Colcord QB working to lead team deep in 2A
BY JOHN D. FERGUSON World Correspondent
Saturday, August 25, 2012
8/25/12 at 5:14 AM
There are two kinds of leaders: One who leads by words and another who leads by deeds. Colcord High School quarterback Austin Gilbert has always led by his actions.
If working hard and running his position well puts coach Terrill Denny at ease, Gilbert is OK with that role.
"I'm not a very outspoken person," Gilbert said. "I have to be one of the leaders and step up. I lead by example."
"We're going to be young," said Denny. "We don't have a lot of varsity experience ... except with our senior quarterback. That puts us at ease."
District coaches are picking Colcord to finish in a second-place tie with Commerce behind Kansas in the 2A-8 race. Kansas has not won a district championship since 2004. Colcord is looking for its first district title since 2005.
Gilbert's positive example includes: Rushing for 1,200 yards and passing for 900 more last season as Colcord posted a 7-3 record.
Gilbert won't be going it alone. Offensive lineman Thomas Wiley offers great protection and had 88 pancake blocks last season. Junior lineman Randy Perez is there, too.
Making great strides this season is Slaten Ford. Ford was pushed into the wide receiver position last season on a Hornet team that ran the ball often. Ford still managed 400 yards receiving.
"He's been a pleasant surprise (in preseason)," Denny said of the 6-foot-5, 190-pound Ford. "His work ethic is great."
Gilbert also thinks the whole squad has shown signs of wanting to achieve more this year.
"They are all working hard," Gilbert said. "It surprised me."
Gilbert summed up the upcoming season this way.
"I have a lot more responsibility than last year," he said. "We're looking to beat last year's record and go all the way in the playoffs."
Sounds like Gilbert is leading by deeds and words now.
Original Print Headline: Colcord QB working to lead team deep
