KFBCA Top 11: Gabe Peterson

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 5th and 6th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Blue Valley Northwest offensive and defensive lineman Gabe Peterson's capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.

Gabe Peterson, OL/DL, 6-2, 240, Blue Valley Northwest

Blue Valley Northwest captured its first ever gridiron state title this season under the direction of head coach Clint Rider. The Huskies went into the playoffs with only one loss and proceeded to tear through their postseason schedule.

The Huskies trounced first round opponent Olathe South 68-31, dominated traditional power Olathe North in Sectionals 56-27, and nearly shutout Blue Valley West in Sub-State 35-7, before running into a talented Derby team that had won six of the last eight 6A State Championships, and were trying to win their fourth straight title. Northwest didn’t falter, jumping out to a big first half lead before eventually winning the game comfortably, 41-21.

Beyond it being the school’s first ever title, it was also the completion of a five-year building process under Rider. Between 2015 and 2019 Northwest was a combined 8-38, but by 2020, when BVNW finished 5-2, Rider had seemingly changed the culture, thanks to the emergence of a loaded junior class.

Gabe Peterson, one of the marquee players from that class, flourished in Rider’s system, eventually earning KFBCA All-State and Top 11 accolades for his efforts. The senior credits the leadership of his class, as well as top-notch coaching, for taking the Huskies to the promised land.

“Our coaching staff and the great senior class we have [are what pushed us to win the championship],” Peterson said. “With some new coaching additions we had coaches that stepped up and played a huge role in our success and having such a dominant senior class was great also because the guys had lots of experience.”

Peterson credited defensive coordinator Kolin Ahern, who joined the staff two seasons ago, and was granted full autonomy defensively by Rider. Ahern’s efforts earned him KFBCA’s 6A Assistant Coach of the Year honor for the 2021 season.

“I think one of the things that as a head coach you really look for is alignment,” Rider said. “Alignment with the way you want the program to run, alignment of what your core principles or beliefs are, how much you focus on fundamentals and go about coaching. One of the things that I’ve been fortunate for here is to find really great teachers and coach Ahern is one of the best of the best, not only at putting together a game plan, but being able to convey it to players in a way that they can understand and develop trust.”

Offensively, Peterson was a member of a line that allowed Husky ball carriers to rush for 3,315 yards, the passing attack to throw for 2,176 yards, and score 78 total touchdowns by season’s end.

Peterson was an anchor on the other side of the ball, accounting for 33 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, four sacks, and a pass deflection. His strength in the interior line was a boon for Northwest, allowing second level defenders to run free and load up their own tackle count.

Leadership was a less obvious aspect of Peterson’s skillset, but still vital.

“I would say that Gabe grew into a leadership role that I think we all knew that he had in him, he certainly was capable of it,” coach Rider said. “I think Gabe was at his best when the stage was at its biggest. Throughout the playoffs Gabe took over that emotional role on our team, whether it be during the game, pregame or half time.”

With his high school career ending on the pleasant note of a state championship, Peterson, whose father was a standout at Pittsburg State and even enjoyed a brief stint in the NFL, is planning on taking his talents to the next level. He is currently undecided on his college choice, but has received FCS and DII offers.

Peterson is one piece of a loaded senior class that Rider will miss next season.

“There were certainly guys who came before them that changed the culture in the weight room, but I think these guys have changed the culture on the field and the expectations of winning. It’s something that as a coach you look back and can probably think of certain classes of groups of guys that you feel really connected to and it will be that way forever, this group is probably one of the top classes I’ve ever been connected to and will certainly miss those guys once they’re gone.”

The KFBCA Top 11 and All-State selections consist of seniors from the Class of 2022 nominated and voted on by members of the Kansas Football Coaches Association. For more info about the KFBCA find them online at www.kfbca.com.