By james art 
Gareth Baker during a break in the game. (Photo by Gareth Baker)
Ryan Moffett is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Xavier Prep for AZPreps365.com.
Garrett Baker, dual-sport athlete for ALA Gilbert North does everything for the Eagles, from spiky footballs to spiky sprints.
Acker grew up playing flag football and decided to try playing football in the seventh grade. Since then, he has put his athleticism on display for both football and track fans.
Baker is now a junior playing his second year of varsity football and is also a varsity sprinter for the Eagles. Baker believes his experience on the track has helped him on the grid.
“Track has definitely helped my breakaway speed in football,” Baker said.
Anthony Garrels, a longtime friend and teammate of Baker’s on both the track and football teams, noticed Baker’s speed on game day.
“He’s always around the ball,” Garrels said. “He’s locked in when he’s on the field.”
Baker is coming into his own this year as he is tied for the most interceptions on the Eagles this season with two picks. His conditioning leading up to games helped him reach his season total from last year in just five games.
“I try to watch a lot of film of the other team’s receivers,” Baker said. “I talk to the defensive coordinator about what positions I need to be in to make the most plays.”
The player tied with Baker for most interceptions is none other than his eighth-grade friend, Garrels. Anthony claims he was vocal with Baker about returning the lead on the interception.
Baker isn’t just an undersized defensive back who makes plays on the ball, he can also be a disruptive defender through his physicality.
“I like to shut down the receivers off the line and make it difficult for them,” Baker said. “I’d say I’m on the smaller side, but I like to match that with my speed and physicality.”
Although Baker may sound like an intimidating player on the football field, his teammates call him a jokester and a nice guy.
“He’ll get you if you come down,” Garrels said. “He’s someone who’s always there for you.”
His teammates appreciate his character and how he makes them better through training. Eagles wide receiver Cam Shepard talks about his battles with Baker in practice.
“He’s going to win some and I’m going to win some. It goes back and forth,” Shepherd said. “It’s definitely competitive every time we go up against each other.”
Baker will try to push himself and his teammates as they begin the end of the season. Once football is over, Baker will move on to the next sport with little time to rest.
“I’m not taking a break from the sport, but I love it,” Baker said.
Baker finished last track season with team-best times in both the 100 and 200 meters. Baker’s best time in the 100 is 11.37 seconds and his best time in the 200 is 23.34 seconds.
For the upcoming season, Baker wants to “try to break 11 (seconds) this year” as she has ambitions to head to the state meet.
Baker doesn’t let his aspirations get too far ahead of him as he’s still focused on football and his weekly games. If his breakout football season is any indication of what the track season has in store for Baker, Arizona should be on guard.