HICKORY, N.C. — In almost any contact sport, there are position specialists and then there are utility athletes, meaning one can be placed in multiple positions as a jack-of-all trades and thrive.
St. Stephens High School junior Brycen Gaither has been one of those latter student-athletes, particularly on the football field.
Gaither, a dual-threat offensive talent, competes on the Indians varsity football team as its primary running back, as well as a wide receiver when needed. He has assumed the role of an all-purpose tailback, sort of in the mindset of former Carolina Panthers tailback Christian McCaffrey.
“I find it very important to be a multi-position athlete and do whatever it takes to help my team win. I obviously focus on the running back position, but I look to play multiple positions this year and be just as successful as I am running the ball,” he said.
Gaither began his career with St. Stephens as a true-freshman. He earned the trust of his coaching staff right away, earning the nod of starter in the lineup in 2021.
During his first stint on varsity, Gaither amassed 560 rushing yards on 46 carries with five rushing touchdowns and one contest of going over the 100-yard mark. This level of play led to his first All-Western Foothills 3A Conference selection.
The Indians finished the 2021 season with a dismal 2-7 overall record and 1-4 record in Western Foothills 3A Conference play. Nevertheless, Gaither could find some solace in the early experience much like his head coach Kyle Lowman, who entered his first season at the helm during that run.
“Coming in as a freshman, I knew that I would be competing at a high level and that I needed to prove that I can be successful at that level [on varsity],” he said. “Coach Lowman trusted me throughout the whole process, the good and the bad; also, my teammates helped me throughout the journey.”
Gaither said he has had a fondness for football since he was a little kid. He said that he started playing when he was 7-years-old and hasn’t stopped. He said that football has and continues to play an important role in his life.
Gaither said the tailback/running back position is one of his favorites.
“The tailback position takes vision, quickness, agility, and a lot more,” he said. “The reason I like the tailback position is because I can be patient for a second and then instantly burst through a hole. It’s rewarding; being patient is key to being a tailback.”
Patience is an element that Gaither and his teammates have needed to utilize on the climb to success. The Indians have struggled, but it hasn’t negated the potential the program has shown to get better.
During the 2022 season, St. Stephens improved to 4-7 overall and 3-4 in WFAC action. Gaither had a significant part in shaping that offense as a sophomore. He garnered a team-best and career-high 1,145 rushing yards on 136 carries while also notching a career and team-high 16 TDs.
Gaither not only showed success as a tailback, but he demonstrated his ability to secure catches as a receiver. He obtained 17 receptions for 253 yards including a career-high 29-yard grab. He also finished with a team-high four receiving TDs. As part of his triple threat, he also secured 101 kick-off return yards for special teams.
“Coach Lowman always [makes] speeches or sayings that build up and connect the team, but a saying that has always stuck out to me is him saying “Don’t Be Average,”” he said. “The first time I heard it I was a freshman, and I didn’t really pay attention to it, but the more I heard it the more it started to carry into things I do inside and outside of football. Now, I wake up in the morning telling myself to not be average and to get 1% better every day.”
The all-around production led to a North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 3A state playoff appearance against Kings Mountain in the opening round on Nov. 4, 2022.
Gaither ended his sophomore campaign as a two-time All-WFAC athlete. Throughout his individual triumphs, he’s had a partner-in-crime via Ty McLauchlin.
McLauchlin, a senior fullback/tight end/defensive end, is also a two-year starter and has been another versatile athlete for St. Stephens.
In 2022, he garnered 95 rushing yards on 45 carries and one TD while also corralling 177 receiving yards on 14 receptions. Defensively, McLauchlin had 26 total tackles including six tackles for a loss and a sack, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Gaither said that he and McLauchlin have been great friends for years on-and-off of the field.
“That bond between us is what makes it so fun out there on the field on Friday nights,” he said. “If one of us is having a bad game, the other one knows to go pick up the other one and tell them that it’s ok. We are both looking for breakout years and for our team to have a great year.”
This duo, as well as the rest of the Indians, will look to improve once more in 2023 and take the next step to a deep playoff run.
“I am blessed to have a season like I did last year, and this year is only going to be better,” said Gaither. “I am committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure my team wins. If Coach needs me to run the ball I will, but if he needs me to go out at receiver I will also do that. If Coach Lowman thinks it’s the best for the team then I will do whatever that is.”
“This off-season I worked a lot on speed and agility with Joseph Edwards at Raise The Bar [in Hickory]. I’ve been in the gym a lot and have been on the field working with my teammates building chemistry. I’ve been to multiple college camps and have just made sure I’ve done everything possible, so I could have the year I want to have this year.”
St. Stephens will begin its season in a road contest against Bandys on Aug. 18.
