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CJ's Payne propels team to regional final

Converted nose guard has rushed for 354 yards in Eagles’ two playoff wins.

E.L. Hubbard Brandon Payne had 995 yards and nine touchdowns rushing in the regular season.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 12:59 AM Saturday, November 19, 2011

DAYTON — Late last month, Chaminade Julienne High School held a Halloween costume competition with gift cards at stake.

Brandon Payne came to school with a CJ shirt, tighter pants, a hat and a whistle. A good part of his costume was natural.

“I had some teachers say, ‘I thought I saw you, but it was Brandon Payne,’ ” said CJ football coach Marcus Colvin.

Payne won an award for his portrayal of Colvin, underlining the personality he brings to the team outside of football.

“I just had to be a little more serious for that day,” Payne said.

The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior running back/nose guard has made an even more important transformation for the Eagles this season. Learning more running back skills to take advantage of his significant strength, Payne has rushed for 1,349 yards and 12 touchdowns to help fifth-seeded CJ (9-3) reach tonight’s Division IV, Region 16 final against third-seeded Clinton-Massie (10-2) at Mason High School.

After combining to rush 15 times for 13 yards in the Eagles’ first two games, both shutout losses, Payne has gained 138 and 216 yards in the two playoff wins against Williamsport Westfall and Waynesville, grinding CJ’s way into its first regional final since 2004.

That’s all part of the plan.

Payne does less nose guard duty so he can be fresh for the fourth quarter, when CJ hopes it has a lead and can close out the game. Against Waynesville last week, many of his 216 yards on 24 carries came later in the game as the Eagles protected a lead that became a 30-17 victory.

“He’s just a consistent runner,” Colvin said. “We do a heck of a job blocking for him, and we have good fullbacks in front of him, and he can make those big runs to move the chains for us.”

Payne came to CJ with a talented class that also includes linebacker Darrien Howard, named this week the Southwest District Division IV Defense Player of the Year, and linebacker Ja’mel Sanders. He has become the Eagles’ “Mr. Iron Man,” with the team weight-room bests in many categories, including a 350-pound bench press and 500-plus-pound squat.

“I had to change to do more things this year, because you’re not playing with little kids any more,” Payne said. “I’m lowering my shoulders, working on my vision, trying to help my team when they need me.”

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-7389 or knagel @DaytonDailyNews.com.