When Brother Rice’s CJ Gray was 6 years old, he loved basketball.
But it was obvious even then that he was more cut out for a different sport. Because Gray was piling up a few too many fouls on the basketball court.
“Playing basketball, I was always the rougher one out there, knocking people over and everything,” Gray said. “My dad was like, ‘Maybe you should try football.’
“I tried it and stuck with it ever since.”
That was a good move for Gray, a senior quarterback heading into his second season as the starter for the Crusaders, who come in at No. 4 in the Daily Southtown preseason rankings.
His football journey is headed all the way to Division I. Gray committed in June to Army.
“It’s always been a goal of mine, coming into high school and even before high school, to play Division I football,” Gray said. “I’m happy to achieve it, and now when I get there next year, I’ve just got to keep going further and keep excelling.”
Gray said he hadn’t thought much about playing for a service academy or going into the military but fell in love with Army’s program when he made a visit this summer to West Point.
“The coaches, players, the facility, everything was great,” Gray said. “Not only will I excel as a football player by going there but also as a man.”
And the extra responsibility that comes with attending a military academy?
“I can handle it,” Gray said. “I think I’m very consistent and hardworking and mentally strong.”
Senior tight end Colin Goggin can back that up.
“I think he’s definitely cut out to succeed at a place like that,” Goggin said. “I think he’s going to tackle that better than anyone else. I think he’s ready to do his part this year and then go out there and play college ball and do amazing.”
Gray, who threw for 1,245 yards and 13 touchdowns with just three interceptions last season, is the only returning starting quarterback in the CCL/ESCC Blue.
Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld certainly appreciates the luxury of having an experienced player under center.
“You don’t wish you have a junior starter, and if you go back through the history of Brother Rice football, there haven’t been too many juniors to start at quarterback,” Quedenfeld said. “But when it does happen, the next year, you know this guy’s already been through the battles.
“He was a captain last year, but he was really learning how to be captain. Now he’s a great leader.”
Quedenfeld expects that experience to pay off the most in big moments. Last season, Gray may have forced things in his eagerness to make a play, resulting in a costly mistake.
This year, Quedenfeld is confident Gray will make the right choice.
“He’s understanding when to be an athlete and when to relax,” Quedenfeld said.
Gray knows how important it is to play smart football.
“Being mentally tough in those big moments, holding onto the ball and making the smart plays, that’s what it’s all about,” Gray said. “You can’t turn the ball over. That means everything.
“I think I’m a mentally stronger player now than I was a year ago.”
That would go a long way toward turning the tide for the Crusaders, who went 6-4 last season but were 1-4 in games decided by one possession. They suffered three losses by seven points each plus a 12-7 defeat to Fenwick in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs.
Goggin is confident this season will be different. He believes a more mature, more confident Gray will get the Crusaders where they want to go.
“CJ and I are really close and I know what he’s been doing in the offseason,” Goggin said. “I think he’s one of the hardest workers I know.
“I think he’s really ready to take this team and lead us to a state title.”
Quick hits
Team: Brother Rice.
2024 record: 6-4.
Offensive leaders: Colin Goggin, senior, tight end; CJ Gray, senior, quarterback; Jaylin Green, senior, running back; Matt Pikus, senior, lineman.
Defensive leaders: Charles Barkmeier, senior, linebacker; King Liggins, senior, lineman; Brayden Parks, junior, lineman; Emeir White, senior, cornerback.
X-factor: Kameron McGee, sophomore, defensive end/receiver.
