Bruins lifted by Gerau’s recovery

High school students crave aimless summer days, but for Rock Bridge receiver Brandon Gerau, the countless hours of inactivity were excruciating.

Gerau could not run routes for two months after rupturing his spleen in June. Gerau suffered the injury at the Music City Classic 7-on-7 tournament at Vanderbilt University.

The Bruins’ skill players were competing against some of the nation’s best high school teams. Gerau sprinted across the middle and laid out for one of quarterback Logan Gray’s deep balls.

“My arm came up underneath me, and I hit my ribs,” he said. “Then my ribs pressed my spleen and ruptured it.”

The injury was not initially thought to be serious.

“I really didn’t think much of it,” coach A.J. Ofodile said. “It was pretty benign looking.”

Ofodile thought Gerau had just bruised his ribs, but he was worried when he learned the true diagnosis. Such an injury could be long-term.

Gerau was examined. The prognosis relieved Ofodile and his coaching staff. The rupture was not as serious as expected. Gray would be able to throw to his most talented receiver in the Bruins’ opener.

Now, the Bruins have come to depend on Gerau, the team’s leading wide receiver, as No. 1 Rock Bridge (7-0) opens Class 6A district competition at Liberty (4-3) tonight at 7.

The summer was still bleak for Gerau, though. As a potential Division-I recruit, he wanted to get faster and stronger.

Those goals ended after he stretched out for that ball in June. He could hardly move the next two weeks.

His teammates continued to work out and participated in another 7-on-7 competition in Alabama.

Gerau could only watch. He had to wait two months to rejoin his teammates.

“You want to get out there and start running around,” he said, “but you know it’s not quite time.”

Once he was cleared, Gerau dedicated himself to getting in shape.

“He was pretty diligent in getting himself back in playing condition,” Ofodile said.

Gerau said he has almost reached his desired level of conditioning. Football demands much of him.

He has made 13 catches for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He has also made six interceptions at safety and kicked 34 extra points and two field goals.

Rock Bridge values Gerau’s varied talents. Although he’s only 6-0 and 160 pounds, Gerau is the best tackler in the secondary, Ofodile said. Gray can also connect with him for substantial chunks of yardage.

“Anytime we draw up (a big pass play),” Ofodile said, “the first thought is to run it through (Gerau).”

The Bruins called on Gerau last week against Hickman. He scored on a 77-yard pass on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

It was the highlight of his season so far. Those big plays will help him in recruiting, he said.

Although his injury set him back, schools are starting to call again. He talked to Iowa over the summer, and Kansas and Missouri State have recently called him. Missouri and Tulsa are also interests.

Gerau rarely sits out a play, but once he catches his breath, he’s back in the huddle.

“When you’re on the sideline,” he said, “you just want to get out there more.”