After playing football his freshman season, Darrik Bloomfield took the next two years off to focus on basketball. But a love of football lured the North Tonawanda High School senior back to the gridiron for his final season. He’s pretty happy with the decision, and his Lumberjacks teammates and coaches are even happier.

While NT’s roster is replete with backs who can bolt for big runs or plow ahead for tough yards up the middle, the Lumberjacks have in Bloomfield a big-play threat on offense, defense and special teams. Lancaster will need to account for No. 17 when the two squads meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium at 6 tonight in the Section VI Class AA final.

“I’ve always loved football, and it was my biggest regret not playing the last two years,” Bloomfield said earlier this week. “It just clicked in my mind, ‘You have to play football.’” Asked if he’s glad he returned, Bloomfield said, “Oh my gosh, I’m ecstatic about it — probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

During those two years away, Bloomfield’s former freshmen teammates badgered him to come back to the football team. “Every year we’re like, ‘Darrik, come play football, you’ll be great,’” senior quarterback Mike Tuzzo said. “And then finally this year...he came out, and you see in the games how great he really does. He just makes plays.”

Bloomfield’s play-making versatility was on full display last weekend in NT’s sectional semifinal win over Orchard Park, during which he caught a 37-yard pass on third-and-23 — a reception that kept NT’s drive alive and led to their second touchdown — and made a huge interception to stop an OP drive deep in Jacks territory.

Want more? Bloomfield also gained big yards on punt returns, giving NT great field position, and he was working hard when he didn’t have the ball by making some key blocks for NT’s running backs.

His play this season has made some of his teammates think of just how much better they’d have been if he didn’t take that hiatus.

“It’s just great having a player like him on the team,” Tuzzo said. “If it’s third and long and we need that first down, he’ll fight for the ball, he’ll go up and get it. He’s definitely made us a lot better,” Tuzzo said, adding that Bloomfield’s success during game play is the result of his work ethic in practice.

Playing a key role on his team is nothing new for Bloomfield, who was an integral part of the NT basketball team, which won a first-round sectional playoff game last winter for the first time in years. He also was a speedster and solid center fielder on the Jacks baseball team last spring.

“Once I get the ball, it’s like nobody can stop me,” said Bloomfield, who’s rushed nine times for 179 yards and three TDs and caught five passes for 113 yards.

He attributes his on-field mentality directly to his father Craig, who played basketball for Williamsville North. “It definitely comes from my dad. He has a can’t stop, won’t stop mentality.”

Had Bloomfield not listened to his teammates, he wouldn’t have been on board for the exciting ride NT football has enjoyed this season. The unbeaten Jacks rolled to the Class AA North title and haven’t slowed down, claiming playoff wins over Frontier and defending state champion Orchard Park. A win tonight will give the Jacks their first sectional title in seven years.

“He’s a special player,” NT coach Eric Jantzi said. “He makes plays, he’s athletic. To watch him go up and catch a football or make a break on a ball gives you goose bumps.”

The NT faithful are hoping Bloomfield can provide some more goose bump moments this evening in the sectional championship game.

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.