Coach Larry Childers has a favorite saying about his Midway junior tailback, Michael Campbell.

’If he’s even with you, he’s leaving you,’ Childers said.

Childers said that for good reason, noting he’s never seen the player tackled from behind in a game this season.

Sasakwa couldn’t catch Campbell either last Thursday night. He ran for a game-high 268 yards on 24 carries (11.2 yards per carry) and scored four touchdowns on runs of 20, 15, 40 and 70 yards. For his efforts, he receives the Phoenix Player of Week for the ninth week of the season.

On one of Campbell’s touchdowns, the Chargers were deep in their territory. He got the pitch from quarterback Stoney Rodriguez, ran to the left side of the field and broke a tackle to score in the 62-16 victory.

’If you’re even in a foot race, he’ll leave you standing there,’ Childers said. ’He’s got that extra gear he can go to. It’s a pleasure to watch him run. He’ll dip in, dip out and he’s gone.’

The 5-foot-10, 145-pounder has been timed at 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash in practice this season. He’s run as fast as 4.6 in the summer.

’I guess it comes naturally,’ Campbell said about his quickness and speed. I really don’t know how to describe my running style. I don’t think I’ve worked on it that much. I just had good blocking by the linemen and other key blocks in the game.’

Campbell got two blocks from Rodriguez on the 70-yard touchdown scamper.

’Once Michael got loose (on that play), it was off to the races,’ Childers said. ’He’s a good athlete who has worked hard.’

It also was Campbell’s favorite run of the game.

’I didn’t think the play was going anywhere, but Stoney came around to block and the whole offensive line shifted down,’ he said. ’I saw the hole pop open and I just took it.’

The season hasn’t been without tough times for Campbell. He missed two weeks after injuring his ankle against Porter. He returned to the lineup against Sasakwa.

’I wanted to play,’ he said. ’I kept asking coach to put a brace on it. He said he wanted me to stay out and rest and not hurt it any more. I’m glad the injury wasn’t any more serious.’

Campbell’s return didn’t come a moment too soon. The Chargers (5-4, 5-1) took a huge step toward nailing down second-place with Friday’s win and only a loss at home against Claremore Christian (5-3, 4-2) on Friday by 10 or more would drop them out of second should Sasakwa (7-2, 4-2) beat Bokoshe this week.