By Gary Lloyd
PINSON — His numbers have more than steadily increased each of Nick Gibson’s three-year career at Pinson Valley.
As a freshman, the running back carried the ball 66 times for 581 yards and five touchdowns. As a sophomore, he rushed 137 times for 938 yards and eight scores. As a junior last season, he rushed a whopping 293 times for an even more whopping 2,205 yards and a stellar 27 touchdowns.
Gibson, the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A Back of the Year last season, will likely put up flashy stats again as a senior, even accounting for the jump to Class 6A. But Gibson is thinking about others.
“I’ve been playing here ever since I was in seventh grade and all my years at Pinson have been great,” Gibson said. “I just want to show Pinson and our community that I really appreciate them. Hopefully we’ll win state.”
The new Class 6A, Region 6 might be the best region for running backs in the state. Along with Gibson, Clay-Chalkville’s Terrelle West and Shades Valley’s Keith Mixon have been highly recruited. Gibson said he thinks Pinson Valley has the hardest schedule of any Class 6A team. The 10 teams the Indians face this season combined for a 73-41 record in 2013.
“We just try to get 1 percent better every day, come out here and work as hard as we possibly can and just improve day by day,” said Gibson, a Mississippi State verbal commitment.
Gibson said new offensive coordinator Jon Clements is a “brilliant guy,” the smartest play-caller he’s worked with.
“I think he could be an offensive coordinator with an NFL team,” Gibson said.
Pinson Valley head coach Matt Glover said he thinks Gibson has picked up some leadership qualities this offseason. He leads stretches, and he’s one of the hardest workers in the weight room.
“That’s the type of leader I want,” Glover said.
Glover said Gibson hasn’t let the recruiting whirlwind that’s surrounded him the last year or so affect him.
“He’s a real humble kid,” Glover said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.