2023 Preview: Gilbert Indians

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert football had fallen upon hard times prior to head coach Chad Leaphart's return to his alma mater.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The program had not won a region title and had just one winning season in the 13 seasons prior to his hiring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six seasons, four region championships and one Lower State final appearance later, he's now on the verge of etching his place as the winningest head coach in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leaphart needs two wins to surpass Marty Woolbright as the school's career leader in victories. More important for Leaphart, however, is keeping the Indians competitive Region 5-3A, where teams like Brookland-Cayce and Lower Richland present major challenges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I think that will take care of itself, but we're just trying to get our guys ready," Leaphart said. “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>How the Indians fill the void from the graduation of <strong>Alias Graham-Woodberry</strong> and transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] to Irmo is one of the team's biggest questions. This will mean quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock'] will have to step up early and continue to show the poise and effectiveness shown since becoming starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians will also lean on an experienced defense to carry them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese']</strong> and <strong>Kelvin Blackwell</strong> lead the defensive line and linebacker <strong>Brendon Boatwright</strong> provides a boost in both pass-rushing and stopping the run. Gilbert also recently added transfer junior linebacker <strong>Javon Preston</strong> from New Hampstead in Savannah, Ga. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock']</strong> QB 2024 – He took over the starting duties in mid-season and led the Indians to a 7-1 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kelvin Blackwel</strong>l DL, 2024 – The team's co-leader in sacks is expected to lead the defense at tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese']</strong> DL, 2024 – Led the Indians in tackles last season and possesses the speed, size and wingspan to dominate his side of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brendon Boatwright</strong> DT, 2024 -The senior linebacker plays bigger than his 5-foot-8 frame. He's a persistent pass rusher who's constantly in the middle of tackles. He possesses a nose for the football with a knack of forcing turnovers both at the line of scrimmage and secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11549819/5f8090f0478ce60a10a2ad52' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64af63772a476"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS(es)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> and <strong>Alias Graham-Woodberry </strong>RBs – Gilbert's backfield version of “Thunder and Lightning” combined for 3,225 yards and 48 touchdowns on the ground last season. Hendrix is now at Irmo, while Graham-Woodberry graduated in May.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jalen Jay</strong> RB, 2025 – The rising junior has big shoes to fill but showed glimpses of his talent in limited play last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris']</strong> RB, 2025 – Looks to pair up with Jay to form a new “Thunder and Lightning” backfield for the Indians.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding']</strong> TE, 2025 – Leaphart's offense has always had a reliable, physical tight end who's also a pass-catching threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->