Richwoods' Glasper Catching, Not Throwing Passes
By: Kurt Pegler - WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: November 25, 2011
WMBD/WYZZ-TV - PEORIA, Ill. -- Clayton Glasper qualified for the state track meet two years ago.
He says it was great. But it doesn't compare to the feeling he's experiencing with a state-bound football team.
"This is better than state track for me. I feel like it's harder to make it to state (in football)
than track because there you have more event," said the Richwoods senior. "It's much more of an accomplishment."
Like with track, Glasper wears many hats in football. In the past two seasons you could find him with his No. 13 jersey catching passes, throwing passes, intercepting passes, even punting.
"At quarterback you have a lot more on your shoulders, it's a lot different than being a tight
end on the line or catching a ball," said Glasper.
After Richwoods lost in the state semifinals a year ago, the Knights coaching staff approached
Clayton, the starting quarterback, and told him the best chance for this year's team to succeed would be if Clayton wasn't the starting QB.
They made him a full-time receiver.
"Anything to make the team better. I came in (to the coaches office) and they said we need you to be a receiver," said Glasper. "I agreed. Anything to get us to state."
Added coach Roland Brown: "We walk up to him this year and say, for us to be as good as we're gonna be, we need to move you. We need to make you wide receiver even though you've never
played the position before. Will you do it? Yes, he did."
Now instead of thrwing TD passes, he's catching them.
"I love catching the ball, making a move," said Glasper. "A 10-yard play turns into a 60-yard play."
And Glasper has helped turn Richwoods into a state finalist.
