Gordon’s runs make a difference
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
It didn’t take Josh Gordon long to settle into his new role as Princeton High’s tailback.
Since an opening game where he was held to just 17 yards rushing against Nottingham, Gordon has looked like a player born to play the position. He’s rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Little Tigers past four games, averaging 125 yards and scoring six touchdowns in four games.
”Every game but the Nottingham game he has put up big numbers,” Princeton coach Steve Everette said. “He’s part of a three-headed monster and he has been sharing all the success with them. It’s a nice thing we have going with him, Trevor (Barsamian) and Tom (Borchert). Trevor hits a hole and gets six yards. Josh hits the hole and it could go for 60 yards.”
Gordon broke out with a huge first half in his second game, scoring three touchdowns on the way to gaining 107 yards on the night on just seven carries. He gained 184 yards the next week and followed that with two more games of over 100 yards.
”I knew it was possible,” Gordon said of his success this season. “It was just a matter of getting the blocks and reading the holes right. The first game against Nottingham was tough, but now we’re 4-1.
”It was definitely a wakeup call against Nottingham. We knew we had talent and I think we came into the Nottingham game a little cocky. They handed it to us but I think that showed us what we had to do to win.”
The Little Tigers made it four straight wins last Saturday when they rallied for a 21-16 victory over Steinert. Gordon, who had scored the Little Tigers touchdown in the first half on a 4-yard run, scored on a 32-yard pass play from Connor Ryan to get Princeton within 16-14. He then scored again moments later as the Little Tigers rallied for a 21-16 win.
Gordon finished the game with 106 yards rushing and scored all three Princeton touchdowns.
Josh Gordon is the Princeton Packet Athlete of the Week.
”I think he has caught the bug,” Everette said of the junior running back. “After the last game he came to me and said he wants to do whatever he can to get bigger and stronger for next year. I think at the end of last year he realized he would be carrying the ball more this year. He was ready to take the next step into the role of carrying the ball for us.
”He didn’t start until he was a freshman, so he is still learning. He did well as a freshman and played a couple games of JV as a running back. But he didn’t know what the speed of the defenses was like. He’s adjusting well and he’s having a pretty good time back there.”
Gordon was a starter on defense for the Little Tigers last year, but had a limited role on offense. That has changed this year.
”I felt like I got right into it,” said Gordon, who also plays basketball and runs track at Princeton. “Playing some games on JV was not that intense last year. Going to varsity, playing running back seemed like a natural fit for me.
”It helps to have another runner like Trevor. We have different styles. One they can’t catch up with and one they don’t want to tackle because they don’t want to get hurt. It’s a good balance to have.”
Gordon is still helping the Little Tigers on defense, where he has moved to free safety. He returns kicks and does whatever he can to help the cause.
”He’s done a little bit of everything for us,” Everette said. “He shied away a little from running back last year. We were teaching him how to play corner last year and as a sophomore he was really just focused on learning that position and doing the best he could. He did a tremendous job there. And he also returned some kicks for us last year. So he was an important part of our team.”
Gordon is just happy to be out on the field, no matter where he is playing. He likes running the ball, but he also likes having a big role on defense.
”I moved to free safety this year,” Gordon said. “I like it more than cornerback. There is more freedom and I feel like I can be more of a difference-maker on defense.”
Whether on offense or defense, Gordon has been making a difference for the Little Tigers this year. And he hopes to keep doing the same for the rest of the season.

