Football: Clearview's Sharper making most of chances

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Opposing defenses have struggled to slow down Clearview running back Gyair Sharper.

Pioneers coach Mark Deal, to his own chagrin, has done a decent job of containing his junior star.

"I've got to be more creative in getting him the football," Deal said. "We've had a couple things that have happened that have limited his opportunities.

"But we've got to get him the ball."

Sharper has 15 carries in Clearview's first three games.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound speedster has run for 318 yards, a 21.2-yard average. He's also scored six touchdowns, including three in the season opener against top-ranked Delsea.

"Speed," Deal said of the secret of Sharper's success. "He's always the fastest player on the field."

Deal said he hand-timed Sharper in 4.3 seconds for the 40-yard dash on the Clearview track in the summer.

"Three times," Deal said.

Sharper also unleashed a standing vertical leap of 39 inches, "as a freshman," Deal said.

Sharper is the son of former Paulsboro running back Richard Gaines and the grandson of former Paulsboro multi-sport standout Lonnie Sharper.

Sharper said teases his father that he's faster than him, "all the time."

Sharper, who also is a standout defensive back for the Pioneers, doesn't complain about averaging just five carries in the team's first three games.

"I just try to take advantage of every chance I get," Sharper said.

Sharper started at defensive back and played sparingly on offense as a sophomore. He came into this season determined to take his game to another level.

"I'm just a lot more focused this year," Sharper said. "I'm down with grades, football, everything."

Deal believes Sharper has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential in football thanks to increased focus in the weight room as well as his natural maturation.

The coach also thinks Sharper is ready to assume a heavier workload, starting with Friday's WJFL National game with Hammonton (4-0), the No. 5 team in The Inquirer's Top 25.

"He's only going to get better and better," Deal said. "I've got to find a way to make sure we keep getting him the ball."

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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