Sept. 12, 2007
By Terry Nau, Pawtucket Times Sports Editor
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A.J. Kizekai has this knack for fitting in and excelling wherever his life takes him.
Born in Monrovia, Liberia, the future St. Raphael Academy football star came to Pawtucket with his family at the age of 4, settling in to a comfortable existence with his parents and five siblings.
After earning all-state honors in football and track, the 2005 SRA graduate enrolled at Blair Academy in New Jersey, prepping for college while playing some more football.
"I was homesick," Kizekai admitted over the phone from Lewisburg, Pa. on Tuesday afternoon. "I had never been away from my family before. I had to learn not to depend upon my mom so much."
Bucknell University had first shown interest in Kizekai as a track runner. Known for his explosive speed in the sprints, Kizekai also attracted college attention with his pure skills as a running back.
"I went to Blair to get my SAT scores up," A.J. said. "I hadn't chosen a college yet. For a time it looked like I would go to (the University of) Rhode Island. I am very glad I decided to go to Bucknell. It's just a beautiful campus. I fell in love with the place after a couple months. But it does get very cold here in the winter!"
Kizekai's name is in the news this week due to his gridiron exploits last Saturday during a 48-20 loss to Stony Brook. The 5-9, 184-pound sophomore was named the Patriot League's Special Teams Player of the Week after gaining 167 return yards on six kickoff attempts. Add on 44 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards and Kizekai accumulated 251 all-purpose yards for the game.
"It's an honor for me and my teammates," Kizekai said. "We spend a lot of time working on special teams in practice. Any time we can do something that helps the team, it means a lot to us."
Kizekai is also the starting slotback in coach Tim Landis's triple-option offensive attack.
"This offense is similar to the Veer offense we ran at Blair," Kizekai said. "But it's way different from the Wing-T we ran at St. Raphael Academy. And now it seems like our opponents are stringing out our pitchout plays. We have to adjust to that."
Kizekai has rushed 16 times for 88 yards (5.5 yards per carry) in two games this season. Last year, he ended up as the team's second-leading rusher as a freshman, gaining 441 yards on 58 carries (an average of 7.6 yards per rush).
A.J. missed the first four games of his freshman season in 2006 with a muscle pull, then burst on the scene in a big way when he ran for a 36-yard touchdown the first time he touched the football as a collegiate player. He ended up starting six of the Bison's final eight games. Kizekai was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week once and ranked second on the team in rushing yards, receiving yards and all-purpose yards.
A.J. sophomore season is off to a slower start with just 16 carries in two games. Opposing defenses know who he is now. And that's just fine with the thoughtful kid from Liberia who never backs down from a challenge, either in life or on the gridiron.
"My course workload is heavier than in high school," he admitted, "but I believe St. Raphael Academy did a good job getting me ready for college. I am undecided yet about my college major. Most likely it will be in economics or sociology. I'm keeping my mind open."