When Josiah Gilbert came out to McNary High School’s football field this fall to battle it out for the starting quarterback position, people expected him to be a pro-style quarterback.
After all, as a strong-arm pitcher for the Celtics’ baseball, he was a first-team all-Greater Valley Conference player as a junior and is known as a college baseball prospect.
But since he’s come out to the football field, Gilbert also has become known for his prowess running the ball.
In Friday’s 24-0 win against Forest Grove he was 12 of 20 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown, but he also rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
This is the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Mid-Valley weekly watch list:
Noah Whitaker, West Salem football: The junior running back rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 56-6 win against North Salem.
Jeremy Labrado, Falls City football: The junior quarterback ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in Friday’s 44-20 loss to Lowell.
Kyle Martz, South Salem football: The senior receiver caught four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 24-14 loss to McMinnville.
Peter Mendazona, Central football: The junior quarterback was 18 for 26 passing for 189 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 21-20 win against Dallas.
Bryce Piete, Regis football: The senior quarterback was 9 for 17 passing for 133 yards and rushed for 27 yards on five carries in Friday’s 15-7 win against Kennedy.
Tanner Earhart, Dallas football: The senior running back rushed for 182 yards and a touchdowns on 27 carries and recorded two tackles for loss, including one sack, in Friday’s 21-20 loss to Central.
Darren Buckley, Silverton football: The senior running back rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 48-21 win against Crescent Valley.
McNary quarterback Josiah Gilbert celebrates a win over North Salem in the season opening-game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at North Salem High School. McNary won the match-up 38-35.