Gateway QB Thomas Woodson matures into team leader

"A few weeks before this season got under way, Gateway quarterback Thomas Woodson talked about how he wanted to have a great senior year.

Woodson hasn't just been great thus far, he's been nearly perfect.

Woodson is coming into his own in his third year as a starter for coach Terry Smith and perennial power Gateway. Through two games, Woodson has completed 15 of 19 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns. According to Smith, three of the incompletions were dropped balls.

A Monroeville resident, Woodson provided Gateway's first touchdown of the season on a 23-yard run in the opener (he added another touchdown scamper in the second game) and continues to be the guiding force for an offense that has scored a WPIAL-best 107 points.

"He's just been amazing the entire preseason and the first two games," Smith said. "I'm so proud of the huge steps he's taken from last year to this year, even in his preparation, like watching film, studying his opponent and taking on an extended leadership role. He's just matured into what we want from a senior quarterback.""