but has flourished lately.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has gained 273 yards the last two weeks and leads the team with 453 yards on 81 carries and four touchdowns.

Last year he had just 16 carries for 81 yards.

Dessicino possesses a unique blend of size and a bullish running style and speed.

“I'm thinking my best bet it to go through him,” Dessicino said when asked what his going through his mind when he bursts through a hole and sees a defender breaking down to try to tackle him. “I've been working on running around him, too.”

It's working.

And Moniteau coach Bob Rottman couldn't be more pleased about Dessicino's emergence as a go-to back for the Warriors, who are getting healthy.

And getting scary.

“We had Cody (Wise) and Trent (Kelly) and (Mason Mershimer) last year. Dessicino earned that role in camp.

“He's a physical running back, but he does have some speed,” Rottman added. “He can make a cut and go. He's been huge for us.”

As good as Dessicino has been in the backfield, he's been just as good on the defensive side of the ball.

He started the season at safety, but moved to outside linebacker because of injuries.

That's where he will stay because of his sideline-to-sideline pursuit and his ability to force turnovers.

Dessicino is averaging 10 tackles per game and also has four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

“I think the only ceiling on him is the one he puts on himself,” Rottman said. “I expect him to finish the year very strong.”

So does Dessicino, who has shown he can play whatever position is asked of him.

“It's tons of fun playing defense,” Dessicino said. “I've been running around and hitting kids all over the football field at linebacker since I was little. I'd say I feel more comfortable at linebacker.”

Dessicino showed flashes of the player he has become on defense last season.

In a wild win against Karns City, Dessicino racked up 14 tackles and a sack against the Gremlins.

“That was the game that after I knew I belonged and that I could play at this level,” he said. “That was really exciting.”