The most difficult position Brian Gaffney plays for Center Grove is the one drawing the least amount of attention.
Gaffney is in his third year as the starting long snapper for punts, field goals and point-after kicks. He’s also grown into a starting defensive tackle role — and recently, he’s also found a spot in the offensive backfield as a blocker or runner in short-yardage situations.
Every Friday night is a little offense, some special teams and a lot of defense.
“Long snapping is definitely not easy, and it’s by far the most nerve-wracking thing I do,” said Gaffney, a solid 5-foot-10, 220-pound senior who’ll lead the seventh-ranked Trojans into tonight’s Class 6A sectional opener at home against No. 6 Columbus North.
“If I had a bad snap it could completely sway the momentum of the game. I grew up playing running back and linebacker, so they’re easier for me.”
Gaffney’s baseball background — he’s a right-handed pitcher for the Trojans — immediately made him a candidate to handle long snapping shores. Center Grove coach Eric Moore said pitchers often make good long snappers because of the strength they usually have in their wrists.
The coach said Gaffney could play just about anywhere, though. He’s good at throwing, catching and even punting the football.
“If he was 6-4 he could go to any college in America,” Moore said. “Brian is just a great athlete and a great football player. He’s so tenacious and has such a good work ethic in the weight room, which allows him to play in the trenches. He’s a good technique tackler.”
The game in which Gaffney best showed his versatility was Center Grove’s 38-17 victory at Lawrence North on Oct, 5. He scored on a 5-yard touchdown run, sacked the Wildcats’ quarterback three times and finished with nine tackles.
He leads the team in sacks overall with five and tackles for loss with 9.5.
The touchdown was Gaffney’s second of the season. He also found paydirt carrying the pigskin from 2 yards out in a Week 5 home loss to North Central.
Gaffney estimates he is in for an average of 10 to 15 offensive plays per game.
“I’m not completely new to running the football,” Gaffney said. “Being a defensive player, I know how players are going to try to tackle me.”
And, of course, he long snaps.
Senior punter P.J. Buck, also a three-year starter, recognizes how difficult long snapping is, particularly if the player is fatigued from playing other positions.
Virtually every time, Gaffney still finds his mark.
"He sailed just one, and that was last year," Buck said. "Other than that, everything has gone well. He gets the ball back to me with the right speed. And there have been occasions when I punt the ball and (Gaffney) gets down there and makes the tackle."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
TONIGHT’S SECTIONAL GAMES
Class 6A
Columbus North at Center Grove, 7 p.m.
Class 5A
Bloomington South at Whiteland, 7 p.m.
Roncalli vs. Cathedral at Arsenal Tech, 7 p.m.
Class 4A
Mt. Vernon (Fortville) at Greenwood, 7 p.m.
Class 3A
Indianapolis Manual at Indian Creek, 7 p.m.
Class A
Hagerstown at Edinburgh, 7:30 p.m.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
