Gibson vs. Goliath
A self-described underdog, Wheeler sophomore has rushed for 1,024 yards, 15 TDs
A self-described underdog, Wheeler sophomore Trey Gibson has rushed for 1,024 yards, 15 TDs this season.
Wheeler sophomore running back Trey Gibson likes playing against bigger schools. It motivates him.
That’s why the 151 yards he gained against Lowell in a 26-13 loss was so important to him. Lowell had to forfeit its win after it reported using an ineligible player.
Wheeler is a Class 2A school, and the Red Devils are in 4A.
“I like going into games being the underdog,” he said. “My entire life, I’ve been the underdog. I’ve always been about proving people wrong no matter how good they are. We came out firing on all cylinders. Even though we didn’t win and we made a few mistakes, we felt like we showed out.”
Gibson has been showing out since he was a freshman. He has rushed for 1,024 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He’s averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Gibson finished with 898 yards rushing and eight TDs last season.
At 6 feet and 180 pounds, Gibson has elite speed and a work ethic he’s honed since he started playing football in Pop Warner. He said he’ll run the 100 meters and the 200 meters in track next spring. He didn’t get to run last spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wheeler coach Adam Hudak knew Gibson was ready after the 2019 summer team camps.
“We were pretty excited when we saw what he could do,” Hudak said.
“He really held his own there. The seniors were great last year. Everyone bought into what he could do.”
Wheeler (6-1, 1-0) is playing a brand of football that Hudak envisioned when he started in 2017. The Bearcats chew up clock with their single-wing offense.
The a d d i t i o n o f j u ni o r quarterback Preston Morris has helped them balance their offense. Morris, who transferred from Boone Grove, has passed for 866 yards and six touchdowns.
Hudak is coaching seniors who started with him, too, and he said this is the most talented team he has fielded.
And it should be good next
season. Wheeler starts 16 sophomores, Hudak said.
“This is our best team by far,” he said. “We have the whole package — skill players and an experienced offensive line. This senior group is special to me since I started with them.”
Said Gibson: “It’s been a great start to the year. We are doing good things, and everything is clicking. Preston Morris has been phenomenal, and our offensive line has been doing a good job. It’s been a big year so far.”
The Bearcats have their biggest game of the season on Friday, when Hanover Central (5-2, 1-1) visits for a Greater
South Shore Conference game. With a victory, Wheeler likely would set up a season-ending game against Griffith (3-2, 2-0) on Oct. 16 for the conference title.
“This is a game we had circled on the schedule,” Gibson said. “I’m excited for it, and I know my team is excited for it.”
COVID-19 update: Crown Point is the latest team affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In a news release Thursday afternoon, the school announced it is canceling its last two regularseason games against Chesterton and Michigan City.
The release said six students were affected by a positive COVID-19 test.
The Bulldogs’ next game would be in the Class 6A playoffs on Oct. 23. Crown Point (3-3) missed another game earlier this season when Valparaiso had to cancel two games after a player t ested positive f or COVID-19.
Rankings: In the Associated Press polls, Merrillville is ranked No. 6 in Class 6A, Valparaiso is No. 3 and Michigan City is No. 7 in Class 5A, Lowell is No. 6 and Hobart is No. 8 in Class 4A, and Andrean is No. 1 in Class 2A.