Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
James Gibson
NAME: James Gibson
PARENTS: William and Amy Gibson
SIBLINGS: I have two brothers and two sisters; from youngest to oldest is John Paul, Andrew, Lexie and Violet. John Paul is 4, Andrew is 6, Lexie’s 14 and Violet is 17.
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: History
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? To be quite honest, I don’t have a lot of spare time. I like to play video games and spend time with my girl.
FAVORITE FOOD: Chinese
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Linkin Park
FAVORITE MOVIE: Braveheart
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Bones
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? A football
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I’m set to report to AIT, my job training for the military, on June 5. I went to basic this summer.
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? I’d have to say my step-dad Jason Sears. He was Army as well. My coaches, definitely; they’ve had a big impact on my life. Whatever coach gives a speech before a game, it really clicks.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT FOOTBALL? I like to hit people.
POSITION: I play special teams mostly, kickoff and punt block.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE IS YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE FIELD? On kickoff, I’m supposed to break down, make sure the guy doesn’t get past me and, if I get a chance to hit him, put him on the ground.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? Pretty good; a lot of people are saying, well, you know you all aren’t doing that great this year. Then again, they said the same thing and we turned it right around. My biggest thing is, if people aren’t down there playing, if they don’t know the game very well, you don’t have much you can say, you don’t know what it’s like.
WHEN THE TEAM’S PLAYING WELL, WHAT’S THE KEY TO THAT? Really, motivation; if the guys come off the field to the sideline, if you have a water bottle, give it to them and say, ‘Keep your head up. Here you go, sit down, take a drink.’ You need to help your teammates and I try doing that.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON SO FAR? Definitely, the Salt Bowl; senior year; we haven’t lost the Salt Bowl yet since I’ve been here so I’m pretty psyched out about that.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THE TEAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL THE REST OF THE SEASON? Focus. We’ve got to stay focused.
INDIVIDUALLY, WHAT ABOUT YOUR GAME ARE YOU MOST CONFIDENT ABOUT? Really, if I get a hold of somebody I don’t let them go. If I can get my hands on someone and actually get a good, firm grasp on them, I don’t let them go.
WHAT DO YOU WORK HARDEST TO IMPROVE? I just try working hard, not only at my position but, hey, if coach needs me to do something, I try to do it full speed, full tilt.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH PLAYING FOOTBALL AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? Most of all, I think I’m just going to remember that I was a part of that group that a lot of people said we weren’t that great but, hey, we could surprise them.
