Share: 

Athletes of the Week Nov. 27

November 27, 2020
Ryan Bettins

Coaches call this 300-pound sophomore right tackle “Baby Bettins.” The first-year starter loves power right ‘cause he loves pancakes, according to line coach Harry Hudson. Everyone knows Ryan’s affable and friendly dad Mike Bettins, better known as Lumpy. Ryan Bettins and Lucas Ruppert shoulder-to-shoulder on the right side are rolling thunder for backs to run behind. “Bettins is tough,” said Cape head coach J.D. Maull. “He is still young and doesn't even have a driver’s license.” 

Cade Brenner

A junior transfer from San Diego, Cade is the starting center and an All-Madden-type lineman who’s got the scraggly beard, straps and belts hanging loose. According to line coach Harry Hudson, he “loves to block eye to the thigh and dig out a defender.” Beebe Healthcare CEO and President Dr. David Tam is his stepdad. “Cade is a major upgrade for us at the center position,” said head coach J.D. Maull. “He is the cop of the offensive line. He sets the protection.”

Randy Doll

Randy is a junior transfer from York, Pa. According to line coach Harry Hudson, Rand is an “old-school left guard, smashmouth football player who loves to pancake people.” Randy is a “just dropped in to see what condition my condition is in” big, old rascal lineman who leads all players in minutes spent on the training table. But make no mistake, Randy is a rumbler. “That boy is a brawler,” laughed assistant coach Gilbert Maull. 

Thomas Gibbs

This sophomore is considered a starter in the rotation, playing at guard, tackle and center. “He's our relief player. Knows every position,” said line coach Harry Hudson. “His favorite plays are down and traps because they are the plays where he makes his highlight tape.” “Gibbs is a nice kid and very smart, just needs to be more consistent and hardworking in practice and develop a mean streak,” head coach J.D. Maull said. Thomas said he gets lots of good football and life advice from his uncle Baby Doll, known in some circles as Baydol, two-time state wrestling champ Tyrone Gibbs. 

Lucas Ruppert 

Lucas, a junior, is a big kid with good feet. He’s also a heavyweight on the wrestling team and will need to lose some weight to make the 285-pound limit. Lucas is a right guard with Division I size and talents, plus the grades to go wherever he wants. “His favorite play is 44 down,” said line coach Harry Hudson. “He tells me, ‘Coach, I need to pancake people.’” Head coach J.D. Maull called Lucas a bully with the rest of the crew that enables Cape to run downhill, and with a back like Jaden Davis, they just need to get a little push.  

Jack Thompson

This junior is a first-year starter at left tackle. He did not play football prior to ninth grade. Now he’s 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, and head coach J.D. Maull said it is “lots of fun coaching him because he has no bad habits.” “He’s big into reptiles. No pun intended,” Maull said. “His family is the music store people. Jack is technically sound.” According to line coach Harry Hudson, “The favorite play for Jack is 21 guard trap, because he pulls with a head of steam and blows up the linebacker.”

 

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter