Denzel Heath puts a spin move on player classification, and then sacks it.

Hopewell High’s top weapon on both sides of the football, Heath cannot be categorized exclusively as an offensive or defensive player, or as one who relies more on his strength than his athleticism.

Because of his unique blend of talent, it’s simpler to just call him a football player and leave it at that. His game is all inclusive.

“Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it,” he says.

Heath, a senior, is the featured running back in Hopewell’s new spread offense and a returning allconference linebacker. Now six-foot, 195 pounds, Heath is also one of the best prep players anywhere in the shadows of Charlotte.

“I knew he was good,” says first-year Titan coach David Johnson, who had only seen glimpses of Heath while serving as offensive coordinator at Berry Academy. “I didn’t know he was this good.”

Johnson says it’s not simply Heath’s ability to be able to start on offense and defense that makes him special. A lot of players play on both sides. But Heath is a force regardless of where he lines up.

“If we put him at guard, he’d play guard,” says Johnson.

Heath actually has some experience lining up next to the center, having played guard while growing up in Cincinnati. But he left his offensive line duties in Ohio when he moved to Huntersville during the eighth grade. Look for No. 4 to stick to linebacker and running back this fall.

Heath, who is undecided about his college future, enjoys the two positions and doesn’t prefer one over the other. He just wants to make plays. To him, wrapping up a ball carrier is as rewarding as breaking off a long run. His teammates describe him as fearless, relentless and a star on the field and off. Hopewell defensive tackle Tevin Stevenson says he prefers Heath to play defense in practice.

“I like him at linebacker,” says Stevenson. “At running back, he runs right past me.”

Last season, Heath rushed for 407 yards and seven touchdowns in more of a complementary role to Dondré Lewis-Freeman, then the Titans’ primary back, though Heath did total 117 yards against West Charlotte and 111 against Hough. This year, he will be the one getting the bulk of the carries.

Heath has often been pegged as a power back and a power back only. But he’s shown his shiftiness and speed before — including on a 72-yard touchdown run last year against Hough — and is motivated to prove he can do more than slam into the heart of the defense, break tackles and score in short-yardage situations.

“Now, I get to show my different side, my agility,” says Heath. “I’m not just straight power.”

Johnson says Heath will benefit from the new spread offense he brought to the Titans. Hopewell will get him all the touches it can, while trying to create space for him to work. And the Titans will use his versatility to their advantage.

“His ability to run away from people is just as impressive as his ability to run between the tackles and run downhill to get yardage,” says Johnson.

Defensively, Heath motors toward the football and doesn’t stop until he gets to it. Last season, he had 50 tackles and two sacks while often being double-teamed.

Heath is from an athletic family. His father, Lee Heath, played in the Atlanta Braves organization, while his uncle, Rodney Heath, played cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals. And Heath’s younger brother, Dominique, is a sophomore running back and slot receiver on Hopewell’s varsity team.

Denzel and Dominique have never played on the same team before, and the two are excited about the opportunity. Like many brothers, though, they are competitive.

“I want to be like him one day,” says Dominique, “or better than him.”

It’s that kind of motivation Johnson sees other Titan players receiving from Denzel, too.

“He’s the true definition of a team player,” says Johnson. “I’m glad we have him.”