Gardner's speed helps New Castle create comeback win

New Castle Highs Kaevon Gardner did not doubt that his football team would walk away with a win on Friday.

Gardner, a senior, helped his team rally back to defeat Knoch, 42-32, in a nonconference home game.

The running back had 18 carries for a total of 192 yards and four touchdowns in the process.

I knew we werent going to lose.

Going into it, we practiced winning all week.

Weve got to win practice before you win in a game and weve done that, Gardner said.

It was the best week of practice we ever had.

In war, everything that can go wrong will go wrong so thats happened out there.

But, we came back and we knew we were going to win.

For his efforts, Gardner was named Lawrence County Athlete of the Week as voted on by the New Castle News sports staff.

Knoch got the jump on New Castle in the first quarter with two field goals and entered the second quarter with a 6-0 lead.

Gardner helped respond for his team in the second quarter with a 10- and 45-yard touchdown.

Going into the first quarter, I was trying; going.

Im trying to get on my feet running, Gardner said.

After the first quarter when I saw they got those little two scores I was like Yeah.

Ive got to step my game up.

In the second quarter, I started to do my thing.

In the third quarter, Gardner had a fumble.

He responded with his longest run of the game, an 80-yard break into the end zone.

I mess up and Ive got to get it back as soon as I can.

As soon as I messed up, I was like You know what? Any time and any chance I get Im getting it, the senior said.

The ball wasnt even supposed to me.

Kyrell (Harris) was trying to pull it and I took it out of his hand.

Thats why it looked a little sloppy.

I just had to make it better so my coach could be happy.

New Castle coach Fred Mozzocio said Garnder had a great performance on Friday.

Its one that I predicted was coming.

We could feel the onslaught coming, Mozzocio said.

Hes been working hard in practice and you can just see him starting to get a better feel for the offense week in and week out.

I know he was frustrated the week before versus Knoch.

I challenged him last week coming into the game to impose himself and his speed on the opponent and he certainly did that.

The son of Tiffany and Kevin Gardner, the 5-foot-11 running back has been playing for 15 years.

He said going into the third grade he was a couch potato.

One day, my mom and dad were like Basketball or football? he recalled.

I thought football would be easier and here I am today.

The Red Hurricane is 4-0 for the first time since 2002.

Weve went through a real love sore, me and my boys this last three years.

Us winning and doing it on our own with our coaches means a lot to us.

Its really great, Gardner said, adding, Its really a whole new perspective.

Practices are completely different.

Weve been taught discipline and instructed discipline.

The energy and the environment are all different.

That New Castle spirit is back.

Gardners speed is unmatched.

He even won a WPIAL Class 3A championship in the 100-meter sprint.

Story continues below video Ive been gifted.

Ive been blessed with my speed, Gardner said.

It factors into football and track.

I always knew I was a little quick and I didnt know how quick until I got on the track.

It does go hand in hand like everyone says.

That speed is a core component of the New Castles dynamic offense.

Were fast everywhere, Gardner said.

If we mess up, were quick enough to get back into place wherever we were supposed to be.

Were disciplined.

Discipline goes a long way.

We were down 14 points and came back.

We didnt get discouraged.

That takes heart and that takes discipline.

Were working mainly on getting into position where we need to be.

Like I said, we have to speed to get to where we need to be.

But, if were already there it makes it a lot more easier.

Thats what weve been working on.

Mozzocio commented on Gardners speed.

What Kaevon does...There may be a lot of people out there that run fast straight ahead.

But, Kaevon can run fast straight ahead and he can cut on a dime, Mozzocio said.

That is very very rare to get a person who can run that fast and cut at the same time.

Thats a rarity in this day and age.

Thats what colleges and coaches look for.

Gardner said he is aiming to hit 1,000 rushing yards for his senior season and make a name for himself in the running back category.

For the team, a championship is always a goal, he said.

The team goal is to play every game hard and as hard as we can to the fullest ability.

Mozzocio said Gardner is first and foremost a great human being.

Hes a great person.

Hes a spiritual young man.

Hes always the guy who we go to for our prayers when we eat dinner and things like that.

Hes very spiritual.

Hes just a polite young man, Mozzocio said.

He never disrespects anybody.

Hes a guy that if he makes a mistake he takes responsibility for it.

You couldnt ask for a better teammate or person to coach.

Hes just the total package.

Hes a quiet guy.

He does it more by actions.

Hes a hard worker, he keeps to himself and he comes ready to prepare and play.

Thats what he brings to the table for us.

The other guys look at him and sort of follow his lead week in and week out.

Gardner said he wants to play football in college and also run track, too, if possible.

But, he isnt looking too far into the future just yet.

Im more of a present person.

Thats how Ive been all my life, Gardner said.

I tend to focus on today.

If I do today good, I wont have to worry about tomorrow.

I try not to look too far ahead.

Ive been talking and looking at a few but as of now not much.

Said Mozzocio on what the future holds for Gardner, I said it about Nate (McKnight) last week and Ill say it about KG this week, these guys are diamonds in the rough.

Theyre under-recruited young men.

When you can run like that and do the things they do with the football, theres a future for them somewhere.

I believe somebody is going to find a diamond in the rough with these guys and theyre going to go on and play college football.

KG is a great student as well..

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