<div>GILBERT – The Gilbert Middle School football program was forced to fold midway into the 2023 season due to a lack of numbers.But this fall, things look to be different for the Lions as Gilbert has more athletes out for the team and added depth.Things look to be on the up and up for the Lions and Coach Jamie Hatfield. Gilbert was scheduled to open up the season on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Pike Central, Ky.“We only had 13 kids last year and we had three that got hurt and we had to fold about halfway through the season,” Coach Hatfield said. “This year, we have 24 players out and we have a lot of good skilled players and kids who want to play ball. I've not had this many kids since probably about 2017. We have a really good group of kids and they work together. Most of them are seventh-graders. We do have a few eighth-graders and a few sixth-graders. A lot of these players have played together all through Little League.”Gilbert has two quarterbacks who will be looking to see action in Drake Kennedy and Brody Hatfield.“Both of them are really good quarterbacks,” Coach Hatfield said.Brody Vernnater will also be key for the Lions as a running back.“He's probably my quickest kid. He's a really good ball player,” Hatfield said. “He's a hard hitter and doesn't care to tackle. We expect big things out of him.”Colton Queen will also see time at running back for the Lions as will Bentley Thomas.“Bentley is tough. If you don't hit him you are not going to put him down,” Coach Hatfield said.Gilbert has talent at wide receiver with Kaleb Ellis and Kaiden Kirk.“Both are really fast and have good hands,” Coach Hatfield said.Jordan Bragg, Chase Grimmett are back to anchor the Lions' offensive line.“We also have some more linemen who have never played ball before that are looking pretty good,” Coach Hatfield said.On defense, Jackson Wilson will be one of the keys for Gilbert at his linebacker post.“He's a real good tackler and a real good ball player,” Coach Hatfield said.Cruz Toler is another member of Gilbert's defense who will be projected to see action along with Kennedy and Brody Hatfield. Vernatter will also play Iron Man football on the defensive side of the ball at safety.Ellis and Kirk are two other projected two-way players for the Lions as well as Thomas, who is an inside linebacker.Grimmett will also double on the defensive line, and Jeremiah Cline, a first-year player with size, will also see action on the D-line.Rounding out the Gilbert roster are: Elijah Daniels; Braycen Likens; Kainan Endicott; Mark Browning; Braylen Cline; Bryson Cantrell; Isiah Daniels; Thad Ward; Braycen Hatfield; Hunter Cantrell; Jacob Hatfield; and Braxton Toler.After this week's opener, Gilbert heads to Belfry, Ky., on Sept. 9 to take on the Pirates.Gilbert has its home opener on Sept. 19 vs. Matewan, then heads to Lenore on Sept. 26.After the Oct. 3 bye week, the Lions host Williamson on Oct. 10, and then play Belfry again on Oct. 14 but at home this time, in the regular season finale.–2024 Gilbert Middle SchoolFootball Schedule:Sept. 5 at Pike Central, Ky., 7 p.m.Sept. 9: at Belfry, Ky., 7 p.m.Sept. 19: Matewan, 7 p.m.Sept. 26: at Lenore, 7 p.m.Oct. 3: BYE WEEKOct. 10: Williamson, 7 p.m.Oct. 14: Belfry, Ky., 7 p.m.Oct. 24: Mingo County semifinals, 7 p.m.Oct. 29: Mingo County championship game (at Mingo Central), 7 p.m.–Gilbert Middle SchoolFootball Roster:NO. NAME1/58 Drake Kennedy2 Kaleb Ellis5/50 Brody Hatfield7 Elijah Daniels9/60 Braycen Likens19 Brody Vannatter14 Kainan Endicott15 Colton Queen18 Mark Browning20 Bentley Thomas24 Cruz Toler30 Braylen Cline33 Kaiden Kirk38 Bryson Cantrell40 Isiah Daniels52 Jordan Bragg54 Jaxon Wilson55 Thad Ward56/25 Braycen Hatfield 57 Chase Grimmitt68 Hunter Cantrell70 Jacob Hatfield75 Braxton Toler78 Jeremiah Cline</div>

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Gilbert Middle School football has added depth this season

GILBERT – The Gilbert Middle School football program was forced to fold midway into the 2023 season due to a lack of numbers. But this fall, things look to be different for the Lions as Gilbert has more athletes out for the team and added depth. Things look to...

Gilbert Middle School football has added depth this season

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