Posted on Thu, Sep. 02, 2004
Stats not enough for Walsh Jesuit senior
Warriors' Chambers ranks victories at top
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal staff writer
Walsh Jesuit's Mike Chambers is a highly recruited wide receiver whose most vital concerns are not statistics and fame.
``Getting a win is better... that's the best,'' said Chambers, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior. ``This is the year all the seniors have been waiting for. I want to win games and work to get us into the playoffs. Hopefully, we can get to state (finals).''
Chambers has received firm scholarship offers from Michigan State, West Virginia, Miami and Bowling Green as a wide receiver.
Yet he is not afraid to mix it up as a starting safety for the Warriors and to spread his talent around by serving as the backup punter and backup long-snapper.
``Mike is such a pleasant, team-oriented kid who does a lot of things for us,'' Warriors coach Gerry Rardin said.
``He has schools looking at him, but he does anything we ask him to help the team.''
That being said, there can be no doubt that his primary contributions to the team come as a wide receiver. After a solid sophomore season as a starter, he blossomed as a junior by catching 44 passes for 823 yards to help Walsh go 6-3.
His 2004 debut was more of the same, as he caught five passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-7 home victory over Stow last Friday.
``He is amazing, the way he can get open,'' said senior quarterback Doug Snider, who has been throwing passes to Chambers for four years. ``He always seems to be able to beat his guy and he has such sure hands. I know if I have to throw it up and it's a `grab ball,' he is going to come down with it.''
Chambers, who is a third cousin of Miami Dolphins star Chris Chambers, relies on fundamentals as well as front-end speed (he runs the 40 in 4.5).
``He does all the little things,'' said Rardin, whose team plays Parma Padua at home tonight. ``He is so crisp on his routes and can get separation from defenders. He knows how to position his body on catches and can adjust to the ball while it is in the air.''
Chambers, who grew up in Ravenna and lives in Stow, said his biggest thrill as a receiver comes before the catch.
``I like the open field and having a kid one-on-one,'' Chambers said. ``I like to line up and see the reaction (of the defender). I like doing what I have to do to get open.''
Scoring touchdowns comes next in the progression -- and he knows the feeling of being on the other side of the ball as a starting safety on the Walsh defense.
``You are the last guy back there,'' he said. ``If someone breaks through or gets open deep, you have to stop them.''
Chambers went to Walsh in 2001 intending to be a running back, which he played in middle school.
But he asked to be moved to wide receiver as a freshman, because he did not think he had the build for running back.
His development at the position allowed him to start there on the varsity just one year later. Since last season, he has been attending football summer camps to work on his skills and showcase his talents.
The scholarship offers have come, but he said his decision is not immediately forthcoming.
``It was nice to get them (college offers),'' he said. ``I told them I wanted to wait a little bit. There is a lot to think about.''
Just as there is a lot to think about by defensive backs trying to contain him.
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