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SHAOZHUO CUI | Special to The Roanoke Times

Palmer, now a Radford High School running back, scores the second touchdown for the Bobcats during Saturday's game. Palmer ran for 58 yards on three carries in the playoff win.

The Roanoke Times | File 2008

D.J. Palmer transferred from Christiansburg High School to Radford this summer. "It's kind of the same and kind of not," Palmer says, comparing the offensive concepts he learned at Christiansburg and the new ones with the Bobcats. "It took me a while to get everything figured out," he says. "I figured it out."

| Ray Cox

ray.cox@roanoke.com, 381-1672

RADFORD -- It took D.J. Palmer a little while to get comfortable on a football field once he came back home to go to Radford High School.

Eleven games later, the gifted and versatile senior has the Bobcats' opposition on edge.

Basically, he's now a big play waiting to happen.

Be assured that old rival George Wythe will be acutely aware of that Friday night. The Maroons entertain Radford in a second round VHSL Group A Division 2 Region playoff game, kickoff 7:30 p.m.

Palmer transferred during the summer from Christiansburg, where he'd had a productive experience football-speaking. Off the field, things were more turbulent.

His family concluded he'd be better off at Radford, where he grew up and where his late father Dana had had an illustrious high school football career.

It took some time for D.J. Palmer to get his feet on the ground in the Radford classroom, not to mention coach Matthew Saunders spread attack.

"It's a big change, a change for the better," Palmer said.

The best change was the smaller class size and extra help Radford has been able to offer.

"They pushed me a lot here," he said. "They're behind me."

Ditto for his football dealings.

"It's kind of the same and kind of not," he said comparing the offensive concepts he learned at Christiansburg and the new ones with the Bobcats.

"It took me a while to get everything figured out," he said. "I figured it out."

And how.

That's a major reason Radford (8-3) captured the undisputed Three Rivers District title and is moving on in the postseason. Palmer had perhaps his best all-around game when the Bobcats turned back Giles 14-6 last week, the second time Radford had beaten the Spartans in eight days. Radford also prevailed 23-19 Nov. 6.

The Spartans, stout defensively in both games, held slotback Palmer relatively in check offensively in the first game with 33 all-purpose yards on one catch and five running plays with no scores.

The rematch was another matter. Palmer had 107 all-purpose yards and scored the clinching touchdown on a 47-yard pitch sweep and long-gone with 2:45 left.

The damage he inflicted was not restricted to that side of the line of scrimmage. A safety, he claimed his first two interceptions of the year and recovered a fumble that stopped a promising third-quarter Giles drive on a first-and-goal from the 5 with Radford leading 7-0.

The first pick short-circuited a second quarter Spartans march on a third-and-11 at the Radford 26. Palmer returned from inside the 10 to Radford's 48. The second interception scuttled Giles last drive and sewed up the victory form good.

"I knew Giles wasn't a passing team," he said. "I could read where they was throwing the ball and be there to make the interception."

The reaction in Radford to Palmer's arrival and impact has been predictable.

"He's done everything we've asked him to do," Saunders said. "He's been a pleasure to have with us. There were some people who wondered how he'd fit in, if he'd have a hard time. I just think he's back at home."

A major factor in Palmer growing up the past year is his 1-year-old son Xavier. Palmer and the boy's mother Tiffany Quarles are on good terms. Palmer is trying to spend as much time with the child as possible.

"It's kept him busy," said Palmer's grandmother, Patricia Palmer.

D.J. Palmer knows firsthand how difficult being a child in an unsettled situation can be.

Dana Palmer, a police officer and a beloved figure in the community, died of cancer in 2001, still a young man. D.J.'s mother has had legal and other problems and has been in and out of his life. It was left to his grandparents to raise him.

"He's had a rough life in a lot of ways," Saunders said. "He's had to grow up fast as a kid."

At Radford, another resource for Palmer has been his uncle, Keith Palmer, one of the Bobcats assistant football coaches.

"Keith's helped him a lot," Saunders said.

D.J. Palmer, who plans to play basketball for the Bobcats defending state champion team this winter, has the sort of physical ability that could land him in a college program if his academic affairs are in order.

His grandmother said she thought a postgraduate situation at a prep school such as Hargrave Military would help him in the classroom and otherwise.

He's agreeable.

Meanwhile, there's more Radford High football to play.

Said Saunders: "He's really picked it up for us."