Name: Luke Gatewood
Year: senior
Hometown: Hinsdale
When did you first start playing football?
My freshman year. Coach (Tom) Dodd, the freshman coach, recruited me and a bunch of others guys on the team called me out. I've loved it ever since.
What do you enjoy most about the sport?
We have a family built at Hinsdale Central. All the guys, we have mutual respect for each other. The hard work that goes into the game is something I've grown to love over the past four years.
How has it felt to crush the competition so far this season?
It's felt great. As a team, we've worked so hard, and it's nice to see the results of the hard work we've been doing since October 2019. We've got to keep working hard because we've got some hard games coming up.
How have you improved since your freshman year?
I've worked a lot harder at the craft. I've learned new techniques and skills. I think I am a lot stronger, a lot more physical and a lot faster - and that all helps.
What type of a leader do you try to be?
I try to lead by example. I think if you show other people that you are doing something, they will follow.
What is the best advice you've gotten from a coach?
Going into the fall, we didn't know if we would have a season. My O-line coach, Coach (Ryan) McHugh, reiterated that you have to be a champion in whatever you can be.
What is your goal for the season?
To be All-Conference and then it's to go 6-0 as a team. That has kind of been our goal since we got out of the playoffs. Win everything you can and be the champions of whatever you can be. That has been our goal for this whole weird COVID year.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I collect vinyls.
Why does Coach Brian Griffin like having Luke on the team?
Because of the intangibles he brings: his positive attitude, hard work and consistency. Luke has put in an incredible amount of time to make himself a better football player and has also put in time to make himself a better person. He is a leader in how he approaches practice and games - the type of kid programs are built on.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo
by Jim Slonoff
