St. Martinville – Stepping into a new role as the starting quarterback for the St. Martinville Senior High Tigers, junior Christian Gedward wanted to be the player putting out the most effort on the team.
New SMSH head coach James Dartez noticed the time the former defensive back put in over the summer for the Tigers.
“First off, he’s shown me tremendous effort as far as his work ethic,” Dartez said. “He was a starting cornerback and made great plays for this team last year. He swallowed his pride and put his ego to the side and said we don’t have a quarterback, and I want to help my team in that aspect. The fact that he was selfless enough to put his goals to the side to make sure he leads the team is great.
“What I’m looking for out of Christian is consistency and leadership. The quarterback position we know is one of the most important positions in the sport, and we need that constant leadership and somebody that’s willing to sacrifice for the team. He’s already put that in to show that he’s willing to put the team before himself. If we get that consistent work that he’s been showing all summer, he’ll be just fine.”
The transition was a matter of work for Gedward.
“I just had to push,” Gedward said. “I’m a grinder. I just keep working. I just had the most effort on the team, I feel like. I just wanted to be there.”
The mental change wasn’t too difficult, he said, after playing free safety in the past, which is like the quarterback of the defense.
“Really just having the ball in my had and be able to make plays,” Gedward said of the difference.
Dartez said that Gedward will be called upon as a passer first.
“I’ve never been one to run my quarterback a whole, whole lot,” the coach said. “I’d rather him sit back and distribute the ball and be the leader. I’d rather keep my guy upright. But there’s going to be situations where it’s going to be called for him to run. He’s a dynamic athlete. He had a couple of punt returns for touchdowns. So we know that in the open field he’s a handful.
“But we want to keep him upright. We want to keep him protected, because he has a good arm. He has a dag gone good arm. So we want to give him a chance to distribute the ball in our offense and take those opportunities to use his legs when he has to.”
Gedward knows what his role will be.
“I just want to be able to handle the offense, and keep the offense steady,” he said. “Don’t really rush, don’t force anything. Just keep working.”
Having a strong rushing game around him with a good offensive line should help open up the passing game, he said.
“If they’re worried about the running back, we’re just going to hit them with a pass,” he said.
Gedward has enjoyed the new coach.
“It’s been great,” he said. “Coach really cares about us. He takes care of us like his own. I love him.”
Gedward said he feels the Tigers have the kind of team that can get to the Superdome for the state finals.
He doesn’t expect to play on defense this season unless the Tigers need him to do so in the postseason.
“Maybe in the playoffs,” he said.
JUNIOR QB — Christian Gedward, a former starter in the defensive backfield, is taking over at quarterback for the Tigers this season as a junior. New coach James Dartez said his role will be primarily as a passer, and praised his new starter’s throwing arm and athletic ability. (Chris Landry)
