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H-S Athlete of the Week: Caleb Dehaven, Albert Gallatin

By Rob Burchianti 5 min read
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Albert Gallatin senior Caleb Dehaven is the Herald-Standard Athlete of the Week.

Name: Caleb Dehaven

School: Albert Gallatin

Class: Senior

Sport: Football/Soccer

Dehaven’s week: Dehaven rushed for 235 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries in the Colonials’ 41-21 football victory against visiting Clear Spring out of Maryland last Friday night. Dehaven’s total was the sixth-best rushing total in school history since consolidation in 1987. Dehaven also had AG’s lone reception for 32 yards from quarterback Bronx Jamison, giving him 267 total yards on the night.

Most of Dehaven’s yards came on runs to the outside. He didn’t realize how many yards he had accumulated at first. “I didn’t know until Coach (Drew Dindle) told me after the game. We thought the outside would be open against them so we were working on that during practice all week.” Dehaven averaged 19.6 yards per carry against the Blazers, who brought a 3-1 record into the game. That’s not too far off his season average. Dehaven has carried the ball 41 times for 585 yards, averaging 14.3 yards per attempt. “That’s kind of crazy when I think about it,” Dehaven said.

Dehaven had a late start to the season, missing the first game due to a hamstring injury and then only playing defensive back in AG’s second game as Dindl tried to ease him back into action. “He’s only played five games on offense,” Dindl said. “We finally cut him loose our third game against Connellsville and he’s been good ever since.”

The 29-26 win over the Falcons stands out to Dehaven. “That was big for us mentally because we had never beaten them before,” Dehaven said. “We were fired up for that one. We wanted that game bad.” Dehaven led a balanced attack with a team 85 yards on just four carries.

Dehaven also played well in the Colonials other game against a Fayette County opponent, carrying 11 times for a game-high 136 yards and a touchdown in a 36-21 win at Uniontown.

Dehaven, who just turned 18 Sunday, is a big fan of Dindl. “I love Coach Dindl,” he said. “He’s a really good coach. If we’re having a bad day he’ll sit down and talk with us about it and get our minds right before the next practice or the game.”

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound son of Lynsey Dahaven of Fairchance is a total package as a runner with a combination of speed, agility and toughness. “I definitely try to use my speed to my advantage and I’ve got pretty good balance, too, and even though I’m a smaller guy I’ve got some strength where I can break some tackles.”

The Flexbone: Dehaven is part of Dindl’s beloved flexbone offense, a multi-faceted rushing attack that has served the Colonials well. “I really enjoy running our offense,” Dehaven said. “I know we don’t throw the ball a lot, but it works.”

Dehaven is one of the outside threats along with fellow starter Adam Pegg with Nassir Moore seeing significant playing time there also. The H-back (fullback) is Tee Guesman with Roman Smith seeing time there as well. Quarterback Bronx Jamison, another rushing threat, runs the show.

“Bronx reads it all, he’s like the point guard and has done a nice job facilitating the ball,” Dindl said. “Any of those four can touch the ball at any time. We don’t pass much but we’re capable of that if the defense leaves it open, like Caleb did Friday night.”

Next level: Dehaven has his sights set on playing college football. “I definitely plan on playing in college,” Dehaven said. “I’ve got a couple game-day invites and other things but I’m still sorting that all out.”

“Caleb is drawing some D-II, D-III interest,” Dindl said. “I think he translates to a D-back but I could see him as a slot receiver, too. There’s a few coaches talking to him and some teams that have worked him out. I definitely think he’ll play at the next level.”

Independent: Dehaven sees positives and negatives to AG playing as an independent. “If there were some kind of playoffs for independent teams I would enjoy it more, but sometimes without that it’s like there’s no end goal,” Dehaven said. “But I do like our schedule, playing the other teams in the area. We’re always more fired up for those games.”

“Those are like our playoff games,” Dindl said of going up against other Fayette County teams.

Tidbits: Dehaven is a four-year letterman and two-year team captain. “He’s the hardest worker in the weight room, the hardest worker on the field,” Dindl said. “He’s really pushed himself in his four years here with me and turned into one of our focal points on offense and defense. He’s one of those players that when other teams see him on film they’re saying 88’s going to be a problem.” … Dehaven also plays for AG’s boys soccer team when he can. “I’m a striker,” he said. “I only played in three games so far but I scored three goals. Coach (Bruce Guesman) is Tee’s dad so he kind of understands my situation.” … Dehaven doesn’t play any varsity sports in the winter or spring but does have a favorite hobby. “I love to snowboard,” he said. “I can do backflips and rails and all that fun stuff. I like to go to Seven Springs for that.”

Compiled by Rob Burchianti

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