April On Campus: Gilbert Indians

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GILBERT |</strong> Closing in on the school's all-time career coaching wins mark at Gilbert is not the top priority for head coach Chad Leaphart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Indian alumnus, who needs two wins to surpass Marty Woolbright, finding replacements for his potent hyphenated backfield of [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] (now at Irmo) and [player_tooltip player_id='262635' first='Alias' last='Graham-Woodberry'] stands among the biggest challenges for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The duo combined for 3,225 yards and 48 touchdowns on the ground last season in leading Gilbert to a fourth Region 5-3A title in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I think that will take care of itself, but we're just trying to get our guys ready,” said Leaphart about becoming the school's winningest head football coach. “I feel good about the defense. We've got nine out of 11 starters coming back on defense. On offense, we've got a lot to replace, to be honest, especially a lot of yards out of the backfield. A lot of touchdowns out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're also losing [player_tooltip player_id='132510' first='Blake' last='Cooke'] off our offensive line who was a North-South (All-Star), Nat Yon and Will Stroud, another senior. So we've got some guys to replace upfront.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What has Leaphart optimistic about is the program's success during his tenure withrunning backs. From Catriez and Deandre Cook, to Cody Temples, Colton Mason, Allen-Hendrix and Graham-Woodberry, the Indians' backfield has found capable players to carry the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to continue that run of success are juniors<strong> Jaylen Jay</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris']</strong>. Both possess similar physical traits as their recent predecessors with the 6-0, 200-pound Jay resembling Allen-Hendrix and the speedy, versatile Morris (5-10, 180 lbs.) playing the Graham-Woodberry role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect Gilbert to open its passing game with returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock']. The rising senior replaced [player_tooltip player_id='262616' first='Chance' last='Jennings'] in Week 6 and led the Indians to seven straight victories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braddock is also among the Gilbert players who've benefited from the opening of a new, expansive weight room inside the school. Braddock has added 25 pounds to a 6-2, 185-pound frame and is focused on improving his arm strength to help the Indians' offense further open the field for long scoring plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding']</strong> has also gained 25 pounds in the off-season. The 2-year letterman provides another receiver option for Braddock as well as an extra blocker to open running lanes for Jay and Morris.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Indians will be led upfront by co-sack leaders senior tackle <strong>Kelvin Blackwell</strong> and end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese']</strong> and active outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":782534,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brenden Boatwright","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gilbert ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":" u003cliu003eA 3-year letterman who plays bigger than his size. 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effective blocker who's willing to u0022get dirtyu0022 at the line of scrimmageu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eHas added 25 pounds to this 210-pound frameu003c/liu003eu003cliu003eAt 6-4 with good hands, he adds to the Indians' passing game with his ability to get open.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-643f1a91488cb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->