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Matthew Gammon has changed positions and is now an offensive threat for the Mercer County boys because of his speed. (Hal Morris / August 21, 2012) |
HARRODSBURG — Matthew Gammon spent his first three years on the Mercer County boys soccer team trying to stop people from scoring. Now he’s being counted on to put the ball in the net.
The senior has moved to the top of the formation of Mercer’s offense to let him utilize his speed and provide more scoring balance to help last year’s leading scorer Landon Souder.
It’s a move Gammon was more than willing to make.
“It’s a good change,” he said. “After stopping goals, it’s fun to score some goals.”
Gammon’s position change came when new coach Matt Vogel saw Gammon playing offense with his club team, the Bluegrass 95s.
“The club season started, and I was playing up top with Mason (Angel) and coach Vogel came and watched us and wanted to do the same thing (on Mercer),” Gammon said. “Have Landon in the middle and have me and Mason up top and have Landon distribute the ball. It makes Landon’s job a lot easier.”
Vogel said he was impressed with how fast Gammon was, and knew he could utilize that on offense this year.
Gammon has two goals and an assist so far for Mercer, which is 1-0-1 going into tonight’s game with Burgin.
“”He’s got kind of a defensive background, but he’s got so much speed,” Vogel said. “He’s kind of got that attitude that he’s going to try to score as efficiently as possible.”
Vogel agreed that change has made Mercer’s offense more dangerous.
“Thats what you need because there are going to be games where teams are going to mark Landon and that will leave other guys open,” he said. “That’s the kind of the thing, you’ve kind of got to pick your poison hopefully with our team. If you do just try to stop Landon, that is going to open up for other guys to score.”
Gammon knows his speed is a dangerous weapon. Gammon, along with Souder and teammate Alex Bosse, was part of the Titans’ Class AA boys champion 3,200-meter relay team. Gammon, Souder and teammate Jawan Smith were part of the runner-up 1,600 relay squad.
“The speed is definitely an advantage,” Gammon said. “It’s the main reason both coaches decided to move me up top. They thought I’d be more productive up top. It has been a pretty smooth transition. I just keep running out there.”
Gammon hopes all the changes translate into a regional title after the Titans fell to Danville in the 15th Region final last year.
Gammon said that loss left a bad taste, one a regional title can make sweeter.
“That’s a lot of motivation,” he said. “And it’s the last year I get to put on a Mercer County jersey, so I want to make it count.”
The senior has moved to the top of the formation of Mercer’s offense to let him utilize his speed and provide more scoring balance to help last year’s leading scorer Landon Souder.
It’s a move Gammon was more than willing to make.
“It’s a good change,” he said. “After stopping goals, it’s fun to score some goals.”
Gammon’s position change came when new coach Matt Vogel saw Gammon playing offense with his club team, the Bluegrass 95s.
“The club season started, and I was playing up top with Mason (Angel) and coach Vogel came and watched us and wanted to do the same thing (on Mercer),” Gammon said. “Have Landon in the middle and have me and Mason up top and have Landon distribute the ball. It makes Landon’s job a lot easier.”
Vogel said he was impressed with how fast Gammon was, and knew he could utilize that on offense this year.
Gammon has two goals and an assist so far for Mercer, which is 1-0-1 going into tonight’s game with Burgin.
“”He’s got kind of a defensive background, but he’s got so much speed,” Vogel said. “He’s kind of got that attitude that he’s going to try to score as efficiently as possible.”
Vogel agreed that change has made Mercer’s offense more dangerous.
“Thats what you need because there are going to be games where teams are going to mark Landon and that will leave other guys open,” he said. “That’s the kind of the thing, you’ve kind of got to pick your poison hopefully with our team. If you do just try to stop Landon, that is going to open up for other guys to score.”
Gammon knows his speed is a dangerous weapon. Gammon, along with Souder and teammate Alex Bosse, was part of the Titans’ Class AA boys champion 3,200-meter relay team. Gammon, Souder and teammate Jawan Smith were part of the runner-up 1,600 relay squad.
“The speed is definitely an advantage,” Gammon said. “It’s the main reason both coaches decided to move me up top. They thought I’d be more productive up top. It has been a pretty smooth transition. I just keep running out there.”
Gammon hopes all the changes translate into a regional title after the Titans fell to Danville in the 15th Region final last year.
Gammon said that loss left a bad taste, one a regional title can make sweeter.
“That’s a lot of motivation,” he said. “And it’s the last year I get to put on a Mercer County jersey, so I want to make it count.”
