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Monday, September 1, 2008
A Pioneering Bond
Western Arkansas, AR
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By: Daniel Stave
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Photo(s) By: Kim Singer
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Gentry’s Ramseys see eye-to-eye from opposite sides of the ball
There is a special bond between the defensive coordinator and quarterback at Gentry High, and it’s not because Pioneers’ offensive force Caleb Ramsey spends time playing safety as well as signal-calling.
It’s not because the defensive coordinator coached the offense at Oakdale Junior High in Rogers in 2006 when Ramsey led the team to a 9-1 record. It’s not because the man was Oakdale’s head coach the previous year.
This bond goes beyond studying how an opponent defends a quarterback draw, and is bigger than the lights shining brightly each Friday night in fall. The defensive coordinator is Daniel Ramsey, Caleb’s father.
“Their father-son relationship is as strong as you would expect,” said Gentry coach Brian Little. “Coach Ramsey has four kids, and he’s a family man. He pushes them, he expects the most out of them.”
The Ramsey’s moved to Gentry prior to last season when Little—previously the offensive coordinator at Rogers—was hired to get the struggling Gentry program back on track.
“The fear is that I’m tougher on him than the other kids because he’s my son,” Daniel Ramsey said. “He’s got a lot on his plate. I understand he’s going to make some mistakes, I’ll be behind him when he does.”
Coaching the offense, Little works more closely with Caleb on the field. “Brian has taken the reigns some,” Daniel Ramsey said. “He knows what he’s doing; he’s great with the kids.”
Daniel Ramsey admitted it can be hard to see his son being instructed harshly—as football coaches have a tendency to do—but he doesn’t let it affect his job.
“He doesn’t change his focus from working with the defense,” Little said of his defensive coordinator. “He lets us take care of the offense. He trusts our relationship.”
Daniel Ramsey has seen the time Little has put in to get to know the typically quiet Caleb Ramsey. The two have spent extra time talking away from the field and have also taken fishing trips together.
Daniel Ramsey doesn’t mind the space as his relationship with Caleb progresses toward a bigger stage.
“That separation is good as it becomes more public,” he said.
The team struggled in the new system last year, losing six of its first seven games. But players continued to work, and welcomed positive results by the end of the season, winning two of their last three games.
Caleb Ramsey is one of the primary reasons for that optimism. He seemed to find his niche running Little’s offense, throwing for 2,000 yards and running for nearly 800 more last season.
And expectations have soared to new heights heading into this fall.
“I know everything better,” he said. “I know my receivers better; I know how to read a defense better. I can put the ball where it needs to be.”
As Caleb Ramsey continues to grow as a quarterback, his status among his teammates also grows.
“We’re looking to Caleb to become a leader,” his father said. “That’s part of being a quarterback.”
It’s a different type of challenge for Caleb Ramsey, according to Dad.
“He’s competitive but quiet,” Daniel Ramsey said. “He doesn’t vocalize as much.”
Caleb is not the only Ramsey that will be wearing a varsity uniform next year. Ethan, a sophomore, is expected to start at defensive end and will also see action at running back, joining his older brother in the backfield.
Football has created a special opportunity for the Ramsey’s.
“To be able to watch him day-to-day, getting to share his high school life with him,” Daniel Ramsey said. “It’s one of the best blessings God has ever given me.”
FAST FACTS:
Player: Caleb Ramsey
Position: Quarterback
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 170 pounds
Favorite NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
Favorite Football Memory: Defeating Huntsville 25-20 in the 2006 season finale. “We really executed the offense. We finally got it all together,” Caleb said.
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