The Kragujevac Wild Boars went with three different starting quarterbacks this year, before finally settling with Nemanja Trajković in the end. Yet, they made it to the top of the standings, as once again their key player on offense was Aleksandar Ristić, the second leading rusher in the league, and the Wild Boars ran their way into the final.
The Boars offense struggled during the season. In a loss in Novi Sad that could’ve eliminated them Ristić had his first and only fumble of the season that was fortunately recovered by his own team, to go along with just 12 yards on 8 carries, as the Wild Boars could muster only six points on two field goals.
“I’m not entirely satisfied with our season, we could’ve done much better. In certain games we played up to our ability only sparingly. By that I mean the offense in particular”, says Ristić.
Stopped in Novi Sad, he came through in Belgrade in Kragujevac’s decisive game. Though not effective for most of the game, like Kragujevac’s offense in general, his 40 yard breakout in the first quarter set up his first and the Wild Boars’ second touchdown and already at that point sealed the game for them, and their trip in the final.
On that particular run Ristić showed all of his qualities. A strong runner, but also fast, he shifted gears after getting into the open field, and was on his way to a score before he was brutally pulled for the facemask by Aleksandar Anđelković of Vukovi.
But even then, he just got up and went to the huddle, without talking or complaining, and letting the officials do their job. What you won’t see from him is too much arguing. He just plays.
In 2006 he ran for 454 yards on 78 carries and scored 8 touchdowns in seven games, type of statistics that will merit votes when it comes to the Offensive Player of the Year award.
“I can say I had a good year, and the stats show that as well. We also had some problems during the season with the offensive line on running plays”, he says.
On Sunday the Wild Boars will be favored to win the title.
“Mainly I expect it to be a good game, so people can see how good football is around here. The team we’re playing has a lot of good individual players, so I won’t point anyone out, as they’re all equally dangerous.”