Erik Boal
Mike Gadel knows he doesn't have the size or leaping ability of
Ramses Barden.
The two-year varsity starter recognizes he might not possess the
game-breaking ability of T.C. Scotton.
The 6-foot-2, 177-pound senior understands that teammates Eric
Sarkissian and Matt Tappin have the potential to deliver more
high-impact hits on defense.
And the 17-year-old isn't as animated as Matt Stein or Greg
Sherman after making a big play.
But ask Coach Marty Konrad, and he'll tell you that as
instrumental as all of the aforementioned individuals have been to
the success of this year's Flintridge Prep football team, none of
them are as versatile, and perhaps as valuable, as Gadel.
"He does it all for us," said Konrad of the Rebels' reigning
defensive most valuable player, who starts at wide receiver, free
safety, punt returner and kick returner, in addition to performing
some of the placekicking duties.
"He's a good luxury to have, because nobody [on the team] does it
in each aspect like he does. [Playing five positions] epitomizes his
ability right there."
Gadel's overall ability was again on display Nov. 28 in Flintridge
Prep's 27-14 victory against North Hollywood Campbell Hall, as he
caught three passes for 24 yards, matched his season-high with nine
tackles, intercepted his area-leading fifth pass and kicked three of
his 12 extra points.
"You look at the [box score] and say 'that's a typical Gadel game
right there,'" said Flintridge Prep defensive coordinator Tom Fry,
whose unit has yielded an area-best 9.7 points per game.
"He's just so consistent out there."
And the 2002 News-Press All-Area first-team honoree hopes he can
put forth the same level of consistency at 7:30 tonight, when the
third-seeded Rebels (10-1) host second-seeded Pasadena Marshall
Fundamental (9-2) at Duarte High in a CIF Southern Section Division
XIII semifinal contest.
"A lot of [my performance] just comes from experience," said
Gadel, who has tallied 61 tackles this season following a 68-tackle,
four-interception campaign as a junior.
"But playing with all my friends is a big deal, too. We're so
connected and we can rely on each other to make plays. We thrive off
each other."
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Gadel's ability to make plays during games has never been doubted
during his four years with the program, as evidenced by him being
selected junior varsity MVP -- ahead of talents like Barden and Jesse
Fleece -- as a sophomore.
"He never dropped a pass in two years," said Kenny Fisher, who, in
