Season preview: Gar-Field Indians

By Robert Daski

Published: August 27, 2008

Tom Gryder makes his players come together before practice. They bounce up and down and scream and yell to build their excitement and adrenaline.

It is Gryder’s way of creating a festive mood, his reminder that time on the field must be filled with enthusiasm.

“Coach G really brings an atmosphere that was never there,” Gar-Field running back Bryce Miller said. “We get pumped before practice.
“We usually don’t get pumped before practice. We usually get pumped before games. He’s always trying to keep us hyped.”

All fun aside, Gryder is settling into his first head-coaching job after four years as Woodbridge’s offensive coordinator. He is installing his schemes and making sure players familiarize themselves with what he and the other new coaches ask of them.

“One of the most difficult things is to get the kids to get on the same page with the new terminology,” Gryder said. “The expectations are a give-and-take with them getting accustomed to us and us getting accustomed to them.

“In some regards, there’s a lot more teaching this year because that’s what we have to do. You’re starting from ground zero and moving up from there. That in itself makes it a little bit difficult.”

But Gryder cannot complain about his team’s work ethic. He sees players willing to learn and buy into his philosophy.

Some find the transition to Gryder’s offense from former coach Joe Mangano’s seamless.

“It’s easy,” Miller said. “It’s not too much of a jump. The plays we do are similar to the ones we did last year. They’re not too different.”
The tempo, Miller said, is faster. The new offense requires players to move the ball quicker downfield.

But the Indians have the personnel to get yards efficiently. Miller averaged 5.8 yards per carry last year. He rushed for over 100 yards in eight of his first nine games. Running back De’Vonte Piggott (33 carries, 195 yards, 5.9 yards per carry) returns. Quarterback Aaron
Jackson, a junior, threw for over 100 yards in the final three games last year.

If the running game continues to progress and Jackson throws more touchdowns and reduces his 14 interceptions, a return to the Northwest Region title game and a trip beyond is possible. 

How far Gar-Field goes also depends on how players carry out their assignments and not give the ball away.

“It comes down to execution in the game,” Gryder said. “If we execute, secure the ball and not make mental mistakes, we’ll put ourselves in situations where we can be successful and keep the game simple.”

And fun too.

Team info
2007 record: 7-5
Offensive look: Multiple
Defensive look: 4-3, 3-4
Returning starters: 6 (offense); 5 (defense)
Last playoff appearance: 2007
Overall record last five years: 24-30
Speed merchant: Junior RB Bryce Miller (5-6, 175) ran for 1,520 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He rushed for 207 yards on 24 carries against Freedom on Oct. 29.
Powerhouse performer: Reggie Dingle (5-10, 195), a junior fullback, squats 465 pounds and bench presses 345 pounds. He also power cleans 200 pounds.
Blue collar special: Senior center David Yoder (6-0, 205). He returns to anchor the offensive line. “He gives great effort and he’s a great leader,” coach Tom Gryder said.
Other key returners:  TE/LB Ernest Adjei (6-0, 215, sr.); OL/DL Mike Jenkins (6-2, 285, sr.); OL/OL Taylor Modlin (6-1, 325, sr.); TE/DL Edwin Salgado (6-0, 225, sr.); RB/LB Tavon Town (5-10, 205, sr.); QB Aaron Jackson (6-2, 185, jr.); FB/LB C.J. Johnson (5-10, 215, jr.); K A.J. Painter (5-8, 150, jr.); WR/OLB Austin Copeland (6-1, 195, so.); RB/DB De’Vonte Piggott (5-10, 175, so.)
n Promising newcomers: WR/DB Domonique Campbell (5-9, 150, jr.); WR/DB John Portee (WR/DB, so.); WR/DB Dachaun Robertson (6-1, 180, so.)
Head coach
Tom Gryder
Age: 32
Year as Gar-Field’s head coach: 1st
Overall Record at Gar-Field: 0-0
Coaching background: Assistant coach, Harrisonburg H.S., 1998; assistant coach, Spotswood H.S., 1999; assistant coach, Gar-Field H.S., 2000-03; assistant coach,
Woodbridge H.S., 2004-07.
Teaches: U.S. History, U.S. Government
Family: Wife Rachael, son A.J., daughter Abby
SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Aug. 29 at Colonial Forge
Sept. 5 North Stafford
Sept. 12 Battlefield
Sept. 19 at Osbourn Park
Oct. 3 Freedom
Oct. 10 Hylton
Oct. 17 at Potomac
Oct. 24 at Freedom
Oct. 31 at Forest Park
Nov. 7 Woodbridge