The REPORTER
With a tough schedule on the horizon and several experienced players on the field, the Guerin Catholic football team is ready for another successful season.
Guerin Catholic finished 7-5 last year and made a trip to the sectional championship game. The Golden Eagles will begin tonight with a trip to McCutcheon, a Class 5A school. Guerin Catholic is in Class 3A.
“Our schedule is always challenging,” said Golden Eagles coach Tom Dilley. “McCutcheon is a very good and much improved team. To be prepared for each regular season opponent, we must improve from week to week. If we improve throughout the season, we will be ready for the tournament.”
Senior quarterback Ryan Zimmerman will be leading the way. Zimmerman put up some great numbers for GC last season, but was injured after four games and was unable to play for the remainder of the year. In those four games, Zimmerman was 68-of-103 for 1,035 yards and nine touchdowns. Michael Houze stepped in as a sophomore and did well, totaling 1,621 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games; he is also returning for the Golden Eagles.
The wide receiver positions will be experienced as well. Seniors Jack Cherry and Alex Gibbs both had solid numbers, with 38 and 31 catches respectively. Both caught three touchdown passes. Another senior, Josh Holba, returns at tackle. Guerin Catholic graduated top rusher Justin Zdobylak from last season, but senior Cooper Navarro returns; he gained 343 yards and scored four touchdowns.
On defense, senior linebackers Gavin Stella and Chase Reed will lead in those positions. Stella brings back the most tackles from last season with 92, while Reed made 54 stops. Senior Aaron Keller returns at the safety position; he made 85 tackles. Two other key returning seniors are Nick Bauman (50 tackles) at cornerback and Elijah Taylor (40 tackles) at defensive end.
The special teams will be led by senior Peyton Butts at punter/kicker and senior Max Thompson at long snapper.
“We have had good practices most of the summer,” said Dilley. “They have been particularly good this week.”
The Golden Eagles play their first home game next Friday (Aug. 25) when they host Lafayette Central Catholic in the Bishop’s Cup game. Guerin Catholic then plays at Heritage Christian on Sept. 1 and at Brebeuf Jesuit on Sept. 8 to being Circle City Conference play.