John Fuhrer recently gave away one of his prized possessions -- the game ball he received after leading Keystone Oaks to a 48-42 triple-overtime victory over Knoch in Week 4 of the 2005 season.

Furher, a sophomore at the time, set three school records that night by rushing 51 times for 282 yards and five touchdowns. His total of 51 rushing attempts came within three of the state record.

"I dedicated that game to coach [Nick] Kamberis' father, Spiro, who was battling cancer at the time," said Fuhrer. "He was like a third grandfather to me. I talked to him before each game and he gave me a goal to reach for each game."

Spiro Kamberis died on Aug. 6 after a three-year battle with cancer.

"The way he handled his battle with cancer was such an inspiration," said Fuhrer, who wanted to do something for the Kamberis family. "I gave my game ball from the Knoch game to coach and asked to have it placed in Spiro's casket. I dedicated the game to him, so I felt he should have the ball."

Coach Kamberis was touched by the gesture.

"Not many 17-year-old kids would do that," said Kamberis. "That ball meant a lot to him, but his friendship with my father meant even more. He's a special kid."

Fuhrer, a 5-foot-6, 190-pound senior, has been a fixture in the Keystone Oaks backfield since his freshman year, when he rushed for 327 yards. As a sophomore, he gained 1,118 yards on 215 carries and rushed for 12 touchdowns.

"I call him 'Superman in Cleats,'" said Kamberis. "He's not very big, but he's put together great for his height. He seems to get better the more he carries the ball."

Fuhrer earned his moniker last season by carrying the ball 311 times in 10 games, which averages to more than 31 rushing attempts per game. He's the only player in the WPIAL over the past three seasons to reach 300 carries. The closest to Fuhrer last season was Pine-Richland's Vince Veltre, who carried the ball 258 times, but had the advantage of playing 12 games.

"I don't really pay attention to how many times I'm carrying the ball, but it did surprise me to see that I was so far ahead of the next highest ball carrier," said Fuhrer. "I just have to keep working hard."

Fuhrer accumulated 1,858 yards and rushed for 14 touchdowns last season. That gives him 3,303 yards and a chance to join Pennsylvania's 4,000-yard rushing club.

A list compiled by Pennsylvania Football News has 132 players as members of the 4,000-yard rushing club. Thirty two are from the WPIAL. Fuhrer would like to become No. 33.

"It would be a great honor to reach the 4,000-yard plateau," said Fuhrer. "It's a goal that I've talked about with coach and his father."

If Fuhrer matches last year's average of 185.8 yards per game, he would reach the 4,000 yard mark in Week 5 against Thomas Jefferson, at Dormont Stadium.

"Take a look at the WPIAL's list of 4,000-yard rushers and most of them were competing in Class AA and A," said Kamberis, referring to the fact that only 9 of the 32 competed in Class AAA or AAAA.

Fuhrer can bench-press 345 pounds, but doesn't do much lifting during the season.

"I teach athletic enhancement at the high school and he's one of the most advanced athletes I have," said Kamberis. "He's a mini-bodybuilder, but we try to work on his quickness, balance, and agility."

Fuhrer didn't play defense last year, but will be playing strong safety this year.

"We didn't need him last year," said Kamberis. "We do need him on defense this year. He will also be returning punts and kickoffs. He may not leave the field."