Look for the rest of the Renton Fall Standout Athletes later this week

Working in Liberty’s spread offense last year, running back Chandler Jenkins was dynamic.

Working in the Patriots’ run-centered offense this year, Jenkins was essential.

The senior piled up 1,809 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns this season as Liberty finished 8-4 and went to state for the third straight year.

“I didn’t think my career was going to be like this,” Jenkins said. “I didn’t think I’d have a chance to take it to the next level.”

Several Northwest schools have talked with Jenkins and he has an official scholarship offer from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

It’s fair to say the KingCo 3A/2A Offensive Player of the Year has just about everything possible to prove his worth to college teams. Jenkins rushed for at least 130 yards in 10 games this season, his highlight coming Oct. 22 against Interlake when he rushed 12 times for 279 yards and three touchdowns … in less than half a game.

Coaches pulled Jenkins with two minutes left in the second quarter after he tweaked his shoulder.

Jenkins has been a fixture in the Patriots’ offense since he was a sophomore, but this year the team relied on him as a true feature back.

After Liberty sustained injuries to wide receivers Jake Bainton and Josh Gordon in the season’s first two games, the Patriots were dangerously thin in the passing game.

“All of the sudden we had three sophomore wide receivers and that really messed up our passing rhythm,” Jenkins said. “Then we figured out how well we could run the ball and our line kind of likes the challenge of saying we can go downhill all game.”

Coming into the season, Jenkins originally expected the running game to take a step back because the Patriots had to replace most of its offensive line.

“I didn’t mind that,” he said. “I’ll run 100 times or five times, I’m just looking to win.”

The way things have gone for Liberty this year, it’s been closer to the 100 mark. Jenkins rushed 221 times this season, 86 in Liberty’s final four games. But he hasn’t had to to it all himself.

The Patriots line has gelled incredibly quickly, allowing Liberty to not miss a step offensively.

The emergence of junior running back Hamilton Noel as a change of pace for Jenkins also helped to take the pressure off. Noel rushed 35 times for 394 yards and four touchdowns the three games leading up to state.

Jenkins extended Liberty’s season past the first round of the state tournament when he returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in the closing minutes of a 20-17 win against Mount Si Nov. 12.

Liberty’s season came to an end with a 35-0 loss to Bellevue in the 3A state quarterinals Nov. 19, but Jenkins will still be active at Liberty.

Jenkins gained some valuable perspective on facing fears on the field during rugby last spring.

“You don’t have pads on and it’s like man vs. man,” he said. “It’s kind of getting over your fear. Playing with some of those guys who don’t care, they just want to crack anybody they see.”

He’s played basketball since first grade and will play for the Patriots this season. He also plans to compete in both track and field and rugby in the spring, if possible. Rugby is a club sport.

“I’m definitely looking to go out with a bang,” Jenkins said.