Gold Beach running back Garett Wolford stiff arms a defender from Umatilla during their playoff game last Saturday in Coos Bay. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

Who knows what attention Gold Beach senior Garett Wolford would be receiving if he wasn’t in the same backfield with arguably the top quarterback and fullback in all of Class 3A Oregon football.

As it is, Wolford’s numbers are astounding.

This season, he has carried 86 times for 685 yards (nearly an 8-yard average) and 15 touchdowns.

Those numbers pale in comparison to what Knox and Moore have put up, though.

Knox, the team’s quarterback and Sunset Conference offensive player of the year, has rushed for 1,471 yards and 25 scores, while Moore, the fullback, has rushed for 1,328 yards and 21 touchdowns.

They have been the focal point of most defenses, including the Panthers’ first two playoff foes — Warrenton and Umatilla.

“I know people in the playoffs, if we continue to be successful, will learn more about Wolford,” said Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift. “He’s always been a good back. We haven’t needed him.”

In Gold Beach’s veer attack, Knox runs many straight option plays where he can hand off to Moore up the middle, keep the ball himself on a keeper or pitch it to Wolford outside.

“It keeps (defenses) on their toes,” Wolford said. “They don’t know if it’s going up the middle to Travis or going to the outside.”

And it doesn’t bother Wolford that he’s viewed as the third option.

“I kind of like it,” he said. “I like being under the radar. Not many teams pay attention and they don’t understand what I do until the game comes around.”

With his speed, Wolford can spring free on the outside for big runs. He says Knox is the only faster player on the team, but he’s not far behind. But Wolford doesn’t mind avoiding contact.

“I just like to run people over,” he said. “Looking at film, I tend to stiff-arm people a lot. That’s kind of fun.”

Wolford didn’t have to worry about that on his biggest play last week against Umatilla. He had a 50-yard scoring run on a draw through a monstrous hole opened by the offensive line to help break the game open.

He also showed what he’s capable of on defense with two interceptions. Against Warrenton, Wolford returned an interception for a touchdown.

Swift said Wolford has been an invaluable team member on defense, even though he has played three different positions the past three seasons, moving from cornerback as a sophomore to defensive end last year to strong safety this fall.

“He just has a nose for the ball,” Swift said. “He’s a good, sure tackler. Good things happen when he’s around the ball.”

Wolford loves playing defense, because he loves the contact.

He also feels he provides a stabilizing role for the team on defense, keeping the group together.

Swift said Wolford serves well in his role as a captain.

“He’s a quiet captain,” Swift said. “He leads by example.”

And Swift is not surprised that Wolford doesn’t mind playing third fiddle on offense.

“He’s always been the third wheel,” Swift said. “He’s all about winning.”

If Gold Beach beats Regis in the semifinals on Saturday, the Panthers will be one step away from a second straight state title.