Rutland's senior star running back and linebacker named Gatorade winner
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Grady Gallagher, the senior running back and linebacker who helped Rutland advance to the Division I semifinals, has been named the 2025 Vermont high school football player of the year, Gatorade announced on Friday.
The Gatorade award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high academic achievement and exemplary character.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound two-way starter rushed for 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, Gallagher recorded 134 tackles, three interceptions and a defensive touchdown. The senior played special teams as well, finishing with 441 return yards and a pair of scores. He earned all-state first-team honors from the Division I coaches at the running back and linebacker positions.
Gallagher finished the 2024 season as a state champion runner-up after Rutland fell to Champlain Valley 41-14 in the Division I championship game.
A National Honor Society member, Gallagher has volunteered locally as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Rutland Key Club. He has also served as part of Rutland’s student government, a lead lawyer for Rutland’s mock trial club and is a school representative on the Athletic Leadership Council.
"Gallagher just does everything for them," Brattleboro coach Chad Pacheco said in a statement. "He is a huge part of the offense. Every time he touches the ball, there’s a chance for an explosive play. He’s very comfortable running 'behind his pads,' and punishing oncoming tacklers. On defense, he tackles well at linebacker and he’s huge for them on special teams."
Gallagher has maintained a 3.7 GPA in the classroom. He remains undecided on his collegiate destination.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every player of the year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Gatorade names Grady Gallagher Vermont's top football player
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