The Gazette
Gators’ Kirk to get more chances at receiver this season -
Ask Goose Creek senior speedster Albert Kirk what he wants this upcoming football season and the response is swift.
“We’re looking to win a state championship,” Kirk said. “Our basketball team won one, so why not us?”
Secondary to Kirk are his successes and role with the team, which will be expanded greatly from last season. Kirk, who made six interceptions from his cornerback spot in 2008, is in line to get more opportunities on offense this season because of his speed.
“We feel like he’s got enough knowledge of the defense that he can go over to the offense and get some reps there and not miss a beat,” Goose Creek defensive coordinator Chris Candor said. “He’s got quick feet and good straightaway speed.”
Kirk is almost as fleet of foot as top speedster Kevin Glears and can edge Glears in a sprint some of the time. Kirk’s presence on offense will give the Gators another home-run threat in space.
And though he hasn’t played many snaps on offense since JV his sophomore season, Kirk isn’t worried about the added responsibilities.
“I’m definitely up for it,” he said. “I’ll be in shape for it. They’ve been running the heck out of us.”
Preparation for this moment actually began nearly a decade ago when his brother, Carlos Sanders, was an all-state player in Virginia. Kirk and his brother spent hours playing ball in the yard.
“He was one of the people who prepared me for corner because he played receiver and corner,” Kirk said. “He was very hard on me.”
Kirk, who moved to Goose Creek five years ago, also went to Philadelphia Eagles games with his father. Football is just in his blood.
“I can run any route they want me to run,” he said.
During spring practice in May, Kirk worked in the slot opposite Glears most of the time. He got the ball mostly on screen passes and slants, and also toted some reverses. Those are playmaker’s plays.
“They’re not just going to have him out there to run routes and block,” Candor said. “They may use him to get an advantage somewhere but when he’s out there, they’re going to make the most out of his reps.”
Kirk played less than 10 snaps on offense last season, catching one pass on a slant in a loss to Summerville. He’ll also punt return this fall.
One of his biggest plays was in a win over Carolina Forest. He snagged a pass out of the air and went half the field untouched for a defensive touchdown.
Secretly, thoughts of offensive opportunities ran through his head.
“They really did,” he said. “To be able to take some to the house (on offense) would make my senior year that much better.”
With the season rapidly approaching, those thoughts of Goose Creek touchdowns are getting louder and louder in Kirk’s head.
While Kirk isn’t short on confidence in his ability and wants some of the spotlight, he’d rather drop every pass thrown his way and Goose Creek win, than the opposite.
“It doesn’t matter to me who scores them,” Kirk said. “When one of us scores, we all score.”
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Vince Lombardi probably said it best, "The dictionary is the only place success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must all pay for success." Continue to work hard and finish the summer strong little bro, it makes the success during gametime that much more sweeter. Nothing is free on that field, earn everything. God Bless, We Believe.
Posted by: Carlos Sanders
Know that your ability has no limits, only your mind. We support you at Gator Nation!
Posted by: Joyce Smith
Stay focus and sucess will be yours. you can do it go all the way with god blessings.
Posted by: Daniel and Gyselle Sanders
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