Linebacker Gillespie emblematic of GSL’s toughness

Caleb Gillespie is representative of the strength of this year’s edition of Great Spokane League football.

The East Valley senior is one of three returned first-team All-Greater Spokane League linebackers and among a host of other hard hitters at that position who have lifted their teams this weekend into the postseason.

“For the first two games (this year) he didn’t play to a level we were hoping,” said coach Adam Fisher. “He’s flat dominating right now. When he hits you, he’s there to put pain on you.”

The Knights host West Valley-Yakima Saturday for the third straight year seeking yet another State 3A playoff appearance.

Gillespie turned heads last year, mainly because of his blitzing ability from the weak side. That, said Fisher, is why GSL coaches voted him All-GSL first team.

“Last year he just had big plays,” Fisher said. “When someone makes big plays, everybody notices.”

An inch taller and 10 pounds heavier at 6-foot-1, 207 pounds, Gillespie this year has been a wrecking ball.

“I like how you get to step up and take people on,” Gillespie said. “It’s 1-on-1 and you get to take and give licks. It’s a lot of fun to hit them to the ground and help them back up.”

The one-time EV ball boy, Gillespie was on the sidelines while two older brothers played for the Knights. Rob Gillespie, a 1997 graduate, was an All-Frontier League back. Andrew was a big-play rusher and return specialist who graduated in 1999.

Because Gillespie is the youngest of eight brothers and sisters, he developed his aggressiveness (“my four older brothers got on me relentlessly”) – which strengthened his football skills – and a gift of gab. Fisher said he and fellow linebacker Tanner Hamilton have verbal skills befitting future politicians.

“That probably comes from me being the youngest in the family,” Caleb said. “You’ve got to make up for being the smallest.”

The hard-hitting linebacker doesn’t know how many tackles he has – EV doesn’t keep defensive stats. But he has three interceptions and also has enjoyed his moments as an offensive fullback. On only 17 carries, he’s gained more than 200 yards and scored three touchdowns.

“Last year they rotated fullbacks and by the time I got into the game we were usually in the end zone,” he said. “So it’s fun to run over people and keep going.”

Keeping going is EV’s theme this year after losing in the first round of state to eventual state champion Ferndale last season. “Last Man Standing,” said Gillespie, is the Knights’ team motto.

Apropos considering the way Gillespie has been mowing the opposition down.