During the past two seasons, Greenwood’s football team has run pass plays just 27 percent of the time.
Credit quarterback Seth Gallman for making the most of his opportunities.
While the Woodmen lean heavily on a run game that features seniors Brandon Rosado and Isaiah Borjas, Gallman gives them enough of an aerial presence to keep opposing defenses from stacking the box. In the regular-season finale at Whiteland, for example, he completed 17 of 20 passes for 217 yards in leading Greenwood to a 21-10 victory.
Overall, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior enters his final season having passed for 2,549 yards.
Now, he’s working to become more of a weapon with his legs, too.
Gallman wanted to get faster, whether running the football or attempting to evade pass rushers, so he competed for the Greenwood boys track and field team last spring, running the 100- and 200-meter dashes. He also ran the third leg of the 4×100 relay, helping the Woodmen qualify for the Warren Central Regional.
It was the first time Gallman had run track since middle school.
“I definitely think I’m faster than this time last year, so it was definitely worth it,” said Gallman, who claims to have no preference when it comes to throwing or running the football.
“I do whatever the coaches tell me to do. Whatever wins us games.”
With Gallman as their starting signal-caller, the Woodmen are 13-8.
He made his varsity debut in Week 3 of the 2015 season, coming off the bench to complete 4 of 5 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-25 victory at Mid-State foe Martinsville.
Gallman started the following week at home in a 23-7 win against Mooresville. He’s tossed 27 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions in his career.
His contributions to Greenwood’s football program extend well beyond statistics.
“Seth is a very efficient passer and a great leader for us,” 12th-year Greenwood coach Mike Campbell said. “Some kids have that ‘it,’ and he’s one of those players his teammates trust.
“It’s very easy for guys to follow Seth, and it’s been easy for us to coach him. He’s just a good guy.”
Gallman’s 4.23 grade-point average ranks him 13th academically in a class of approximately 300 students. Currently, his career goals are to become a teacher and coach football at the high school level.
Then, like now, Gallman will be counted on to lead. It’s an aspect of athletic competition he embraces.
“My dad (Jason) instilled it in me at a young age,” he said. “I like being the coach on the field and being very vocal. But I lead by example, too. I try to be as encouraging as I can be, and think I’m a pretty positive person.”
Greenwood advanced to the sectional final in Class 4A the past two seasons only to lose to nine-time state champion Roncalli.
Since winning the program’s last sectional in 2005, the Woodmen have been eliminated by the Rebels three times and Cathedral twice. The other six setbacks were at the hands of East Central (three times), Whiteland (twice) and Columbus East.
None of these programs are in 4A’s Sectional 22 this season.
“Our team goals are to win a sectional and go as far as possible,” Gallman said. “I think we’ve got a team that can do that.”
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Seth Gallman
Age: 18
Born: Indianapolis
Family: Parents Jason and Kim; sister Claire, 23; brother John, 19
Favorite TV show: “The Office”
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite movie: “Friday Night Lights”
Favorite athlete: Peyton Manning
Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts
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