2024 Preview: Gilbert Indians

Gilbert knows how close it came in the playoffs last year in 2023, as they fell to Camden in the third round and finished with an 11-2 record. As the 2024 season approaches, longtime Indians' assistant coach Ozzie Ezume takes over as head coach, replacing Chad Leaphart. And the mindset is a focused one.   “We make sure everybody is focused. We don't do all the laughing and joking around. We like to make sure everybody is right because when we show the young ones, yeah, y'all like to win but it's hard. You've got to work hard. You can't just come out here and win. You've got to work hard in the summer,” running back [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] said.   Jay will be a part of an offense that returns eight starters from 2023, including [player_tooltip player_id='1395083' first='Bryson' last='Butler'] and Drew Hill up front on the offensive line.   The Indians will need to replace guys on defense with only three starters back from 2023, highlighted by Gray Gunter and Knox McFarland back at linebacker. Vikramjit Cheema will be back at kicker and Thomas Armstrong returns at long snapper.   As the 2024 season approaches, Ezume and his team are taking it one day at a time.   “You can't win a game now. But you can lose one if you're skipping days and creating bad habits. And so as we get through this part of the summer and get into our fall camp, our preparation is going to be key – how we're installing our offense and defense. Are we putting kids in the best place for them to be successful? And at the same place, we're learning things about our staff as well. How do we operate best in a practice and a game setting and in the same way, we have hard scrimmages. We want our team to really be battle tested to see our flaws early and fix them,” Ezume said.   Gilbert opens the 2024 season on the road against Lexington on August 23.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding'] TE, 2025 – Ezume thinks Gooding (pictured above) is the best tight end in the state and it's easy to see why, considering he is committed to Marshall University. The All-State and All-Region performer from 2023 can line up and flex at multiple skill positions on offense. He's a great blocker and great pass catcher.   Gooding on the upcoming season: “We came up short last year in the third round against Camden so, we're definitely looking at that and how we can improve. As a team, we're working. We go up to the fields and throw, make sure we're crisp on our routes and our concepts, just making sure everybody understands our concepts. (We've) got a new coach. He brought in some new concepts and new ideas so making sure we're super sharp on those so we can be as fluid as possible.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] RB/LB, 2025 – Jay was the starting back for half of the 2024 season and now steps into the full-time starting role after totaling 1002 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. He plans to visit the University of West Georgia in the future.   [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] SS – Meetze was a tackling machine in 2023, finishing with 148 total tackles, 4 interceptions and six pass breakups.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] RB/LB, 2027 – Williamson is as special as it can get, according to Ezume. As a freshman, he ran for 1401 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry and scored 20 touchdowns in 2023. He had 54 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 5 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris'] WR, 2025 – Morris was an All-Region and All-State performer in 2023 and is primed for a huge senior season. He led the team in receptions with 53 for 822 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. He has great speed on the outside and runs sharp routes and knows how to find the green grass. He's also used in the run game and he can move from sideline to sideline and make explosive plays for the Indians' offense.    KEY LOSSES   Colton Travis OL - A state championship wrestler, whose toughness was something that couldn't be measured, according to Ezume. He was a good example for the younger lineman who will be following in his footsteps.   Xavier Davenport and Calvin Blackwell DL - Ezume says these guys controlled football games, and not just plays on the defensive front.   UP AND COMING POTENTIAL   Cooper James QB, 2025 – James served in a backup role last year and will be the starter for the Indians in 2024. Ezume has a lot of confidence in him and the players trust him as well as they implement the offense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734574' first='Kennedy' last='Harmon'] OL, 2026 – Harmon returns as a starter on the offensive line that played in every game last year. He has good knee bend and can pull block well to create holes for the running back.    Guthrie could be a downfield threat for the Indians in the future. He'll mainly line up on the outside and can create separation from defenders and run great routes. He got in on defense some last year and created a block on an interception.

Gilbert knows how close it came in the playoffs last year in 2023, as they fell to Camden in the third round and finished with an 11-2 record. As the 2024 season approaches, longtime Indians' assistant coach Ozzie Ezume takes over as head coach, replacing Chad Leaphart. And the mindset is a focused one.