Week after week throughout the 2019 prep football season, Cole Gayman could only watch from the sidelines.
As he recovered from elbow surgery, Gayman, a player who was expected to contribute nicely, was relegated to a cheerleader role for the Webb City Cardinals, who marched their way to the program’s 15th state championship.
“It was a big killer,” Gayman said of missing out on his junior season on the gridiron. “That was the worst time of my life.”
Now, with his senior year underway, Gayman is determined to make up for lost time.
After patiently waiting for an entire calendar year, the 6-foot, 185-pound Gayman is more than ready to play a key role as the Cardinals look to put together another memorable season. Gayman is starting at quarterback this fall.
“I know he’s excited and highly-motivated,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “He’s a kid that shows up and works hard every single day. He didn’t play a single down last year, and when you consider that, I think he’s really played well for us. He’s a great kid, and I know he’s going to keep getting better.”
Gayman had Tommy John surgery a little over a year ago, thus wiping out his junior year. He admitted it was tough not being able to contribute on the field with his teammates, who captured the Class 4 championship in early December in Columbia.
At the same time, Gayman noted he was able to find a positive in sitting out.
“I learned a lot more about our offense,” he said. “That was the good thing that came from it. I learned more than I thought I’d ever learn.”
Gayman also didn’t get a junior season on the baseball diamond, as he was still rehabbing his elbow when the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the ’19 slate.
After missing out on both sports as a junior, it’s safe to say Gayman is extremely driven to make the most of his senior year.
Gayman said it’s been an honor to lead the Cardinals on the field from the quarterback position. He added he’s had a lot of support from his coaches and teammates.
“It’s been great,” he said. “I love the guys that surround me. They all keep me going every day.”
In his first varsity start under, a 41-40 loss to Joplin, Gayman ran the ball effectively, racking up 111 rushing yards on 19 carries with one touchdown.
“I thought Cole did a lot of nice things,” Roderique said. “We were very pleased with him and his performance. As a quarterback, every little mistake is highlighted. But overall, he had a good performance.”
Starting at Cardinal Stadium for the first time as a senior, Gayman directed the offense well in Webb City’s dominant 45-0 win over Neosho this past Friday.
Gayman completed a 53-yard pass to Asa Morgan and also scored on a 2-yard touchdown run while leading the Cardinals to a 45-point advantage by the early stages of the third period.
Gayman noted taking the field for the home opener in front of the hometown fans was a memorable experience.
“It’s completely different playing here than being away,” Gayman said. “The first game here was really exciting.”
Whenever the fall season ends, Gayman’s football playing days will also conclude.
An all-conference player on the diamond, Gayman has verbally committed to play baseball at Missouri Southern. His longtime teammate Treghan Parker has also committed to MSSU, and the pair have the goals set high for the spring.
First things first. Gayman and the Cardinals still have plenty of work to do this fall.
With his senior season on the gridiron underway, Gayman stressed the Cardinals have their sights set on repeating as state champions.
As the Cardinals (1-1) attempt to gain momentum with that lofty goal in mind, and with a Week 3 Central Ozark Conference contest at Republic (2-0) this Friday next on the schedule, Gayman is no longer watching from the sidelines.
Instead, he’s playing a crucial role on the perennial power’s quest for another state crown. And that’s the opportunity he’s been patiently waiting for.
“I think we’ll keep getting better as a team,” Gayman said. “We’ll keep grinding. I think everybody knows where we want to be at the end of the season.”
