In today’s world of specialization among high school athletes, Bishop England junior Leo Albano is a refreshing change in attitude.

Albano refuses to specialize in any one sport until he has to, which will not be any time during the next two years at Bishop England. Perhaps on the college level he will be forced to pick one sport, but for now Albano says the more sports, the better.

This fall, the 6-1, 190-pound junior is quarterbacking the Bishops’ football team for a third consecutive year. His 181 yards rushing and three touchdowns were instrumental in Bishop England’s victory over Christ Church last week. On Friday night, he’ll lead the Bishops when they host West Ashley High at 7:30 p.m.

Last season, Albano accounted for 1,035 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns in Bishop England’s option-based attack. He also added 704 yards passing.

As soon as football is over, Albano is on the basketball court. Last season, Albano was the second-leading scorer on the basketball team with 13.2 points per game.

Wasting no time in February, Albano hustles out to the diamond where he pitches, hits leadoff and plays the outfield for coach Mike Darnell’s baseball team. Last spring, the southpaw was 4-2 with a save on the mound while hitting .422 with a .495 on base percentage.

“I don’t know how he gets it all in,” head football coach John Cantey said. “He plays three sports and he takes a very heavy academic load. It’s pretty impressive to see him excel at everything he does. But that’s just his focus. He wants to be good.”

If forced to pick one sport, Albano says baseball is his favorite.

“I enjoy all sports. I am really a sports fan,” Albano said. “I like competing and being part of a team effort. But baseball is probably my favorite. It’s more of a thinking game.”

Darnell said Albano has the talent and skills to play college baseball. But he also loves the fact that Albano commits himself to every sport that he participates in.

“He’s the total package. An All-American kid, really,” said Darnell, who was an all-state quarterback and all-state baseball player at Stratford High School. “In terms of baseball, he has all of the tools. He can run, he can hit and he’s left-handed. He’s a kid that loves to compete. He’s an outstanding student, a great kid who respects everyone, and he’s never in any trouble.

“He’s really the type player a coach loves to have because you know he’s never sitting back and resting on his accomplishments. He always strives to get better at something. Lot of kids these days, they aren’t taking the time to really learn their craft. This kid is always watching and always learning.”

It is that desire to study and learn the game that has allowed Cantey to trust Albano with more of the decisions on the football field this fall. Albano knows the Bishops’ offense like the back of his hand.

“People try to do things defensively against our option and sometimes the call from the sideline is not good for what we’re seeing at the line of scrimmage,” Cantey said. “Leo is good enough and smart enough to see that and get us in a better play. He studies the game so well. He’s very comfortable with making decisions. He’s an incredible student in the classroom and that carries over to football. He knows how to study.”

Albano is appreciative of his coach entrusting him with the decision-making process in games.

“I love the freedom I have this year, he said. “I’ve been talking to coach about giving me some leeway on the calls and he has come to trust me and allow me to do some things. I feel comfortable doing it because I know I have prepared.”