Gilbert prevented and scored points for OBC champs

By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Harmony’s flag football team has given up two touchdowns on defense in the last three seasons.

Marie Gilbert has been roaming around the Longhorns defense at linebacker and safety those three years.

Coincidences end before they start in this case.

Watch Harmony play, and it’s Gilbert, a junior and three-year letterwinner, barking out signals and pointing out opposing formations.

And then, more likely than not, she goes and gets the ball.

Gilbert had six interceptions this year, and took three of them to the house for “pick-sixes.” Add that to the nine TD receptions she had on offense, and her contributions on kicking plays, and she’s a lock for Osceola News-Gazette Flag Football Co-Player of the Year honors.

In short, she never comes off the field in big situations, and she prefers it that way.

“I love being on the field, and I love the game,” she said. “I hate being on the sideline, it annoys me. I love the pressure plays, and believe me we run them a lot in practice.”

Gilbert, a three-sport athlete – she’s an All-County selection in volleyball, basketball and football – projects to play basketball in college, meaning that flag isn’t her top priority.

“I know D-I schools are contacting her about playing hoops,” HHS flag and girls basketball coach Paul Strauch said. “Sadly, you can’t get a college scholarship for flag football.”

But, from an athletic standpoint, football might be her strongest game,

“She’s very into the game, she has a great feel for what to do offensively and defensively,” he said.

In three seasons, she has 18 interceptions, just one off the school’s career record. She may tie that number on Harmony’s first defensive stand of 2012, her senior year.

“We can move her around to do what we need to do against a given team,” Strauch said. “Her learning curve is quick. Her instincts are good. There isn’t a team in the state that she wouldn’t start on.”

The men in her family gave Gilbert her reference for the game years ago. Her father played collegiately at Saginaw (Mich.) State, and her two older brothers played Pop Warner ball.

“I was always around them throwing and catching the ball,” she said. “My dad wanted me to try to play Pop Warner.”

She didn’t, but the flag season – however short it is – gives her a chance to play, and she plays well.

“I’m happy for an outlet to play,” she said. “It’s sad that it’s such a short season. I wish there was flag in college so I could keep playing after next year.”

Over the last three seasons, the only team to deal Harmony a loss has been Dr. Phillips, who has beaten the Horns in the last two District 8 championships, after Harmony won, 7-6, in the 2009 title game in Gilbert’s freshman season.

Harmony lost this year, 25-6, but trailed just 13-6 and had the ball near midfield midway through the fourth quarter with a chance to tie it. The Panthers went on to win the state championship.

“I think about that game every day,” Gilbert said. “It doesn’t help that I see Hannah (Schiable, DP’s quarterback) three times a week at AAU basketball practice.”

Gilbert said she prefers to focus on the teams Harmony has beaten regularly in her career, such as an undefeated mark in county play the last three years.

“I’m proud that I’m a part of an OBC dynasty that’s only given up two defensive touchdowns to county teams since I’ve been here,” she said. “Next year will be another  opportunity, and I think we can do it.”