Senior running back Gregory Ibe was so important to the Sea Horses’ offense this past season that his 1090 yards rushing led the entire division. He was a star, too, in Far Rockaway’s PSAL Cup championship game, which was lost in overtime when the Sea Horses’ less-developed passing game yielded an interception.
When did you start playing football?
About seventh grade. At lunchtime, we would always come out and everybody played two-hand touch, and I wanted to be part of the fun, so I played with them. [I became more serious] probably last year. The past years, I didn’t get playing time like that, I didn’t get on the field as much. But last year I got to see what I could do on the field against big schools and I got more carries, so I got a little bit more interested in it last year.
What’s your favorite NFL team?
The Colts. … I just like the flow of their offense, Peyton Manning, Bob Sanders. I followed [Sanders] through college He’s one of the best safeties in the league right now, and I’m proud to say I’ve seen him in the scouting combine and I told people he would be a nice player, and he is.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a player?
Keep it moving, keep my legs moving. That’s from my coaches. They always tell us that, they say never give up, so that’s what I try to do in every run.
What was the best touchdown you scored all year?
In the Automotive game [on September 27]. We were 4-0 and they were 4-0, and we needed a go-ahead point to win the game, and then Coach [Walter Wilkerson] came up to me and he was like, “We’re gonna give you the ball and you’re gonna run the ball in for us.” I said, “Yes, Coach!” … That was pretty sweet.
Who’s the funniest player on your team?
[Junior running back] Ramel Gittens. We call him “Rowdy” – he keeps the team loose. If there’s a little tension, you know, he breaks it up with a joke here and there.
How far did you think Far Rockaway would go this year?
Every year we come with the same motive of going all the way, and that’s been the goal: all the way, every year. I say, “Next year we’re gonna make the championship,” every year.
After Far Rockaway lost the Cup title game in overtime, what was the feeling like in the locker room?
You know what? We settled down in the locker room. I apologize for my actions [on the field after the game]. We always said that if we made it to the championship, we were gonna take some sodas, which we had, and just pop the sodas. Everybody was feeling down because we lost. But I took the soda and we just popped it. It was so different from [how we acted] outside.
Did you enjoy hearing your name pronounced “EYE-bee” (instead of “EE-bay”) by the PA announcer? Did you notice it?
Oh no, I was trying too hard on the field. But they did tell me about that afterward.
What are your plans for next year?
Play college football, and study engineering. The colleges I’ve applied to, I’m waiting to hear from them. I’m at the point where I’m sending information to different colleges – highlight tapes, transcripts, SAT scores.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in Queens?
Bayswater, where I live! My neighborhood is pretty quiet. It’s secluded. They make fun of us, me and a couple of guys, for living in the “boondocks” area of Far Rockaway. It’s really far from the rest of Far Rockaway.
