In less than two full seasons of football, Josh Helsdon has established a reputation for both working and competing hard, been given a nickname that’s a nod to an NFL star and made a major impact for the Bradley Central Bears.
Helsdon had never played a down until last fall, but he has navigated the learning curve extremely well. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound senior received the nickname “Gronk” for having a size and stature comparable to Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, and Helsdon has used his athleticism and brute strength to overpower opponents.
He has helped the Bears (7-0, 3-0 Region 2-6A) to a No. 5 state ranking and the program’s most dominant defensive start of the 21st century. That success has started with a group that includes Helsdon at multiple positions on the defensive line, and the Bears have allowed an average of just 191 yards (77 rushing) per game while totaling 22 sacks.
“The key to our success up front has been doing our job, playing hard and physical,” said Helsdon, who occasionally lines up on offense to block in sets using two tight ends. “All of us up front try to do what we do best, which is bust face.”
A home-schooled student, Helsdon joined the Bears just a few weeks before their 2020 opener, and so he spent the first part of last season having to earn his reps. Now he has 11 career sacks and has been a key defensive leader for the Bears, who have allowed just 80 points this season.