That is, after all, the reason he likes math. There’s something about numbers, formulas and finally finding the right solution that turns this fun-loving quarterback into a brainy math nerd.
“It gives me a challenge,” Gommert says. “I like overcoming challenges.”
Come Friday nights, his biggest challenge is finding a way to distribute the ball to playmakers all over the field in Academy’s revamped offense.
And so far, that’s come just as easily for senior Gommert - he of the goofball reputation and mop-top haircut - as any math problem.
As the quarterback for the Academy Bumblebees, 4-0 entering Friday’s District 25-2A opener at Jarrell (2-2), Gommert’s been as big of a dual threat as any quarterback in the area.
“His stats this season have proven that he’s pretty balanced, he does both well,” Academy coach Royce McAdams said. “He’s truly a balanced quarterback.”
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The way things have worked out so far hasn’t exactly fit the original plan.
Before the season, McAdams wanted to play all three quarterbacks on his roster - Gommert, Kyle Kuban and Matt Brenek - to utilize their different strengths. Because of injury, McAdams got a chance to see all play last season and simply couldn’t justify playing just one.
But it didn’t take long to figure out Gommert was going to be the full-time starter.
After a solid opening-week game against Copperas Cove’s junior varsity, the 5-10, 170-pound Gommert put together a monster six-touchdown performance against Granger.
In the Bees’ 54-point outburst, Gommert rushed for 143 yards and two scores on 23 carries and completed seven of 13 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those touchdown passes were 59 yards or longer.
McAdams’ decision was made. The three-quarterback system was out. Gommert was going to be the guy.
“We had a great offensive output that night,” McAdams said. “We just didn’t want to change that.”
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With the way Gommert’s been playing so far, there’s been no need to make a change.
He’s accounted for 11 of the Bees’ 16 offensive touchdowns and 72 percent of the team’s total offense.
Academy’s traditionally had success running the ball out of its Wing-T set, and that’s certainly the case again this season.
The Bees have the area’s fifth-best rushing offense, led by Gommert, who has 437 yards and six touchdowns on 84 carries. Like previous Bee quarterbacks, his ability to run and make plays is just as crucial as his passing.
But Academy’s thrown the ball more than it ever has under McAdams.
Already, the Bees have thrown, on average, seven passes per game more this year than they did last season.
Six receivers have at least one catch. Chase Reeders, Noah Hamill and Andrew Sodek all have at least 150 yards and a touchdown.
With Gommert’s arm and playmaking ability coupled with the speed and sure hands of his receivers, McAdams knew that going to the air more would give his team the best chance to win.
And coming up with those different ways for Gommert to get the ball in their hands has been the fun part.
“It is hard sometimes to distribute the ball that much, but of course during any particular game, if we find something that works, we stick with it,” McAdams said. “Whoever has to step up and take that role that night, they’ve been doing it.”
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Catching a break between watching film and a Tuesday afternoon practice, Gommert lounges on the couch in McAdams’ office.
He’s quick to deflect any credit for his role in the Bees’ 4-0 start. Gommert praises the Bees’ much-improved offensive line and his receivers for his success.
“They make me look good most of the time,” he said.
Gommert, though, does deserve some of the credit, especially for the Bees’ passing game. He’s already passed for 660 yards, best in the area, and five touchdowns.
His arm was never a question, but a summer’s worth of 7-on-7 and technique work at camps has made a difference.
McAdams noticed Gommert’s technique is much improved, helping raise his completion rate by six percent already this year.
“It’s just all the little stuff that you don’t think about that affects you so much,” Gommert said. “There’s a lot of little things that mean a lot that nobody focuses on.”
It helps that he’s got one of the most experienced groups of receivers in the district.
With Hamill and Sodek on the outside and tight end Reeders in the middle, Gommert has plenty of options.
Gommert won’t play favorites. That guy just happens to be whoever’s open.
“We look at it as trying to get everyone involved,” he said.
And when looking to get the ball downfield, Gommert’s had plenty of time to throw or scramble on designed runs. That’s where the development of the Bees’ offensive line has made a difference.
“I didn’t expect them to come out that strong,” Gommert said. “I had some questions in the beginning. But they’ve stepped it up more than I ever expected.”
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For Gommert, problem-solving time goes beyond math class.
During his daily afternoon break between class and practice, Gommert and several teammates watch tape with coaches, looking for anything to gain an edge.
“We’ll talk out loud and the coaches will say, ‘They’re doing this, they’re doing that,’” Gommert said. “Coach McAdams breaks it down real easy for us.”
Finding ways to crack an opposing defense isn’t always easy, even if Gommert’s made it look that way so far.
“It’s just starting to click for me now,” he said.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
