By Rubin E. Grant
Mountain Brook junior running back Cole Gamble began the 2022 high school football season splitting time in the backfield with Jack King and Will Waldrop.
“We hope to keep each of them fresh,” Spartans coach Chris Yeager said before the season. “They allow us to run schemes using two backs at a time or three at a time.”
But midway through the season, Gamble emerged as the Spartans’ primary ballcarrier, becoming a workhorse.
That was never more evident than in the state playoffs when he rushed for 1,031 yards and 18 touchdowns on 121 carries – averaging 8.5 yards per carry – in five games as Mountain Brook finished as Class 6A runners-up with a 12-3 record.
“You sort of go with the hot hand, and he turned out to be the guy,” Yeager said.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Gamble finished the season as the Spartans’ most prolific running back since Mountain Brook legend Major Ogilvie. Gamble rushed for 2,180 yards, averaging, 8.2 yards per carry, and 39 touchdowns. He had 2,388 all-purpose yards.
For his performance, Gamble was chosen the 2022 All-OTM Offensive Player of the Year in voting by Over-the-Mountain football coaches.
“That’s truly a blessing,” Gamble said. “I really appreciate it because there are a lot of good backs and good players around. I’m glad they chose me.”
Gamble gave credit to his teammates, including King and Waldrop, and his coaches for his productivity.
“Those are two really good backs,” he said. “If I needed a blow, they could come in. And obviously the offensive line was awesome and our coaches put me in a great position with our game plans. It was just a matter of trusting our schemes, my teammates and the coaches.
“I got better as the season went along, watching film of games and practices and correcting my mistakes.”
Gamble said he became a more decisive runner this season.
“When I saw an opening, I just put my foot in the ground and took off,” he said.
Yeager said Gamble’s ability to run and his 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard is what made him so effective.
“He’s got a burst and he has a knack for taking very small seams and making a lot of out of them. He processes things so fast and then just goes.
“He’s a smooth runner, but he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and take on guys.”
By the end of the season, most the shiny gold paint on Gamble’s helmet had chipped off.
“I liked that a lot,” Gamble said of his discolored helmet. “It was like battle scars for all my tough runs.”
Gamble was held to only 75 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown in Mountain Brook’s 38-17 loss to Saraland in the Class 6A championship game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.
Despite the defeat, Gamble was able to hold his head high in the aftermath.
“It’s tough getting there and not winning, but I’m proud of our team,” he said. “It was a special season for sure.”
All-OTM Offense Roster
Gamble heads the 2022 All-OTM Offense. He is joined by three of his Mountain Brook teammates, wide receiver Clark Sanderson (53 receptions for 955 yards and 8 TDs) and linemen Davis Peterson and Mac Smith.
Homewood landed three players on the offense, including senior quarterback Woods Ray. Ray passed for 2,677 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 812 yards and 11 TDs as the Patriots finished 10-3 and reached the Class 6A quarterfinals before losing 57-56 in overtime to Saraland.
The other Patriots on the squad are receiver Jackson Parris (80 receptions for 1,288 yards and 13 TDs) and lineman Jaxon Brooks.
Hoover and Vestavia Hills had two players each voted to the team. Representing the Bucs are running back LaMarion McCammon (858 yards rushing and 11 TDs) and place-kicker Peyton Argent (34 of 35 extra points and 8 of 9 field goals).
The Rebels’ representatives are wide receiver Keown Richardson (45 receptions for 602 yards and 5 TDs) and lineman Glen Porter.
Briarwood’s 6-foot-7, 275 junior lineman Luke Schultz rounds out the team.
