NORTH TONAWANDA — Over the last two seasons, Steve Kijowski has emerged as a big-time two-way player for the North Tonawanda football team. After beginning his varsity career as a defensive-only player, “Kujo” has blossomed into a full-blown truck of a fullback. The “Jacks” on the front of his jersey might as well read “Mack truck.”

“It’s like trying to tackle a rhinocerous in a supermarket,” Lumberjacks coach Eric Jantzi said. “He’s a big, powerful kid.”

That power was earned through years of dedication in the weight room. “He’s lifted really hard for five years,” Jantzi said. “He probably hasn’t missed a day of practice or the weight room in five years.”

Seemingly every rep is another step toward the goal of capturing a sectional championship, and possibly more. “You win the season in the offseason with the weightlifting stuff,” Kijowski said. “You’ve got to maintain your shape all throughout the offseason so you’ll have a good run.”

Kijowski certainly has been a big part of NT’s run this fall. He’s earned a lot of tough yards by plowing straight through the middle of opposing defenses. On the other side of the ball, Kijowski has turned in several double-digit tackle performances, including the 14 he registered in a 28-0 win over Lockport in Week Four. He also rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in that game.

He’s a rare two-way player on a team with the numbers to play many guys on one side of the ball.

“He’s been stout all season,” Jantzi said, adding, “He’s one of the best defensive players in the area.”

Kijowski’s offensive productivity has come as a pleasant surprise to the Lumberjacks coaching staff. When Kijowski joined the varsity squad his sophomore year, he was looked at as a guy who would help the Jacks out on defense. But his opportunity to show his versatility came last season when senior fullback Jeff Zellner broke a bone in his foot midway through the year.

Kijowski stepped in, and stepped up. “I was ready to go, no question. When they call you, you’ve just got to be ready,” he said. The transition wasn’t difficult for Kijowski, but he did need to gain the respect of his offensive teammates.

“I think I had to give the offense confidence in me that we could run the ball up the middle and not just have to pitch it every time,” he said. “So I think I just sort of gained their confidence.”

But make no mistake about it, Kijowski is a defensive player at heart. “I think it’s more intense, and there’s a lot more pursuit to it. That’s the fun part of defense,” Kijowski said. Funny that he mentions the word “pursuit,” because he’s been a major factor in the Jacks’ success as they pursue a Section VI championship.

In addition to football, Kijowski is a member of the National Honor Society at NTHS, and competes in the 100 meters and shot put for the Jacks during outdoor track season.

Still, football, a sport Kijowski began playing at age 7 when he joined the North Tonawanda Athletic Association, is his game, and it’s something he hopes to continue at the collegiate level.

“He’s worked so hard for his whole high school career in the weight room and everything else to get himself to this point, so it’s kind of special for him to have the success that he’s had,” Jantzi said.

Had being the operative word, Kijowski said he’s got plenty left in the tank for this season. “I think you’ll see something better,” he said. “I’m not going to plateau anytime.”