High School Foorball Spotlight: Gavin Carpenter Barnesville High School

I have watched this young man play twice over the last two seasons. At -010-270 something, one might not expect him to move as well as he does. But that was the thing that stuck out to me the most about him. He has the uncanny ability to shed his blocker and get from one side of the field to the other to get his hands on the ball carrier. I think any D-2, D-3, or N.A.I.A. college coach is missing out on him. I expect him to have his best year to date during his senior season and I also expect that a college coach or three will notice him.

1- Heading into your senior season with Barnesville what are you doing during the off-season to help make you a better player?

Lifting mainly, and doing a lot of footwork drills

2- I believe you are listed at 5-10, 275 pounds and you have shown in the times I have watched you guys play that you can overpower the man in front of you. How much does that come from weight lifting?

The weight room is a big part of it my sophomore year I maxed bench 225 and squat 300 and I had like 40 tackles and zero sacks now I lift 265 bench and 450 squats and my stats improved tremendously but a lot comes from fieldwork as well

3- What techniques have you had to work on the most to become the lineman you are?

The most underrated things that people don’t focus on our stance and handwork hand if you can get your hands on the o line before they can get their hands on you that makes it so much easier and the stance when you deliver a blow and knock the other guy back that plays a big role so I work on foot wood hand speed and firings the ball

4- You also kick for the team. How often do you practice kicking and have you been to any kicking camps?

To be honest I only practice kicking once a week in practice and I have never been to a camp I worked when I was in JR high hard on my kicking I had a net in my front yard and kicked at least 50 a day.

5- Do you play any other sports?

I play baseball and I love it.

6- Do you have a certain team you love to be more than others?

For the past three years, it’s been Shenandoah they have just had our number the last three years and it was just a rivalry but this year we beat them at home so now union local is going to be a force this year and they are the main rival so orals always fun to beat them

7- What goals have you set for yourself for the 2021 season?

Last year I was 3rd team all Ohio 1st team easter district 1 st team small school 1st team all times leader and first-team all OVAC so I would love to make it to the first team all Ohio and make the playoffs this year and try to break the 70 tackle mark as I had 69 last year

8- Do you plan on playing football in college?

I’ve said before that I just want to see what kind of offers I get first and go from there but I would love to be given the opportunity

9- Have you heard from any college coaches? If so can you name the schools?

Not at the moment but I know teams know my name so just gotta stay positive

10- What advice would you give that 7th grader, who is thinking about playing football? Just do it because my freshman year I was thinking about not playing and I can say it would have been the worst decision I have ever made I love it and it’s sad that this is the last time I will step on a high school field.

Hudl info
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11503263/Gavin-Carpenter

Twitter
@gmancarp54