Mundelein’s Jake Gaebler is a game-breaking athlete. Playing just the first half of last week’s 49-14 rout of Lake Forest, Gaebler had touchdown runs of 85 and 87 yards, caught a 65-yard TD pass and intercepted two passes.
Nine days ago Gaebler was among 11 high school players from around the country flown to Hollywood for the movie premiere of “Friday Night Lights” at Mann’s Chinese Theatre. Players were chosen for their athletic ability, leadership, character and academic prowess. Gaebler has a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and a 27 on the ACT.
“It was awesome,” Gaebler said. “We stayed in a nice hotel and got to walk down the red carpet. We also got to attend the party afterward, and I saw Faith Hill, Billy Bob Thornton, Tim McGraw, Michael Irvin and Eric Dickerson. I got the chance to meet the real-life coach who is portrayed in the movie (Permian High’s Gary Gaines), and that was pretty cool.”
The 5-foot-11-inch, 185-pound Gaebler lists Northwestern and Illinois as his top college choices. He is also looking at Northern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Eastern Illinois and several Ivy League schools.
He has rushed for 1,187 yards and 22 touchdowns in 126 carries this year, an average of 9.4 yards per carry. He’s averaging 30 yards per reception too.
Recruiting buzz
According to Joliet recruiting analyst Tim O’Halloran of rivals.com, Morgan Park linebacker Sam Porter (6-2, 225) lists Ohio State, UCLA, Michigan State, Ball State and Bowling Green as his top choices. . . . Bolingbrook LB Ryan Bain (6-2, 250) is scheduling official visits to Purdue and Minnesota. . . . Demectric Fowler, North Chicago’s 6-4, 240-pound defensive end, has trimmed his list to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Kentucky, Indiana and Northern Illinois.
