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Prep football preview 2017
Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 • The Hays Daily News
Cardinal crusher
Gillum’s growth, goals nothing to laugh at
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LAINVILLE — There’s a desire that consumes Hayden Gillum. It’s the relentless pursuit to grow. It’s the relentless pursuit to improve. It’s the relentless pursuit to get to the next level. So the Plainville senior continues to work, continues to put in the time and effort that’s needed. That desire has helped the behemoth move to a different position defensively while taking on more of a leadership role this year for a team that finished as the Class 2-1A state runner-up a year ago. “It really gives us a good goal, because I know what it was like to be there last year,” Gillum said. “But I think we really have to realize what we have to do to get back to that spot. We’re not where we were last year, but we can very well do that if we do what we did last year.” It’s no secret the Cardinals aren’t the team they were last year. Coach Grant Stephenson lost the bulk of his team’s offensive production as quarterback Hayden Friend and running back Riley Nyp graduated. Friend threw for 2,039 yards and 28 touchdowns while being intercepted only eight times in 2016 as the team went 112, losing to Troy in the title game. Nyp accounted for a team-high 1,539 rushing yards on 205 carries, averaging 118.4 per game while scoring 22 touchdowns. Friend added 1,268 rushing yards and 18 TDs. The Cardinals’ top five receivers also graduated, headlined by Ryan Buresh’s 883 receiving yards and 13 scores. So Plainville isn’t the team it was a year ago. But Gillum isn’t the same player he was a year ago, either. He packed on nearly 40 pounds in the offseason as he worked with Sharp Performance to get to where he needs to be to play college ball. He’s gotten quicker as well, and stronger. “This summer has been a big summer for me,” Gillum said. “I’ve been to a lot of camps and learned a lot — probably more than I have in my whole career in just this last summer.” His growth — and resume the last three years — has him gaining looks from college coaches now. He spent a good portion of the summer attending camps at Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Christian and Wyoming. “They’re all great schools, and a lot of them want to see how I do this season,” Gillum said. “I think it’s pretty exciting. I’d be willing to go to any of those schools. We’ll just have to see how it all works out.” While the Cardinals lost their leadership core last year, Gillum and this year’s seniors will look to fill that void. That’s something Stephenson is ex-
has focused on in the offseason. Working with Sharp Performance helped him gain weight in a healthy way. He followed a strict diet and just didn’t binge on junk food. “I was on a diet, a good diet, and I hit the weights pretty hard during track season,” he said. “I’ve actually gotten faster. That’s the good thing. I wanted to make sure I was putting on good weight over the summer. I didn’t want to get slower. “It was tough, because sometimes I just wanted to eat. But I had to make sure I was eating the right stuff to get me to where I needed to be.” Stephenson said he knew Gillum had a solid chance to continue to grow. After all, his older brother, Hadley, is now 6-5 and weighs 225 pounds while playing basketball at Fort Hays State University. “His brother is pretty big, so I figured he’s not done growing yet,” Stephenson said. “And he’s worked at it, and he’s been around some other big places at camp. He sees how far he has to go to play at those places at the higher level, pecting the senior to embrace. bigger. I can’t wait to see what he does the collegiate level. The size is there, but “He’s the one, too, that I’ve been this year.” preaching the most at about the leaderCasey has grown nearly 25 pounds in there are still some things too.” That brotherly connection is someship role,” the third-year Plainville coach the offseason and spent a good deal of thing Gillum has taken advantage of. said. “Right now, it’s the seniors’ team. I time with Gillum in the offseason. He’s talked with Hadley on numerous told them earlier that they haven’t made “We had a lot of good leadership last occasions about what it takes to play it to the state championship, haven’t year, and something like seven seniors beaten Smith Center or Norton. They left,” Casey said. “I think he’ll definitely collegiately. “Hadley told me if you sign up for haven’t won district. They haven’t won fill the leadership role.” a game yet. This is a whole new season. Gillum is now at 6 foot, 3.5 inches and this, you’ve got to want to do it because it’s a full-time job,” the Plainville senior And it’s about how much they want to weighs nearly 250 pounds. He’s accussaid. “But he said it’s totally worth it. get out of it. Hayden is one of those kids tomed to playing a linebacker spot, but “He’s showed me a lot of what I want that if I can get him on board, the rest will move to a defensive tackle spot this to look for in a program and coaches. will follow. It’s just a matter of getting fall. him and the senior class doing the right Stephenson said he was a little appre- The kind of stuff I want to be around.” That sibling bond also has helped make things and understanding and giving me hensive of moving his top tackler onto Gillum the type of player he is today. all they have for those two hours so the the defensive line, but the transition “I think that’s just the competitive side freshman and sophomores — and all has gone well — thanks to a team-first in me that just comes out,” he said. “I those younger ones — understand that’s approach. just want to win. what they need to do.” “I thought so at the beginning of the “Pretty much since I’ve always been That leadership role is something summer,” Stephenson said. “It might not Gillum has grown into during his time be where he wants to play, or even where little (I’ve been that way). Maybe it’s the brother. I’m not sure.” at Plainville. He played a significant role Jared Casey wants to play, but it comes Not that Gillum doesn’t like basketdefensively as a freshman, leading the down to what’s best for the team. And team with 79 total tackles as the team they bought into it right at the beginning ball, though. He’s played key roles for the Cardinals the last several years as went 3-6. of the summer. I thought they might A year later, as a sophomore, Gillum struggle with that, but they all said, ‘You well on the hardwood. He credits that sport with helping imled the team again with 90 tackles in just put me where you want me to play.’ another 3-6 campaign. That’s great as a coach to hear. Because prove his footwork on the football field. “I’ve always loved football,” Gillum Last year, in the school’s run to the even though they might play someplace said. “I’m a physical guy, and I think I state title game, Gillum totaled 97 tackles else at the collegiate level, they’re not love that aspect of football better. I like as a linebacker. there yet and here’s where we need you the contact sport more.” “That’s the main thing,” Gillum said. as a team to be successful right now. For now, the senior is focused on his “We had a meeting the other day about They understand that, which is great.” final prep season and working toward being leaders and pushing it down to the Gillum said his coach has made the getting his team back to where they were next group so it just keeps carrying down transition easy. a year ago while having some fun. to keep building the foundation.” “Coach is all about keeping us doing “That’s the main thing,” he said. One of the younger players expected our jobs,” Gillum said. “I think that’s the to follow in his footsteps is Jared Casey. main thing. He’s got us doing all the little “I’m still in high school, and I have another year. That’s really what I’m Now a sophomore, Casey has packed things in practice. We’ve been reflecting on pounds as well and grown in height. on what we did last year to get there be- focused on right now — being the best I can be for my team. Then after the He’ll be manning a middle-linebacker cause we didn’t get there overnight. We season, I’m more than happy to be able spot on the stalwart defense. all just started doing the little stuff and to choose where I want to go and then “He’s smart on the field,” Casey said breaking down film. Every little detail go that route. But for now, it’s about my about Gillum. “He knows what he’s gets you there.” team.” doing all the time. He’s also gotten a lot Those details are something Gillum
story and photos by nick schwien