BRODY HANSEN
FORT GIBSON TIGERS
To paraphrase Charles Dickens, you could say it was the best of seasons and the worst of seasons last year for Fort Gibson freshmanBrody Hansen. It was the best of seasons because he earned a starting spot on the Tiger varsity as a freshman-no easy task. But injury kept him from performing at full speed which dulled the thrill of the season.
“I tore my MCL in a scrimmage, but I played on it anyway and was probably at about 70 percent all season long. I’d come to school on game days, and I could barely walk, so I finally had to have surgery last winter.”
Even playing hurt, Brody still led the team in receiving stats last year with about 600 yards and six touchdowns and was 160 yards short of the school single season receiving record. Coach Ryan Nolan says that performance has earned Brody some extra duty this year.
“To help him on offense we’re going to move him around more and put him in the slot some so teams can’t so easily double team him,” said Nolan.
The change on offense fits right in with one of Brody’s role models in former OU Sooner and now Dallas Cowboys receiver Cee Dee Lamb who also runs wide and as a slotback.
Another change for Brody will be moving to a full-time spot on defense as a corner back after playing a little safety last year.
Making the move from middle school to high school last year taught Brody a valuable lesson.
“In high school you’ve got to click right way. You can’t have a brain fart. You’ve got to know the plays and what you’re supposed to do or you’re going to be behind.”
But there were also highlights in that freshman year for Hansen.
“I scored my most touchdowns against Stilwell but probably my favorite game was against Sallisaw where I had a touchdown and also broke up a fourth-down pass that was big.”
Brody’s goals for this season include getting over 1000 yards receiving, at least 10 touchdowns, and a spot in the playoffs and he plans to run track next spring for the Tigers.
