Cleveland.com
8/25
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Shaker's Math tries to solve problems with Euclid's Gibson
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Eddie Dwyer
Plain Dealer Reporter
Shaker Heights senior quarter back Alex Math did not hesitate for a second when asked what problems an offense encounters when matched against Thaddeus Gibson, Euclid High's relentless pass-rusher.
"You have to do a little game planning around him," Math said. "You have to know where he is, on every play."
Entering his second season as the Raiders' starting signal-caller, Math shares the same philosophy Euclid coach Mike Rezzolla has been preaching the last two seasons -- "teams must prepare blocking schemes just for Thaddeus."
Now the center of every opposing offense's attention, Gibson was a talent rival coaches and college scouts were unaware of just a few years ago.
Having never played football until he enrolled at Euclid as a ninth-grader, Gibson was recognized by Rezzolla and his staff as a raw talent with limitless potential.
As just a sophomore, Gibson had nine sacks, 10 other tackles for losses and 22 quarterback hurries. The 6-3, 210- pound outside linebacker/defensive end followed up with 17 sacks in 2004 and is regarded by several scouts and preseason football publications as one of the top three players in Ohio.
What is Math's approach when he faces Gibson, whom he will again play against this season in Week 6? "Sometimes a little deception, here and there," Math said. "We like to make him run around a little bit by doing things from different sides, with different formations. But as a linebacker, he walks up to the line and then sometimes drops [into pass coverage]. It's tough to pick up every now and then, especially being a shorter quarterback."
At 5-11 and 175 pounds, Math is definitely not short on athletic ability. And no one knows that better than Gibson.
In Shaker Heights' 20-13 victory over Euclid last fall, Math scored the game's first points on a 24-yard run. He finished his junior season with more than 1,000 yards passing, 11 touchdown passes, eight rushing touchdowns and five interceptions. Gibson had one of those interceptions.
"You have to play the play," is the way Gibson put it when discussing Math's ability to hurt a defense with his arm and his legs. When competing against double-threat quarterbacks like Math, Gibson emphasized, you have to focus on the ball.
"You can't just read his eyes," Gibson said.
Although Math will try to do everything he can to make it two in a row over Gibson and the Panthers on Sept. 30, he put in perspective the status and respect Gibson has achieved.
"You always want to beat him," Math said. "Down the road, you want to be able to say, I scored a touchdown off Thaddeus.' "
http://www.cleveland.com/hsfootball...6910.xml&coll=2
Can you hear the thunder?
Thursday, August 25, 2005
A fierce pass-rusher, Euclid High's Thaddeus Gibson not only has the strength, but also the range and quickness college scouts covet. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at LSU's camp and in the words of one big-time college coach: "just explodes off the snap."
Gibson is one of the most sought-after linebackers in the nation. Ohio State and Michigan are among his scholarship offers. Gibson, who plays power forward on Euclid's basketball team, competed at the University of Southern California camp this summer.
An All-Ohio, all-district, All-LEL and Plain Dealer All-Star selection in 2004, Gibson always enjoys a late-night, peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich - after doing 150 push-ups.
You do the math
Shaker Heights' Alex Math is not only a savvy quarterback, but also one of the premier baseball players in the area. The middle infielder and leadoff hitter batted .517 last spring and became the first player in the Raiders' rich baseball history to hit over .500.
A 2004 all-district and All-LEL selection in football, Math helped the Raiders to the Lake Division championship last fall and a spot in the big-school playoffs. He ran the fourth-fastest 40 time (4.48 electronic) among more than 400 athletes competing at the invitation-only Nike football camp at Michigan.
