There is no better time than the present to anoint another Independence Bank player of the week. Independence Bank is proud to sponsor a weekly article highlighting players in the areas where Independence Bank flourishes who embody the same type of revolutionary service to their respective football teams which has made Independence Bank unique and special in the banking industry.
Independence Bank has a goal of achieving everyday excellence, and this week we are focusing on a player whose performance exceeded the Maroons’ and the Hopkins County community’s expectations. We are focusing on the class of 2019, QB/DB, JD Gilbert, from Madisonville, Kentucky, whose North-Hopkins High School is right down the road from the Independence Bank branches located on 1776 North Main Street and 629 East Center Street both in Madisonville, Kentucky.
It is easy to praise the work of JD Gilbert in the defensive backfield. After all, the Class of 2019, 6-1 and 155 pounder, has just been honorably mentioned on the AP’s All-State Football team for his play in the defensive backfield. What’s not to like?
This year for the Maroons, JD registered 39 tackles from his defensive backfield position, 30 of which were solos. He had three tackles behind the line of scrimmage, picked off a pair of passes, and successfully defended another couple of attempted aerials.
Offensively, Gilbert was both effective and efficient coordinating (on field) the Maroon offensive attack. JD completed 61 of his 106 passing attempts (completion percentage of .5754717) for 857 passing yards with 10 passing TDs against only 3 interceptions. Rushing the football, the All-State defensive player also contributed 137 yards rushing on 48 attempts with 4 TDs carried over the goal line.
The most important statistic of all is his helping lead the Maroons to a 10-3 finish with a narrow defeat in the Regional Championship to the Class 4A State Football Champions Franklin-Simpson, 12-10. I am sure the Wildcats counted themselves fortunate to advance on November 16, 2018; especially when the Maroons went into the half-time locker room in Franklin, Kentucky leading 10-0.
It could have been Gilbert’s Maroons hoisting that Championship trophy in Lexington, Kentucky for the 2018 season almost as easily as it was Franklin-Simpson. Next year, the Maroons return a lot of talent, but, unfortunately for MNHHS, Gilbert’s eligibility is exhausted. Finding a replacement for an Honorably Mentioned, AP All-State defensive back who played QB as efficiently as Gilbert did in 2018 might prove more taxing than Madisonville fans either hope or expect.
Congratulations to JD Gilbert from the Madisonville North-Hopkins Maroons in Madisonville, Kentucky for his Revolutionary Play which has earned him this week’s recognition from the fastest growing bank in the Commonwealth of Kentucky…your friends at Independence Bank.
This is Fletcher Long reporting for KPGFootball reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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