Marion tailback Colton Storla trained religiously for the 2011 high school football season, only to sustain a painful injury in the opening game against Mount Vernon two weeks ago.

He doesn't plan to let it slow him down anymore.

Storla injured his left hand when he was hit by a face mask during a 14-10 victory over Mount Vernon, then played sparingly in a 28-14 triumph over Benton Community last week.

"I may have broken a knuckle in this one," he said Thursday, offering his hand for inspection. "They said it wasn't (broken), but it's still pretty tender."

Storla, a 5-foot-9, 225-pound senior, rushed for 1,250 yards last season, but he's been limited to only 136 yards on 28 carries this year in two games.

Storla said his hand was "huge" from the swelling after he got hurt against Mount Vernon. The swelling went down with treatment, then he got hit on the hand again.

Most of the swelling had subsided again by Thursday, and Storla said he's determined to play Friday night when the Indians visit Western Dubuque for a Class 3A district game.

"I'm coming out strong tomorrow," he vowed.

Marion Coach Tony Perkins said Storla has an appointment Friday with a medical specialist, but as far as Storla is concerned, he's healthy enough to play. "I am," he insisted.

Storla said he'll wear a protective pad to cover his hand. He's anxious to get back on the field and regain his form from 2010.

Storla averaged 125 yards per game and 6.25 yards per carry last year, but is averaging 68 yards per game and 4.9 per carry this season.