Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 30, 2005 Making an impact Phoenix’s Riley Gibson packs quite a punch at middle linebacker By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune PHOENIX — Football can be many things to many players. For Phoenix senior Riley Gibson, there’s one aspect of the game that stands out above all others. "The hitting part," the 6-foot, 210-pounder says without hesitation. "I love to hit people. That’s absolutely my favorite part. It’s all about hitting. The more I can hit, the happier I am." Considering the fact that Gibson is the leading tackler on the fifth-ranked Pirates’ stout defense, that might make him the happiest man in Phoenix about now. "He comes up and he sticks people," Phoenix head coach Gordy Crowston says of the middle linebacker. "He’s got that ability to come up and really strike." Along with fellow linebackers Brandon Bucich and Ben DeCuir, Gibson has played a huge role in Phoenix (3-0, 1-0 Skyline) having allowed only two touchdowns entering tonight’s key clash with ninth-ranked North Valley. Kickoff is at 7 at Jack Woodward Stadium. Advertisement The Pirates limited North Bend to 63 yards of total offense in a 42-7, season-opening triumph. They followed that up by limiting Creswell to minus 2 yards rushing on 22 carries in a game Phoenix led 49-0 before the hosts finally scored in the fourth quarter. Last week, Phoenix posted a 42-0 shutout at Rogue River. "It’s amazing how well we communicate as a team out there," says Gibson, 18. "It might sound like we’re yelling at each other all the time, but we’re just trying to make sure everyone’s doing their job and we’re all on the same page." Much of that responsibility belongs to Gibson, who has the task of making sure everyone’s lined up correctly and understands their duties. "I love having that responsibility," he says. "The more responsibilities I have, the more it drives me to do better." Crowston says he’s certainly noticed that, as well as an increased level of awareness on the gridiron this season for Gibson, who was a second-team all-conference linebacker last year and also starts at left guard on the offensive line. "The confidence he’s making the right read is there this year," says the coach. "He’s not hesitating. Last year he was sometimes caught in the stage of overthinking too much and may not have gotten to the spot. This year he’s quick and reacting and not questioning himself." And thus far, Gibson’s first choice has typically been the right choice. "He has excellent recognition," adds Crowston. "He reads from uncovered lineman to (running) back really well and is in the right place at the right time. He’s beating people at the line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage, which is one of our goals at linebacker." Gibson says he has played linebacker since his Pop Warner football days but couldn’t imagine a better group at that position than what the Pirates have up and down the depth chart. "We have some of the best linebackers around," says Gibson, who placed fifth at 189 pounds in last year’s state wrestling tournament. "Bucich is just a beast, and Ben DeCuir is just everywhere. It’s really nice to have guys like that you can rely on because if you don’t, you start abandoning your responsibilities to do theirs. It makes a defense run much smoother when you have linebackers like we have because we’re all playing downhill." And they’re all having fun playing a game they love. "Riley’s just a great kid who loves the game of football," says Crowston. "He loves playing the game, and it’s contagious. He gets out there and is just having the time of his life, and I think the guys enjoy watching him get those big hits. Everybody kinda feeds off that." None more than Gibson. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail Making an impact ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s