By JOEY JOHNSTON
Tribune Sports Writer
(c) Tampa Bay Times. Originally published Oct. 25, 1983.
Meet Jay Gruden, Chamberlain High’s designated miracle worker. He showed some magical qualities in a 12-10 victory against the Brandon Eagles on Thursday night, all without the use of mirrors of special potions.
“Jay is just a good football player,’’ Chamberlain coach Billy Turner said. “He has a great arm and a lot of poise. But most of all, he has savvy.’’
Just ask the Eagles. Brandon led 10-0 with 10 minutes left, its defense already smelling victory. Chamberlain quarterback Brian Bell wasn’t effective, so Turner put Gruden in the game.
What a move.
In three drives, Gruden was 7 of 10 (one pass was thrown out of bounds intentionally) for 85 yards and two touchdowns. His last pass was an 18-yard score to Brian Turner as time ran out.
“Jay had a hot hand, if there’s such a thing,’’ Turner said.
The remarkable comeback makes Gruden the Tampa Tribune Prep Player of the Week.
But don’t ask him about the winning touchdown pass. He didn’t see it.
“I had guys all in my face and I got knocked on the ground,’’ Gruden said. “I didn’t see what happened. But I heard the crowd yelling. Then I had an idea that Brian caught the ball.
“It was great. Our team never quits. We’ll do whatever we can to win.’’
That’s for sure. Two plays before the winning pass, Chamberlain tried some trickery. Gruden skipped a one-hop lateral to Turner, who acted like it was an incomplete pass. The Brandon defenders froze and Turner lofted a 36-yard strike to running back Johnny Austin with five seconds left in the game.
Gruden then hurried his team down the field and three out of the bounds to stop the clock, setting up the game-winner.
About the skip pass, Gruden said, “I was kind of surprised we called it. I thought we’d save it for the Dunedin game (Friday). It had to be perfect or it wouldn’t have worked. It was the luck of the bounce, really.’’
Turner said Gruden’s performance involved more than luck.
“I’ve said all along that I’ve got two good quarterbacks and they’re both juniors,’’ Turner said. “Having two good ones at quarterback is tough for a coach to deal with sometimes. You might have one who gets mad because he’s sitting on the bench. But Jay has been very patient in not playing. He worked hard and got his chance.
“Jay is more of a pocket passer (than Bell). He’s a tremendous thrower. I’ve never really had to coach him because of his background.’’
Gruden’s father, Jim, is the Buccaneers’ running back coach. That, naturally, spurred an early interest in football.
“I’ve been playing for a long time, since I was real little,’’ Gruden said. “My dad has helped me with different things, like dropback steps.
“I came into this year feeling pretty good about my playing time. But we’ll probably keep it this way (Bell starting) because we’re winning.’’
Gruden will be ready the next time a miracle is needed.