A glance at the Gateway football roster shows the word "junior" next to Rob Kalkstein's name.

Make no mistake, though, the designation is nothing more than a word. When it comes to being a high school quarterback, Kalkstein is experienced as they come.

While senior teammates and Ohio State recruits Dorian Bell and Corey Brown grab most of the attention, it's Kalkstein who more often than not flies under the radar, strange considering he is entering his third season as the Gators starting quarterback.

A year from now, Kalkstein likely will become a four-year starter at the position, a rarity at the Quad-A level, and even more so at a powerhouse such as Gateway. But Kalkstein doesn't have to wait another season to earn senior status. In the eyes of his coach, he is already there.

"We treat him like a senior because he's been there playing with the seniors for so long," Gateway coach Terry Smith coach. "We expect him to play like a senior and he's ready to deliver like a senior."

Kalkstein wasted little time exhibiting that veteran moxie, helping the second-ranked Gators roll past No. 1 Penn Hills, 45-17, in a battle of the Post-Gazette's top two Class AAAA teams in last Friday's season opener. Kalkstein played a major role in leading the Gators to a 31-3 halftime lead by tossing two touchdowns and running for another. He finished 9 of 16 for 166 yards.

"He managed the ball very well," Smith said. "He made some very good decisions at the line of scrimmage with checks and reads. He did exactly what we needed him to do."

Playing in such a high-profile game -- particularly to start the season -- is nothing new to Kalkstein. In his first game as a 14-year-old freshman, Kalkstein and the Gators faced a Central Catholic squad ranked ninth in the country by USA Today. Last season, they traveled to Ohio to play Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, then-ranked No. 25 in the nation.

"As each year comes along, I feel more comfortable," Kalkstein said. "The opener is always a tough game, but that's why you have two weeks to prepare. Being an upperclassman, I knew what to expect. That's made it a lot easier."

Kalkstein's continued development has made life easier for Smith, too. As time passes, the responsibilities he tosses in Kalkstein's direction increase. Smith said Kalkstein can make more of the "tough throws," while Kalkstein said he frequently makes calls at the line based on what he sees from an opponent's defense.

Kalkstein freely exudes confidence from his voice. It's a intangible part of his skill-set that has blossomed with the assistance of the bevy of talented players he has teamed with in his career. It's an extended list that includes players such as Cameron Saddler, Jon Ditto and Shayne Hale, all of whom made a large impact on strengthening Kalkstein's psyche.

"It's helped me ease into the game," Kalkstein said. "With Ditto there my first year and looking up to him, and then with Cam and Shayne there last year ... just looking at them in the huddle and them having confidence in me gave me confidence and helped me out a lot."

Always having deferred a leadership role to older teammates, Kalkstein now is playing the part of vocal leader. He knows his play is as critical to the Gators' success as any, and considering the team's lofty status -- ranked No. 3 nationally by USA Today -- his results are all the more scrutinized.

Not that any of it rattles Kalkstein.

"He's responded time and time again in his high school career," Smith said. "He's not an underclassman anymore. He's an upperclassman with the leadership responsibilities. He's done a tremendous job and we couldn't be happier or more pleased with him."