A lot was expected from Desmond Gray when he stepped onto the Ledyard High football practice field after transferring from Avon Old Farms prep school.
A lot should be expected when you are agile on a frame (6-foot-1, 310-pounds) as big as most lots.
Gray did not disappoint, playing in all 10 games on offense and defense for the 7-3 Colonels. He provided a physical presence on both lines.
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For linemen, who do not possess their own statistical category, the true test of ability is the success of the offense in general. Ledyard averaged 30 points a game, featuring a balanced attack of nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 1,200 passing.
Gray's blocking allowed tailback Alex Manwaring to gain 1,000 yards despite missing most of the last three games with an ankle injury. Ledyard didn't miss a beat when Ryan Pementil moved from fullback to tailback in Manwaring's absence. The senior rushed for nearly 500 yards and seven touchdowns in three victories.
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Defensively, Gray was a run stuffer at tackle. He earned Defensive Player of the Game honors in the Thanksgiving win over Fitch.
After the season, Gray started to rake in his own honors, capped by a Connecticut High School Coaches Association Class M All-State selection at defensive tackle. He was also one of 24 picks on Connecticut's prestigious Walter Camp All-State Team.
As Ledyard's only All-Stater, Gray is our choice for Ledyard Patch Outstanding Athlete-Fall Season for boys.
"Desmond had an outstanding year for us on the offensive and defensive lines," Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore said. "He was a driving force behind 1,000 yard rusher Alex Manwaring and was very consistent on defense, constantly causing teams to have to double-team him in their blocking schemes.
"Desmond is fundamentally sound and has a very good motor," Buonocore said. "Besides his outstanding play on the field, Desmond developed into a very good leader for our team off the field. I am very happy for Desmond for being honored as an all-state football player. It is well deserved."
