The two-way player used to be a staple of every football team. Now, it's less of a choice and more of a necessity for smaller schools, but playing both ways is still worn as a badge of honor.

Rudder sophomore Charlie Bush starts at both tailback and free safety for the Rangers. If you ask him, he'll tell you they're practically the same position. In both, you have to hit the hole and remember your assignments. Another similarity between the two is the reason Bush puts on the uniform.

"I like the contact and the intensity of football," Bush said. "I kinda like both [positions]. Sometimes, I like hitting and sometimes I like getting hit. Sometimes, I just like running [people] over. I just like running, doesn't matter what play."

In two games this season, Bush has rushed 16 times for 60 yards and accounted for 27 percent of Rudder's total rushing yards.

Bush's play this season can be attributed to his effort before and after the games, according to Rudder head coach C.M. Pier.

"[Bush] had a real good game last week against Hearne, both on offense and defense," Pier said. "Charlie works hard and is growing into a good football player. He's not there yet, but he's getting closer."

Last season, Bush was playing against junior varsity squads as Rudder prepared for varsity play in 2008. The difference between the two levels has taken some getting used to for Bush and his teammates.

"The game is much faster this year," Bush said. "If you miss one assignment, the whole play can be blown up. That could mean six points the other way."

Bush has seen improvement in his team's play, even if the scoreboard might not bear that out. In last week's game against Hearne, the Rangers went into halftime trailing by just six points. To Bush, there has been an attitude adjustment.

"I've seen a change in the team," Bush said. "We're playing much harder now and we're not afraid anymore. We're not giving up."

The sophomore is already thinking about life after Rudder. Bush wants to attend the University of Oklahoma and play football there. That's bad news for Aggie fans, but if Bush becomes that kind of player, it will be very good news for the Rudder Rangers.