Arnold Residents Proving Key For Spalding Football Team

When running back Gabe Denius gets comparisons, the conversation inevitably drifts to the same name.

“He’s our Christian McCaffrey,” said Archbishop Spalding head coach R.B. Green, when comparing Denius to other elusive and cerebral running backs.

Like the NFL superstar McCaffrey, Denius is a fast, hard-hitting back who is a threat not only while rushing but also when catching the ball out of the backfield.

“Gabe is a super talented, dynamic running back who is explosive and has great knowledge of the game,” Green said.

Denius started playing football in the eighth grade. He stood out at Broadneck his first two years before transferring to Spalding this year.

“My mom used to take me to the Spalding football games when I was in middle school,” Denius said. “I was always impressed by Spalding’s school spirit, and football is a big deal to the school’s administration, teachers and students.”

Green has known Denius since he was in elementary school because Denius’ parents were employed by the Naval Academy and Green’s wife works at the academy’s primary and secondary school. Denius attended Navy’s football camp while Green was an assistant football coach for the Midshipmen.

Denius transitioned to Spalding and made an impression during last summer’s strength and conditioning program and caught the eye of the offensive coaching staff during pre-season camp.

‘When I came to camp this summer, I was at the bottom of the depth chart,” he said. “But I studied the playbook throughout the summer and worked very hard every day in camp.”

What caught the coaches’ eyes were his 4.5-second 40-yard dash time and 310-pound bench press, as well as his ability to slip tackles and catch the ball.

Denius credits Spalding’s strength and conditioning coach Scott Swope for pushing all of Spalding’s players to be stronger and faster so they could compete against the area’s best teams.

So far this year, Denius has averaged nearly 100 yards rushing per game for Spalding, which is 3-2 heading into October.

Opening those running lanes for Denius is another Arnold resident in left guard Alek Giddens.

Giddens is a 6-foot-2, 290-pound lineman who has been on Spalding’s varsity for three years. Spalding’s offensive line averages 290 pounds, and the Cavaliers rely on that size to control the line of scrimmage throughout the game.

“Alek works his tail off,” said Green. “He’s a quiet but tough leader that gives his all every play,”

“I think our offensive line is the heartbeat of the team,” Giddens said. “We’re the glue for our offensive game plan and getting our team to the end zone.”

Giddens is also a focused student, maintaining a 3.9 GPA and taking multiple AP classes. He also plays the viola in the school’s orchestra. Giddens’ goal is to study either aerospace, civil or mechanical engineering, and has had interest from Yale and the Naval Academy to continue his athletic and academic careers.

Both Denius and Giddens, as well as their teammates and new coaching staff, are striving to have Spalding win its fifth consecutive Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship. But they realize the Cavaliers will get the opposing team’s best effort every game.

“We’ve learned that nothing will come easy with our tough schedule but we have many young players who are getting better every game,” Giddens said.