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Just put him inthere
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
LAND O'LAKES -- John Benedetto likes to see Eddy Gibbs on the field. The Land O'Lakes coach likes the balance Gibbs' running gives his offense, likes the big-play potential Gibbs presents every time he gets the ball. As much as anything else, Benedetto likes being able to hear himself think. "It's better when he's in the game, because when he's on the sidelines, he's in my ear constantly," Benedetto said. " 'Coach! Put me in! I can do this. I'll score a touchdown. Throw me a pass. I can get open. Put me on defense. I'll intercept the pass. Put me on extra-point team. I'll block the kick. I can block this punt.' Constantly. He's better off in the ballgame." His presence on the field has offered more than a quiet sideline, however. His 552 regular-season rushing yards ranked him sixth in the county. His average of 8.5 yards per carry was better than all five backs ahead of him. He's averaged 25.4 yards on five catches and has nine touchdowns. All this from a kid who wasn't the starter until the fifth game of the season. Gibbs took over when fellow junior Chris Perez was lost for the season with a knee injury. Perez had eight touchdowns and 269 yards, and his absence threatened to allow defenses to key on stopping the Gators' passing attack. But Gibbs had an 8-yard touchdown after Perez went down, helping Land O'Lakes escape with a win over Pasco. Benedetto said he was lucky to have two capable running backs at his disposal. "Eddy was Chris' backup mainly because Chris had the experience and Chris was doing such a great job that Eddy was being used as a spot player," Benedetto said. "But we didn't have any doubt to use him when Chris went down, and he's filled in magnificently. He's quick as lightning, plays well without the football and he's a threat to make big plays anytime he gets into the secondary." Gibbs has a confidence that belies his 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame, knowing opponents will look at his build and underestimate him. "I love being the smallest guy, going up to big fellas and knocking them out," said Gibbs, who also has 10 tackles as a defensive back. Perez and Gibbs will give the Gators two of the county's top returning running backs next season. Perez, who has not played in more than two months, is still a part of the team, attending the team dinner on Thursdays and cheering on the sidelines each Friday. Gibbs has tried to make the most of this season's opportunity, even if it comes at a friend's expense. "I felt bad for Chris, but I was also excited, knowing I'd finally get my shot," Gibbs said. "You see it in his eyes: We've gone this far, and he wishes he was there with us." As for the nonstop sideline lobbying, Gibbs said it's more than just get-me-in-the-game pleading. Blocking on passing downs allows him to survey the defense and pick up mismatches, which he's eager to pass along to Benedetto. And just as he wants to play every down, Gibbs doesn't want to wait for the Gators to host to Melbourne Palm Bay in the school's first region final. "I just wish today was Friday, because I'm ready to go," Gibbs said. "Whoever we're playing, I just want to be out there knocking heads."
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From today's Pasco Times |
