Undersized defensive end Gamble ready to push Leechburg back into WPIAL playoffs

By: Michael Love
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 6:25 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Lucas Gamble isn’t the biggest defensive end in the WPIAL, but Leechburg coach Randy Walters said the Blue Devils senior makes up for it with dogged determination to get the quarterback and cause havoc in the backfield for opposing offenses.

“All the things he does off the field contributes to how he does on the field,” Walters said. “He’s an explosive lifter. He got so much stronger in the offseason.”

Gamble recorded 15 sacks last season for a defense that played a big part in Leechburg’s third consecutive Class A playoff appearance out of the Eastern Conference.

For his efforts at defensive end, Gamble earned first-team all-conference recognition.

As a senior team leader, Gamble is excited to make a bigger impact this fall. Walters expects that from his veteran defender.

“The way he goes at it on the field. He gives great effort and is so determined to make plays and make a difference,” Walters said. “There are some big tackles who sometimes slow him up, but he is able to bend his hips really well and uses good technique to get by them. They may have him momentarily, but he never stops his rush. He’s always using his hands to try this move and that move, and he keeps his legs churning.

“Of his 15 sacks last year, six or seven of them were probably from the backside, or he was blocked and just never quit. The defense was doing a nice job elsewhere, which gave him another second and a half. He came off a block and ran the quarterback down.”

Gamble started his first game as a freshman, when he was about 165 pounds. He said it was quite the experience.

“Our starting defensive end was suspended two games from the previous season for getting into a fight,” Gamble said. “I took his place. When he came back, I was moved to outside linebacker. Then I got hurt and had to sit the rest of the season.

“I was kind of nervous to start that first game. The guy I was going up against, I looked him up on Max Preps, and he was like 6-3, 300 pounds. I ended up getting two sacks that game. That felt really good. I was able to get a good first step, and I used my speed to get around him. It really gave me a lot of confidence.”

But sophomore year, he was back at defensive end.

Gamble said he appreciated the work he got in during this offseason.

“We had our spring camp back in April, and we were lifting since November,” he said. “We’ve all been working really hard because we have a lot of big goals.

“I benefitted a lot more this offseason than in the past. I didn’t gain a lot more weight, but my muscles and my strength has really improved. Going into the weight room five, six days a week really pays off.”

Increased strength also translated to on-the-field work.

“It was working on my first steps coming off the ball,” Gamble said. “Watching film from last year, that was one of my main problems. I’ve been able to improve on that.”

Gamble said the Blue Devils defense as a whole again will be a key to the team’s overall success.

“Our defensive line is pretty dominant, and we have a lot of experience all the way back to the linebackers with Jake Cummings and the secondary with Jayden Floyd back there. We’re ready to make plays and have a good year.

“I love contact. I love hitting people. I love getting into the backfield. Even if I am not making a play, I want to mess things up so others can make a play.”

Gamble said it was good to get out there for the first scrimmage Saturday against Burrell and hit someone other than a teammate.

“Burrell is physical, and it’s a good prelude to our game (Friday) against Apollo-Ridge,” he said. “They are mainly a run-heavy team just like Apollo, and also our Week 2 game against Beth-Center. The scrimmage prepares us really well for the season.”

Gamble, who was voted a senior co-captain, said he has several options for his future after high school.

He visited St. Vincent recently, and he said he has talked to some other schools. He also attends Lenape Tech in Ford City and is considering a construction career after graduation.

Walters said he is excited for Gamble’s future and also his present with his Leechburg teammates.

“Lucas is a really quiet kid, and he knows I get on him and some others a little bit about being more vocal,” Walters said. “Everyone leads in different ways, and he is such a strong presence for our younger kids. He is among the hardest working kids on the team, and he sets such a strong example.

“He is one who listens so well and does things the right way. It is another by-product of what I’ve wanted to do in building a program. These kids are 100% bought in.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Leechburg