The Division I college coaches look at Rob Kalkstein's body and say "too small." It is a natural comment when the subject is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound high school quarterback.

But put college potential aside, look at Kalkstein's whole body of work -- his statistics, success rate, durability and reliability -- and you could make a case that this little Gateway senior might deserve a small spot in that Western Pennsylvania cradle of great high school quarterbacks.

OK, so maybe you don't mention Kalkstein with Marino, Montana, Namath or the other great Western Pa. quarterbacks from yesteryear. You might not even think he measures up to more recent standouts like Tyler Palko, Bill Stull, Adam DiMichele or Anthony Morelli.

But how many WPIAL quarterbacks have started all four years at the Class AAAA level? Have thrown for more than 6,000 yards? Have won 39 games as a starter?

On top of that, Kalkstein has a chance to become the all-time leading passer in WPIAL history.

Now can we find him a spot in that cradle?

"You can't change facts. The numbers are what they are," said Gateway coach Terry Smith. "Whether he gets another yard or not, or whether he wins another game, he's done a lot of things. I don't want to say he's better than any particular quarterback before him, or he'll be better SEE QB, PAGE S-3

than any who come after him. But I think he should be mentioned with the best guys."

This is Gateway Rob-bery:

• Heading into the WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinal against Penn Hills, Kalkstein is the fourth-leading passer in WPIAL history with 6,003 yards (345 completions in 631 attempts). He is the first AAAA quarterback to throw for 6,000 yards, and, if Gateway wins the WPIAL title, Kalkstein has a great shot at beating the record of 6,741 yards, set by DiMichele, a 2004 Sto-Rox graduate.

• Kalkstein has been a starter since the first game of his freshman year, and his record is 39-8, which puts him among the all-time leaders in victories. Official statistics on which WPIAL quarterback has the most wins as a starter are not available, but West Allegheny's Palko was 48-7 from 1998-2001 and Upper St. Clair's Mac McArdle 40-10 from 1994-97. Kalkstein could get win No. 40 tonight.

But do not try to make a big deal out of the 6,000 yards or the record stuff to Kalkstein.

"It doesn't seem that big of a deal," he said. "I guess it's special to be starting for four years, but it doesn't seem that great to me. I don't take it for granted and I enjoy playing, but I don't think any of this has hit me yet, especially now. We're just trying to win."

This season, Kalkstein has completed 85 of his 130 passes (65 percent) for 1,768 yards and 21 touchdowns.

On top of the wins and impressive statistics, Kalkstein is tough. He has never missed a start in his four years.

"He's had several helmets broken with hits and he's had several facemasks broken," Smith said. "He's taken some hits, and I just wonder how he gets back up."

Well, he can go home to a father who can fix some aches and pains. Bob Kalkstein is a chiropractor.

Rob Kalkstein is part of a family tree that has branches extending well into Gateway football past. Bob Kalkstein played linebacker for the Gators in the late 1970s. Two of Rob's uncles -- Tom and Jeff Kalkstein -- also played quarterback at Gateway in the 1970s.

Rob is the youngest son of Bob and Debbie Kalkstein, and Rob's older brother, Randy, was a quarterback at Gateway in the 1990s.

Rob's grandfather, Randy Cain, was on Gateway's first team in 1958 under legendary coach Pete Antimarino.

"My family has played a great role with me as a player, but also more importantly with education," Rob Kalkstein said. "My Dad is tough on me with school. Pretty much every night he's saying something to me about school."

Bob Kalkstein said, "You know, he's had some very good coaching all the way through. I think that's been the critical thing with his playing."

It was at a passing camp the summer before Kalkstein's freshman year when Smith and his assistant coaches decided Kalkstein needed to be the starting quarterback. Gateway was participating in a 7-on-7 camp at Youngstown State University, and the Gators were using Jon Ditto at quarterback. But Ditto was a converted receiver, and he was not exactly lighting it up in a morning 7-on-7 game.

"The summer is the time when you can see what a kid has, so we decided to give the young kid [Kalkstein] a shot," Smith said.

"He was probably only 5 feet 7 at the time, but he made some completions and good reads and he's been our quarterback ever since."

Smith estimates Kalkstein calls about one-third of Gateway's plays at the line of scrimmage. That shows his intelligence for the game.

Off the field, Kalkstein is one of those high school kids whom fathers wish their daughters would bring home. He is well-spoken and has a 3.6 grade-point average in the classroom.

Kalkstein also is on Gateway's baseball team. He gave up basketball after his sophomore season.

In football, a few Ivy League schools and a few Patriot League schools have showed minimal interest in Kalkstein. Duquesne called him recently, but no one is exactly knocking down his door. He has a good arm and moves well. But there is that size thing.

"I wish I was taller because that's something I heard all summer, going to different college camps," Kalkstein said.

"But there comes a point where you realize it's something you just can't change. The only thing I have control over is the way I play on the field."

Gateway has been in the WPIAL title game the past two seasons, losing both times. In the 10-6 loss last year to Bethel Park, Kalkstein threw for 52 yards, was intercepted twice and fumbled the ball away once. The game ate at him for months.

"It was a devastating loss," he said.

Now he is determined to get Gateway back to the title game.

"If you could have 11 Rob Kalksteins on your team, you'd have a lot of success," Smith said.

But the cradle might have room for only one.

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