When it comes to Bridgeport High School’s defense this year, there are no shades of gray. It’s all there in black and white and what it tells you is this – “you can’t run on us and it’s going to be tough to score on us.”

 

Of course, a big reason for a no gray with the defense relates to 52, or number 52, Michael Gray. For opposing defenses, it’s probably appeared that there have been 52 shades of gray, or in this case Michael Gray, every time the opposition snaps the ball.

 

Despite being a defensive end for the first time in his prep playing career, prior to Thursday’s Elkins game Gray was leading what has turned into a juggernaut defense with 25 total tackles. He was also leading the team with 2.5 sacks for 18.5 yards in losses. And he’s the team leader in tackles for loss with 10.5 for 47.3 backward yards for the opponents.

 

While it’s all impressive, what makes it even more impressive is that Michael Gray’s transformation from linebacker to lineman and from running back to spot duty guard on offense was done at the suggestion of Gray. And true to BHS Coach Josh Nicewarner’s word about letting any player try out anywhere they want to in order to see how it works out, when Gray wanted to make a move he was given the chance.

 

The reason?

 

“I asked to be moved because I knew there were positions needing filled and thought I could help more than worrying about not getting to run the ball as much,” said Gray. “As it’s turned out, I actually like the style of defense on the line more than when I was playing at linebacker.

 

“I didn’t know what to expect, but everything has fallen into place,” Gray, who added nearly 30 pounds to get to 200 pounds to compete on the line, continued. “I worked hard in the weight room in the offseason to make sure I was physically strong enough to handle the position.”

 

Handling his defensive end position would be an understatement. The only issue Nicewarner has, and it’s one he grinned about when asked, was Gray’s motor may run too high during some periods of action.

 

 “At times (in the East Fairmont game), Mike Gray was too quick. He would explode through so fast that the guy would just get past him running the other way. If there’s any concern that’s about it because he’s performed extremely well,” said Nicewarner. “That’s his best asset, which as I just pointed out can be his worst one, is that he goes so hard every single play that he finds himself out of position … You know what? I’ll take a kid like that over kid that’s lazy or doesn’t give it their all any day of the week.”

 

Gray is aware of the issue and said he’s doing his best to address it. What that could mean is that even better days are ahead.

 

“My quickness has helped me this year because when I was at linebacker I was getting hit by guard and now I’m usually up against a tackle and they’re not as quick so I can get around them,” said Gray, who said he has continued a steady diet of chicken and rice to keep on weight and stay in shape for the pounding in the trenches. “Coach is right. Sometimes, that hurts me because I get out in front of the ball too fast and then I’m out of position. I’m still trying to settle myself and get more comfortable with the idea of being calm out there. If I can play better, then I can help the team.”

 

It would be hard to argue that Gray isn’t doing just that. A season after the team won a Class AA state championship and lost a bevy of their top players to graduation, the defense is actually showing better numbers this year; particularly against the run.

 

Prior to Thursday’s game, Bridgeport had yielded a total of 232 yards rushing or just 46.4 yards rushing per contest. Some of that yardage has come in a few BHS blowout wins against the second and third-unit players. Through five games, no other Josh Nicewarner-coached teams – five years – has allowed that few yards. The next closest was 333 yards in 2011.

 

Gray’s the first to admit he’s not the only reason for those numbers. Nicewarner’s the first to admit Gray’s also a big reason for those numbers.

 

Ironically, many may have figured Gray would have been the guy carrying the ball for the Indians instead of occasionally blocking for the ball carrier or making his name tackling the person with the ball. In middle school and even in his first years in high school, Gray was often in the backfield running with the ball. On top of that, his brother Mark was an all-state running back for some of Bridgeport’s best teams under Coach Bruce Carey.

 

“I didn’t start running until my eighth grade year because I was always a heavier kid in the youth leagues,” said Gray. “When I began to run the ball in eighth grade, my dad told me I looked just like Mark so I thought it may end up happening; that I would be the guy carrying the ball.”

 

As it turned out, it wasn’t that Gray wasn’t capable. It was more a case that there were already assets there and he – as he noticed – could apply his skills to an area of need. Still, he said he would be lying if he said he hasn’t wondered what it would be like to be carrying the ball 10 to 15 times a game.

 

“Sure, I miss running it because at Bridgeport you like to run the ball. Who wouldn’t miss it? That’s as far as I think about it because I know I’m helping the team doing what I’m doing,” said Gray.

 

Gray said one thing that helps is that one of his biggest supporters is his brother Mark. The same guy he used to make sure he was able to root for at every game is now returning the favor.

 

“He’s there at each game and he’s a huge help to me,” said Gray. “My brother was a team-first guy and that’s what I want to be and try to be.”

 

Nicewarner knows that Gray could have contributed in the backfield, but he’s become practically irreplaceable along the defensive line. And Nicewarner said it’s that “team-first” mentality that made it possible.

 

“He’s a good back and he knows he’s a good back, but on this team we had guys who were a notch better and he saw it. The important thing is that Mike just wanted to help this team and made the move and look what being unselfish has done for him and his teammates,” said Nicewarner. “When a kid makes a sacrifice like that and does so willingly, you want it to pay off him. I think you’d have a difficult time finding someone to tell you it hasn’t paid off for him and this team.”

 

The best news is that Gray has no regrets.

 

“Words can’t describe how happy that I am with how things have turned out. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but it’s really unbelievable,” said Gray. “I’m probably not the only one who may have had some questions about how I’d do this year.”

 

There are no questions now. With 52 on defense, there are no shades of gray. It’s all black and white; and for the opposition it’s often black and blue.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Michael Gray chasing down the East Fairmont quarterback, while taking a breather on the sideline in the second photo. In the bottom picture, Gray is joined by teammate Brandon Hartz (50) prior to coming on to the field. Photos by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.