NIAGARA FALLS — Anthony Braham has long pulled for the little guy. That’s why the Niagara Falls High School senior selected diminutive Nathan Gerbe when told he could meet the Sabre of his choice.

At 5-foot-5, Gerbe stands just a few inches above Braham, who has moved into the semifinal round of the High School Football Rudy Awards, named after the legendary Daniel Ruettiger who was made famous by the motion picture, “Rudy.”

But with Gerbe mired on the Sabres’ farm in Portland, Braham has decided he’s ready to shoot for the stars, or at least as tall as 6-foot-8 phenom Tyler Myers.

“I’m 18 and he’s 19,” Braham said. “He’s not even a year older and he’s that much taller than me.

“And he’s a monster out there.”

Although he hasn’t grown much after a lengthy battle with Crohn’s Disease, Braham’s stature sure has grown in the past few months. After being nominated by Wolverines football coach Don Bass for the national award, the school rallied behind the former football player who is currently awaiting a kidney transplant.

He’s been in the spotlight on local television news programs and admits more people recognize him in the halls at Western New York’s largest school than before.

But Bass said the limelight has done little to change Braham. In fact, he said the shy 18-year-old avoids it now more than ever.

“It’s something he’s not accustomed to and you can tell he’s out of his element,” Bass said. “But the kid is remarkable. He’s the most deserving person for this award. He’s a selfless kid who’s always looking to make you feel better.”

Votes are still being tallied for the semifinal round at www.highschoolrudyawards.com and Bass thinks Braham has a good chance of emerging from the round of 30 to the final three with a little help from his schoolmates. That’s why flyers will be put up around the school today, urging students to continue their push for Braham. The semifinal round closes on Jan. 30.

If Braham reaches the final round of three, he’s guaranteed to win a $5,000 academic scholarship. If he wins the grand prize, he’ll get $10,000 and a chance to meet Ruettiger in person.

Either way, Braham insists he’ll simply continue on with his post-high school preparations, a daunting task considering the recent passing of his mother. Braham has already decided he’ll attend Niagara County Community College in the fall with an eye on physical education or athletic training.

And while that extra money would help ease the transition to college life, Braham said he’s not counting on it.

“I try not to worry about it. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t,” he said. “I’m happy and I’ll be really happy if I win it. But if I don’t, that’s alright.”

Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.