Anderson Lauffer is a Swiss Army Knife on the football field.
He can play anywhere on the field at any time and will make a play.
Over the last four seasons, Lauffer has seen time at receiver, running back, quarterback, kick returner, punt returner and defensive back.
Lauffer has excelled at all of those positions.
On top of that, he’s a playmaker.
He can rip off the big play and is a threat to score the football any time he touches the ball.
“Well growing up, I always played running back a lot you know,” Laffers said. “I mean when I got to middle school to high school I switched over to receiver, and I mean it kind of opened up but I am open to play all things.”
Last season as a junior, he saw more time at receiver. He led the team with 57 catches for 1,025 yards receiving and 14 TDs. Even though being Paintsville’s primary receiver, Lauffer was the Tigers second leading rusher as well with 33 carries for 201 yards rushing, and two TDs.
In the return game, he had two punt returns and one kick return for a TD last season.
On the defensive side, Lauffer had five interceptions with one returned for a TD.
“Last year I think we struggled sometimes at spots and I think this year we have put people in different spots, and I think it has kind of strengthened our defense,” Lauffer said. “Also it has built it together, also I think we can rely on each other defensively, and it is obviously going to be strong.”
Lauffer will be a senior leader for the Tigers this season.
“Senior year coming up,” Lauffer said. “I mean it’s been a long three years, and I have kind of been looking forward to the season, you know, just to try and get the program back where it should be.
“Coach Melvin, he preaches leading by example and just trying to bring the young guys along. I mean when I was a freshman we had a lot of seniors that brought me along, and taught me a lot, and that’s what I kind of wanna pass to the younger guys to get them up to the standard.”
Lauffer probably defined his role a little more last season as he will be the Tigers’ primary receiver, but look for him to line up all over the field.
He will still be Coach Brian Melvin’s Swiss Army Knife.
“I feel like last year we had to rely on me, and Colton a lot, and that kind of can hurt teams, because they can key in on that defensively. This year I feel like we can have different aspects, like this year we are going to have a much better run game, and that is going to open up the pass game a lot more. So we don’t have to just rely heavily on the pass game.”
Lauffer talked about some of his goals for the season.
“Obviously, I want to win the district this year and just try to compete to win the district, and make a deep playoff run,” Lauffer said. “I wanna try to be the best leader possible I can for the young guys, and just help build this program further.”
Paintsville is scheduled to open the season this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Floyd Central.