Columbus North’s Gino Prescott runs the ball during the annual rivalry game Aug. 30 against Columbus East at Columbus North High School.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Gino Prescott is too young to remember his uncle Duwyce Wilson star at Columbus East, but Prescott vividly recalls Wilson playing football at Indiana University.
“I got to see all the IU home games whenever he was there,” said Prescott, a senior running back at Columbus North. “That 2013 season, that was legendary, being at all those games. I still remember that to this day. I remember going into the locker room after they beat Purdue and getting to hold the (Old Oaken) Bucket and taking pictures with guys like Cody Latimer, my uncle, Nate Sudfeld, Tevin Coleman. Just seeing legends like those, it really motivated me.”
Although Wilson was a wide receiver, Prescott spent most of his formative years at running back and linebacker. He played linebacker on the JV as a sophomore at North until starting JV running back Josuan Padilla went down with an injury.
At that time Prescott moved to running back. He then won the starting job on the varsity as a junior.
“My 11th grade year, I got to take over, and since then, it’s just been magic,” Prescott said.
Prescott has been a big reason why the Bull Dogs are off to a 3-0 start. He is averaging 98 yards rushing per game and leads North with six touchdowns.
“I can’t really say it’s all me,” Prescott said. “I have to give thanks to my O-line. They’ve been balling their butts off all summer. It really all starts with them.”
Gino Prescott
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Prescott credits an increase in his size and strength to defensive line coach and strength coach Kyle Harkema.
“Coach Harkema made us hit the weight room, and we really took that serious,” Prescott said. “I think that’s really what it is. We preached mental toughness this summer. We’ve preached just being ready and being focused, and I feel like our whole atmosphere has changed, and it’s finally clicking for us.”
Prescott’s big-play capability has helped keep opposing defenses from teeing off on quarterback Asher Ratliff.
“I think it’s made our offense extremely dynamic,” North head coach Logan Haston said. “When he has the ball, he has the ability to turn it into a big play. It makes us a balanced attack, and that starts with a dominant run game, for sure.”
“Coach Haston coaches a perfect game every game, in my opinion,” Prescott added. “It’s all about the schemes. I feel like he sees it throughout the week, and he prepares us for it. We get out of film, and we go out and practice that all throughout the week, so then whenever it’s game time, we already know what we want to do. We’re already focused and locked in on it.”
Prescott was primed for a big season after rushing for 745 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
“I think last year was more of the breakout season for him,” Haston said. “He really came on midway through the season. We knew he had the potential to have a special season, but it’s been more him from a mental standpoint, just learning the offense and the details of playing running back and the detalis of footwork and technique is where he has made huge strides during the offseason.”
This summer, Prescott picked up an offer from Division II St. Francis. If he continues to play at the level he has been, more could be on the way.
“IU is my dream school, but I’m really just focused on playing wherever,” Prescott said.
While Prescott has a couple of individual goals for this season, he is more focused on helping the team build toward winning its first sectional title since 2007.
“I’m one touchdown away from beating my touchdown mark from last year,” Prescott said. “I’m looking for 1,000 yards regular season this year and just bring home that sectional title and that state championship.”
