It's a good thing Gatto listened
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The Steubenville Herald-Star

WEIRTON - Believe it or not, there was a time when Jason Gatto didn't have much use for football - basketball and baseball were his greatest desires. However, the incessant nagging of other interested parties - including quarterback Brandon Sperlazza - got to Gatto.

The change of heart has turned out to be a boon to him, Sperlazza and Red Riders' program in general. Opposing teams have come to know that all too well.

"I had quite playing football when I came to Weir High, but people kept bugging me to play. They thought I could help them out, so last year I said 'why not?,'" Gatto said.

Despite the fundamental shift in Weir's offense more toward the run after the takeover of coach Eric Meek this season, Gatto still has 12 touchdown catches. During the second-round playoff victory against Scott, Gatto's 16th touchdown catch set a Weir High career record.

"I think about it now as being important, but going into the game I had no idea at all that I was even close," Gatto said.

On the season Gatto has 29 receptions for 722 yards, while Sperlazza has passed for 1,117 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Sperlazza expounded on the relationship between himself and his favorite target.

"Jason always seems to find the open space, and he even jumps over defenders to get open. Last week (in a 22-7 victory against Wayne County), he didn't get many looks because they were double, and even triple-teaming him," Sperlazza said.

"Even that helps out the team. With so many defenders on Jason the middle of the field was wide open, and we took advantage of that."

The two developed their working relationship even further by an intense series of workouts during the summer. Their success in a Pitt passing game raised eyebrows.

"We against live defenses, and did pretty well. We beat a couple of state championship squads and lost in the semifinals. It was just a two-day thing, but it really helped," Gatto said.

Sperlazza's abilities have not diminished in any way from last season when he threw for 23 touchdowns and nearly 1,400 yards. In a more wide-open, quick-strike offense Sperlazza, and even Gatto, would both surely have more impressive numbers in 2005 than they do now.

But given that scenario, would the Red Riders be playing Bluefield for a West Virginia Class AA state title Friday night?

"Everyone has a role to play on this team, that's what makes football such a great game. It's the ultimate team sport. Without the blocking of the fullback or the work of the offensive linemen then Brandon can't make a pass or run, neither can our running backs preform. Without Jason and the other receivers opening up the field the running backs' have a harder time. Even on defense it's the same," Meek said.

Despite Meek favoring the run - as Corey Lyons, Josh Smith and Sperlazza have combined for nearly 3,400 yards rushing - the added threat of Sperlazza to Gatto for a long gain or even a touchdown only makes the offense more perplexing of a problem for Bluefield coach Fred Simon.

"How do you stop that many weapons with that kind of speed? Maybe someone could tell me," said Simon with a chuckle. "Seriously, you have to force their offense to slow down, but even then it all comes down to winning on the line of scrimmage. In the end it's about fundamentals, but that's easy to say and hard to do."

The hype for Friday's final continues to build. Imaginations, even anxieties, are running wild. After two straight playoff losses to Bluefield, the general feeling is a need for vindication.

"I'm so impressed with the team because the players are unselfish, that's how we got to where we are," Meek said.

Weir High and Bluefield will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wheeling Island Stadium.