After spending two years chasing down and hitting opposing running backs, Roosevelt High School senior Ranson Tuitama wanted his chance to see what he could do in their shoes.

He finally got the opportunity this season, and has made the most of it.

Tuitama, a 5-foot-9, 225-pound running back, has rushed for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns on 174 carries (5.5 ypc), helping the Rough Riders (6-2-1) advance to tomorrow's O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference championship game against Kaimuki (9-1).

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Aloha Stadium, and the game will be televised live statewide on OC16.

"It feels great, it's all been a team effort," said Tuitama, a third-year letterman. "We've been able to put things together."

Tuitama has been one of the key pieces from the beginning.

He spent his sophomore and junior seasons playing middle linebacker, performing well enough to earn honorable mention on last year's White All-Conference team. But Roosevelt struggled in 2005, going 1-5 in regular-season play and later being demoted from the Red Conference.

The Rough Riders had another tough year in 2006, going 3-6 overall and failing to qualify for the White playoffs.

"It was disappointing, because we felt we had a good team," Tuitama said. "But we felt good about this year's team."

Pumping Tuitama up even more was finally getting the opportunity to carry the ball. Even while playing defense last year, he went to the University of Hawai'i games and paid special attention to running back Nate Ilaoa.

"That's exactly who I wanted to be like," Tuitama said. "Every game, I would watch him, watch the way he ran. I was just waiting for my chance."

The chance finally came this season, and Tuitama seized it right away.

In his first game, he rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Kalani. He followed it with 101 yards and three more TDs on 18 carries in a win against Waialua.

He added 100-yard games against Anuenue and Kaiser, then had 117 yards and one touchdown in a 34-34 tie with Pearl City in the regular-season finale.

Like Ilaoa, Tuitama's running style is a combination of punishing power and deceptive speed. He surprisingly is just as apt to run around a defender as run through him.

"He's a power back, but he also runs with a lot of finesse," Roosevelt coach Les Parrilla said. "He seemed coordinated enough to do the job, but what surprised us was his patience. For a first-year guy, he's always waiting for his blocks, and his instincts are really good. The way he runs, it looks like he's been playing the position all his life."

Tuitama said he is willing to get his yards in whatever ways necessary.

"When I get in there, the adrenaline just pumps," he said. "I actually like to do both — I like to be elusive, but I like to deliver the hit, too. I just see what kind of position the defender is in, and then I make my move."

Tuitama's best performance came last week, in the Rough Riders' most crucial game to date.

He rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns to help visiting Roosevelt knock off Waipahu, 37-18, in the White semifinals. The victory not only avenged a heartbreaking 20-19 loss to the Marauders in the regular season, but also secured a spot in the upcoming Division II state tournament, not to mention tomorrow's title game.

"The O-line stepped up and made me feel real confident," Tuitama said. "When we lost to Waipahu, it set it up for us to want to get them again. We had two weeks to prepare (with a bye after Pearl City), so it was a chance to start over. Our coaches said we needed to have a good first quarter, and we started strong."

The Rough Riders led 3-0 after the first quarter and 30-6 at halftime.

Tuitama still will see spot duty at linebacker, and he is versatile enough on offense to be a top blocker and catch passes out of the backfield. He's even thrown two touchdown passes on halfback options.

"He's one of the more physical guys we have, and I hope it feeds off on the other players," Parrilla said. "He's not afraid to stick his nose in there, on offense or defense. He's a heady player, and he's always gonna give it all he's got."

Due to field renovations at Roosevelt, the Rough Riders have practiced on a muddy field at Stevenson Middle School this week. The field has no yard markers, goal posts or lights.

"It's different, but we've got to do what we can with what we've got," Tuitama said. "It's OK. We can do this."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.