LAKOTA – What makes Nelson County’s offense click, you might ask?
Well, you could go with a variety of answers. Quarterback Jaxon Baumgarn could be one possible remedy. Signal-calling duties start and end with the quarterback, of course. Being a critical communicator brings importance, not to mention pedigree. One could also point to the offensive line. After all, they provide protection, allow passing time in the pocket and open up the rushing lanes.
Another possible answer could be from a player who helps dictate the pace through the sheer volume of work he puts up on a game-by-game basis: Zachary Gibson.
After another close poll that came down to the wire, the junior running back/cornerback is this week’s Athlete of the Week.
There was no denying that Gibson was bound to carry the ball more than a handful of times this past weekend. This volume – and what he did with said volume – stood out the most during Nelson County’s Sept. 16 contest against North Border. Despite damp conditions, Gibson held onto the ball with authority and rushed for 260 yards on 42 attempts. Gibson added to the rushing performance with four rushing touchdowns. Gibson capped off the effort with three receptions for 32 receiving yards.
Heading into the 2022 season, Gibson knew his role would be significant. Filling Garrett Haakenson’s shoes (who tallied 12 rushing touchdowns last season) would have been reason enough. But adding in the experience factor only heightened his intangible worth even more.
Fast forward to late September, and that message has remained the same. And while the Chargers lost their Sept. 16 game against North Border, 44-38, the former will still rely on their junior rusher to show his physical force for the stretch run.
The Devils Lake Journal hosts the “Athlete of the Week” contest weekly. Athletes nominated for the award are based on the athlete’s performance from the prior week. Ballot nominations are submitted by coaches from Saturday morning to Monday at 10:00 a.m. CDT. Finalist voting starts Monday at noon and ends Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. CDT. The ballot winner will be featured in a profile for the publication.
The following programs can nominate an athlete for the award: Lake Region State College, Devils Lake, Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich (Football, Volleyball), Cavalier (Football), Larimore (Football), Midway/Minto (Football), Nelson County (Football, Volleyball), North Border (Football), Benson County (Football, Volleyball), Four Winds/Minnewaukan (Football, Volleyball), New Rockford-Sheyenne (Football, Volleyball), North Prairie (Football, Volleyball), North Star (Football, Volleyball), Dunseith (Volleyball), Harvey/Wells County (Volleyball), Rolette (Volleyball) or St. John (Volleyball).
Voting results:
– Zachary Gibson, RB, Nelson County: 32.3% (21 votes)
– Trenton Cosley, RB/CB, North Border: 27.7% (18 votes)
– Sterling Enerson, QB, Cavalier: 21.5% (14 votes)
– Blake Mattson, RB/DB, North Prairie: 18.5% (12 votes)
John Crane is a sports/general assignment reporter for the Devils Lake Journal. Feel free to contact John via work phone (701-922-1372), cell phone (701-230-4339), email (jcrane@gannett.com), Instagram (johnbcranesports) or Twitter (@johncranesports) with any story ideas.
