Some quarterbacks are born, others are made. T.F. North’s Dominic Gradford is a natural.
The 5-foot-9, 150-pound senior had put his talents to good use at both wide receiver and running back for the Meteors. Coach Anthony Pignatiello decided to cut to the chase.
“We didn’t have to make him a quarterback because his skills were already outstanding,” Pignatiello said. “He’s such a good athlete, and he understands the game so well.
“He has the arm and a great feel for the game.”
That said, Gradford decided he needed some extra input before diving into the position.
“The biggest thing I learned was just to be myself,” he said. “I just had to judge some college games and also watch the NFL to have a sense about what I could do out there.
“I trust my wide receivers. At the same time, I don’t play by the rules. I like to be free.”
Feel free to be impressed. Gradford threw a pair of touchdown passes Friday night for T.F. North in a 27-26 South Suburban Blue victory over Hillcrest in Calumet City.
Gradford has accounted for 18 TDs this season in engineering a remarkable turnaround for the Meteors (7-1, 4-1), who host Lemont on Thursday for a chance to clinch their first conference championship since 2006. Pignatiello was a senior at T.F. North in 2006.
T.F. North went 1-7 last season.
But Friday night, the electrifying Gradford also showcased his all-around skills in throwing a 16-yard TD pass to Terrion Long and a 13-yard TD pass to Aric Moultrie.
He added an interception late in the second quarter that deprived the Hawks (6-2, 4-1) of a key scoring chance.
Gradford has completed 42 of 66 passes for 790 yards and eight TDs. He has also rushed for 405 yards and 10 TDs. He has 54 tackles and three interceptions at defensive back.
“The best compliment I can pay him is that he is a football player,” Pignatiello said. “It doesn’t really matter where he lines up. His understanding of the game, his passion, allows him to be successful.”
Long, who also plays defensive back, came up with an interception to set up his TD catch. He has been close friends with Gradford since youth football.
“At first, I was a little nervous when ‘Dom’ started playing quarterback because I was used to having him next to me,” Long said. “I have a lot of trust in his arm.
“Most of the time, we just signal to each other. He knows where I like to get the ball.”
A sprinter and hurdler who also competes in the long jump and triple jump in track, Gradford plays football with a nervous excitement. He’s fast and elusive in space.
However, he knows how to use his speed and quickness to extend the play.
“I think I am a dual-threat quarterback,” he said. “My style is just to play naturally because I have a lot of great players around me. I just to have trust in the pocket.
“I used to be timid, and I always just wanted to run plays. Now, I am more comfortable and I move the ball around in the pocket.”
Significantly, both of his TD passes against Hillcrest came on third-and-long situations against pressure. And His poise was evident after Hillcrest cut a 15-point deficit down to 21-20 in the fourth quarter.
Gradford responded with a 4-yard TD keeper up the middle with 3:30 remaining.
“I had to keep the offense calm because sometimes they get get too hyped,” he said. “I have to keep everybody in the game and always be calm and collected.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.