Gable Likes the “Ice” – Earns IFL Honor
Massachusetts Pirates Kicker Josh Gable has been named the Indoor Football League Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in week nine in a win over the Tucson Sugar Skulls. Gable accounted for 13 points in the 37-34 victory as he was four of four on extra points and made three of six field goals, connecting from 28 yards, a league long of 52 yards, and a 48-yard game winner as time expired.
As he walked onto the field to attempt a 48-yard field goal to win the game with just three seconds remaining, his former coach Dixie Wooten of Tucson called back-to-back timeouts in an attempt to “ice” him. It was exactly what Gable thought was going to happen.
“I’ve gone through that before. I go through situational things in my mind before the game and I was ready for that. When I used to play for Dixie (Wooten). We kind of prepared for that so it’s kind of funny that he called those timeouts to “ice” me when we’ve been through it together as a player and a coach.” Gable said.
Gable added that he looks forward to having the opposing coach call a timeout.
“I feel like I get more time. It helps me to concentrate to be honest. It helps me to visualize,” he said with a laugh.
This was not the first time in his career where the Kearney, NE product and former European soccer standout had to close out a victory with a made kick.
“Not at all,” he said. “I’ve had so many game-winning kicks. It’s a bit harder because the goal posts are narrower, but as long as your mind is right, you use the same motion and you don’t rush anything, you’re pretty much at peace with what’s going to happen,” he said.
In 2018 one of those kicks took place in the United Bowl while playing for coach Wooten in Iowa as he won the IFL Championship, booting the winning point to defeat Sioux Falls.
“It was like a 43-yard extra point. They made me re-kick it because we had a penalty, so I kind of know what to do in that situation,” he said.
This season Gable had the IFL’s longest made field goal at 50-yards and he re-established that mark with a 52-yarder last Saturday.
“I’m not going to lie to you. The further kicks kind of become easier to me because I really don’t think about those. I feel the need to show off my leg and show what I have distance wise. With NFL teams, that’s what they’re looking for. They want to see if you’re accurate and they want to see if you have a strong leg to come in and compete and potentially take a job,” Gable said.
He’s even become a master of the “line drive” onside kick. Last week was the second time this season that he’s banged a kick off a frontline defender which the Pirates recovered.
“I love doing it. I really do,” he said. “I pick a guy on the frontline, hit him and I pray that one of my guys gets it.”
Now as he helps the Pirates, Gable remains patient and waits for the call to take his career to the next level.
“I don’t care how long it takes. I feel like whether they see me or not, my plan is to make them not stop caring about me. I really want to make a splash in whatever arena I’m playing and to make my team better along the way. If I can shine a light on what we’re doing here, there are so many positives that can come out of it,” Gable said.
The veteran kicker knows if he can kick indoors, he can kick anywhere.
Gable said, “There’s a bunch of variables. Sometimes scoreboards can get in the way or other things hanging down in an arena makes it much more difficult, but the uprights are so much narrower than what I’m used to outside. It definitely humbles you because there will come a time when you will miss in this league and it’s going to hurt but I feel like it prepares me for outside. You kind of humble yourself so that when you get outside you know what to do. There’s not as many misses and it becomes automatic.”
The Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508) 452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. Single game tickets are available now at ticketmaster.com or the DCU Center Box Office. For season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277). Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Faceboo.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates. #GetHooked #AllAboard