Gorman cornerback ready to take game to next level

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Gaels cornerback Charles Childers awaits the snap of the ball during a game against the Spring Valley Grizzlies.

By Brent Hinckley

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 | midnight

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Bishop Gorman cornerback Charles Childers listens to instructions from his coach as he comes off the field during a game against Spring Valley.

Knowing that his football career will extend into college is making Bishop Gorman senior cornerback Charles Childers' life a little more exciting.

He received a scholarship offer from UNLV in September, and hopes it's the first of many.

"My family and I went out and celebrated when I got it," Childers said. "I'm on cloud nine really, knowing I have a future in football."

Childers can't sign with any school until February and is keeping his options open.

"I'm going to play the season and still send out film. I'm open to everywhere," Childers said. "I feel positive about UNLV because it gives me an option to stay home and play here."

Childers set himself apart because of his play during his junior season and performance at the Scout.com combine in Phoenix where he ran a 4.59 second 40-yard dash. As a junior, he played safety and recorded two interceptions and 34 tackles.

"He had the speed, but with juniors you need to see how hard they hit and if can they be physical," Gorman coach Bob Altshuler said. "He's shown he can do those things."

Standing out as a cornerback isn't easy in Las Vegas, a city where most teams prefer to run the ball.

"Yeah, there's time's I'm like just give me a shot to make a play," Childers said. "You have to lock down your position, then make a play wherever the ball is."

Childers has three interceptions through Gorman first six games and has also recorded nine tackles.

"He's a great tackler and knows how to make plays on the ball," Altshuler said. "Then on offense he can make things happen."

Childers plays receiver on offense and he has caught 11 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He caught one pass in Gorman's 62-7 win against Durango on Sept. 19 and turned it into a 56 yard touchdown reception.

Childers said in all his time at Gorman, one play stands out in his mind.

"I tackled (McQueen receiver Kyle) Van Noy, one of the best players in the state, in the flats and I got up and saw the crowd reaction," Childers said. "That got me pumped."

With one state championship under his belt, Childers is confident the Gaels can make it two in a row.

"We know how it's done and we'll emulate it as best we can," he said. "Everything we do our goal is state."

Brent Hinckley is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2687 or brent.hinckley@hbcpub.com.