Jeff Seybold learned when to overcome his instincts and it's made him a better football player.

The Lincoln Southwest senior has rushed for 1,098 yards this season, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. That's more than double what he had last year.

"Sometimes it's hard to overcome your instinct to try to run around people instead of over them," Seybold said. "I try to think about it before a game, and whenever I get the opportunity, I'll run over someone instead of using the juke move."

Seybold and his Silver Hawk teammates face Lincoln Southeast today at 7 p.m. at Seacrest Field in a Class A state playoff quarterfinal game.

"Jeff was a nice running back as a junior and did things well. But he needed to work on his decisiveness, when to stick his foot in the ground and get north and south," coach Mark King said. "He also needed to work on ball security and to lower his pads.

"He's improved in all three of those phases, everywhere he needed. He has natural ability and great speed, although he runs strong when he has to."

King said Seybold has learned to read the defense and respond.

"He's such a coachable kid. It's not that he always wanted to bounce outside and use his speed," King said. "But sometimes we need him to do something on his own. He knows to take it when he has a chance to bounce and get that extra half a yard.

"He's comfortable with the ball in his hands and now he knows when to be patient. Plus, he catches the ball so well. He's a great receiver when he comes out of the backfield."

Seybold said he worked hard to increase his production but also knows he's dependent on the offensive line.

"You can't do anything without the line. Our line got hit by injuries and sickness this year," Seybold said. "Morgan Bergen, our left tackle, tore his ACL. Trent Meyer, our right tackle, broke a bone in his leg.

"Coach (Andrew) Sherman has the line communicating in practice drills. If we get a blitz coming, they can catch it and talk to the bone backs, who also block. Communication is really the key for the line."

Seybold, who has talked with coaches from UNO, Nebraska and North Dakota State, is also expanding his feelers to Hawaii.

"When it comes to college and getting an education, getting a free education is the most important thing in my mind," Seybold said. "That will affect my decision. It's definitely a big decision and I'll take that into consideration, along with how I fit in at that school."

Seybold said being in the playoffs is enough motivation, but playing cross-town rival Southeast adds to the emotion.

"This time of year, you don't want this to be your last practice or your last game, but with Southeast being our rival, we really don't want them to end our season," Seybold said.

Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at rhambleton@journalstar.com or 473-7314.