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Brett Gerena’s Pick Six highlights Black Gold game

Brett Gerena’s toughness stood out as a linebacker on the scout team last fall.

Army coach Jeff Monken thought then that Gerena’s physical play might be a good fit on the inside of Army’s defense in the future.

Gerena once again caught the coaching staff’s attention early in the Black Gold game to close out Army’s spring practice Friday night at Michie Stadium. The freshman picked off Jemel Jones’ pass and returned it 15 yards for a pick six in the first quarter for Team Black.

“Coming off my plebe year, I only got some special teams reps,” said Gerena, who is a second generation Army football player. “But, playing where my dad (Joe, Army quarterback, Class of 2001) played and seeing my dad’s footprints, I’ve always wanted to be here since I was a kid. I always wanted to be a Black Knight, whether it was football or a cadet. I always wanted to be here. It (the interception) was more of a surreal moment. I couldn’t believe it.”

Brett Gerena celebrates with his teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown in Army’s Black Gold Game. Photo by Lynn Fern/Black Knight Nation

The interception wasn’t the only play by Gerena that Monken noted after Team Black’s 24-14 win. Monken noted Gerena’s tackles on defense and special teams as well as a blitz that resulted in a quarterback pressure.

“Gerena has been a real bright spot for us. just the way he’s developed,” Monken said. “He plays the game really fast. It’s hard for a young guy to process everything. It’s a lot to go out there and play inside linebacker in college football.”

Arik Smith has manned the middle the past three seasons for the Black Knights. The competition for Smith’s successor would continue in the fall with Gerena in the mix.

“Brett’s a talented guy,” Monken said. “I’m not saying it’s oozing from his pores. I don’t know if we have guys like that. He’s got a lot of ability for us and it’s a matter of just processing the things that are going on when a play starts.

“It’s a challenge. It’s not just a challenge for him. It’s a challenge for college football players in general. It’s going to be his ability to handle that and process what’s going on and react in order for him to be an effective player for us.  If the game can slow down for him and he can be better at processing at the linebacker position then he’s going to be a really, really good player.”

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