by: Ava Hardaway
With a new season of sports starting at GS, vacancies for coaching spots opened for two fall sports. Football Head Coach Mr. Dave Keefer and boys’ soccer Head Coach Mr. Dan Anderson both left their positions at the end of last year’s seasons. In looking for new head coaches, one team knew where to look for a replacement and the other had to look a little further.
In early January of this year, Mr. Tyler George was named Head Coach of the GS football team. Many emotions filled the head of the new coach when hearing the news of his hiring.
The GS football team lines up to play the Derry Area Trojans. Photo by: Ava Hardaway
“You know, you’re obviously really excited,” Mr. George said. “It’s a new opportunity, a new experience. There are so many great people here, great kids at GS. I was honored to be able to continue these traditions and things GS has to offer.”
When he was hired, George added new coaches to the current coaching staff. They were selected as help to George and the team.
“I keep telling everybody, I am super lucky,” he said. “All the guys I get to work with every single day are hardworking, good guys who truly care about the kids. They want what is best for the kids. It has been great to have them. Again, I am super lucky.”
Seniors who graduated last year left big openings for the upcoming team. Christian McChesney, Kaleb Riggs, Cody Rubrecht and many other names from last year were off the roster. The rising players for the current team had to step up and fill those spots. Guys like Kai Brunot, Peyton Chismar, Adam DePasquale, Julian Stevens and Ayden Thompson were a few of the names mentioned by Coach George.
George had no hesitation in his answer about who has stepped up the most as a leader.
“I will tell you one of the biggest ones is Brady Smith,” he said. “Smith has been such a hard-working kid for us this year. He is a silent leader. He leads by example, and he does the right thing. We are really happy with what he has done so far.”
Senior Julian Stevens has known Coach George since middle school and has grown quite close to him. With being on the previous coaching staff, George had a close relationship with most of the current players.
“He’s a great coach that brings energy to the team,” Stevens said on George stepping in as head coach. “He’s worked our tails off this summer. Emotionally, I am excited because there is more faith on this team and an extra edge that he gave us.”
With the season starting off with two losses and their first win against Ligonier Valley, the Golden Lions hope to gain more wins through the season.
Along with a new head football coach being hired, a new head soccer coach was also hired. Coach Rich Christeleit was hired to fill in for the previous head coach Dan Anderson, after he left following the previous season. When looking for a new head coach, there was a struggle. Starting to look in the summer, it took a little longer to find a coach. Unable to find someone who was willing to take charge of the coaching challenge, Christeleit stepped up.
Senior Carter Rizzo has been on the soccer team since freshman year. He has worked with multiple coaches in the soccer organization. With having a new coach this season, the team has had to rebuild themselves.
“As a senior, we have been through rough season after rough season in my time at the high school,” Rizzo said regarding their previous soccer seasons. “This year, the team seems happier and more focused on winning more games.”
After having a rough season last year, the boys’ soccer team hopes to continue winning throughout the season. Starting off the season with both wins and losses, the team has looked good.
“I am looking forward most to living out the rest of my senior season playing as hard as I can,” he said. “Work with the team to achieve the most we possibly can while I have one year left to do so.”
Athletics at GS has had their starts in the summer and continues through the fall season. Athletic Director Mr. Frank Sundry is excited about the upcoming fall season of sports and the new hires of coaches.
“Both head coaches provide a wealth of knowledge and passion for their respective sports,” Mr. Sundry said. “They were both able to hire great people around them to help support the team and players. We feel that both hires provide our programs with the immediate and future ability to be successful.”
Banners for boys’ soccer seniors line the fence at Offutt field. Photo by: Ava Hardaway
The Lions' Den 