TURNER — Stand next to Nate Coombs and you can be relatively certain that he isn’t an offensive or defensive lineman.

And that is the extent of what he doesn’t, or won’t, do for the Leavitt Area High School.

Depending upon the situation, Coombs lines up as a slot receiver, tailback or quarterback for Leavitt.

On defense, when teams wisely decide they don’t want any part of the Hornets’ front seven, Coombs is likely to have a hand in a majority of the tackles. Or he’ll pick off the pass. Or he’ll swoop in and deck the quarterback.

When the other team punts — as Leavitt opponents are prone to do — Coombs customarily returns the kick for double-digit yardage.

High school programs spend years praying for one senior with Coombs’ combination of skills. It says something about both his humility and the Hornets’ run of championship teams that Coombs considers himself merely the latest in a long-line of all-purpose athletes.

Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Jordan Hersom, semifinalist Brian Bedard and Ian Durgin immediately spring to mind.

“I just try to my best at every position. I try to be a leader out there and set a good example for the older guys,” Coombs said. “I had some great role models ahead of me. I just want to be able to offer everything I have to the team.”

When the Western Class C championship game kicks off 7 p.m. Friday night, Spruce Mountain would do well to keep tabs on Leavitt’s No. 5. The action at Libby Field is likely to be happening around him.

Coombs is Leavitt’s leading receiver with 30 catches for 377 yards and five touchdowns. His 12 combined touchdowns also are tied for best on the team.

Averaging nine yards per carry out of multiple formations, Coombs is one of four Hornets to have rushed for at least 600 yards.

Defensively, playing mostly safety with an occasional stint at linebacker, Coombs has amassed 76 tackles (third on the team), three interceptions, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

“He’s a guy that you can find some good ways to use him in a game plan,” Leavitt coach Mike Hathaway said.

Coombs broke into the lineup his sophomore season, starting every game at safety for a team that reached the Class B final before losing to Wells.

Far from being thrown into the fire, it was Coombs’ chance to learn while Hersom, Bedard and Durgin roamed the same secondary.

“I was probably the weak link back then. I kind of wanted to be one of those guys my senior year, but back then I just couldn’t see myself growing up to be as good as those guys,” Coombs said. “Back then basically I was just put out there not to make a mistake. I didn’t have to make any spectacular plays. I just had to hold my own.”

There’s a similar lack of pressure this season, in part because Coombs stands alongside fellow seniors Clay Rowland and Nate Rousseau and junior Adam Poulin. Leavitt flaunts four superior playmakers on its last line of defense.

“We’re trying to have good balance but we’re also trying to feature some of the things that these guys do pretty well,” Hathaway said. “I think that’s kind of what we’ve had here the past few years is guys continue to step in and do what the other guys did who are leaving.”

Like everyone in green, Coombs was scarred by a stunning loss to Belfast in the 2012 Class B regional quarterfinals.

The aftermath is resounding evidence of a team determined to write a different ending. Leavitt has breezed through its nine games by a combined score of 357-41.

“It motivated me to get in the weight room. To get better and get my speed better,” Coombs said. “The thing was, last year we had another chance to get better. That motivated us. We didn’t want that to happen again. We wouldn’t have another year if we had another letdown like we did against Belfast. It’s one more chance, do or die.”

And he’ll happily play wherever, doing whatever, whenever, to keep the journey alive.

koakes@sunjournal.com