Gateway’s Amari Gans, Kenny Lewis, Dyson Harper ready to start new chapter at college level

By: Michael Love
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Amari Gans had a breakout senior season for the Gateway football team this past fall.

Now, the newly signed commit to Division II Wheeling hopes to make a similar impact at his new home.

Gans was celebrated last Wednesday as he finalized his decision on the first day of the national letter of intent regular signing period for players heading to Division I or Division II schools.

“We knew Amari was a good player, and we had high expectations for him,” Gateway coach Don Holl said.

“But he exceeded those. He did so many different things for us on both sides of the ball and on special teams. He was a captain, and he really showed that leadership for us.”

Gans said he had been looking forward to signing day and an opportunity to start a new chapter in his life.

“A new beginning like this at Wheeling is a good feeling for me,” Gans said.

“I made so many good memories playing at Gateway, but now it is time to move on. I feel I will have a good staring base at Wheeling and will be able to grow and get better from there.”

Gans will join a Wheeling program that already features a pair of Gateway alums in Ahmad Harris and Leonard Sherrod.

“I was asking them a lot of questions about the school, maybe more than I would ask the coach,” he said.

“I am comfortable with them from being close over the years.”

Gans said he is taking advantage of a Wheeling workout regiment he received from Harris and Sherrod.

“There’s a lot of excitement and anxiousness to get on that field and show my new teammates and coaches what I can do,” he said.

“Going up there as an athlete, I expect to take reps on both sides of the ball. I just want to get on that field and make a difference, wherever that might be.”

Holl said he likes the pipeline that has developed with Wheeling.

“We know the experience Ahmad and Leonard have had and the opportunity Amari will have there,” Holl said.

“Amari will have some friends right off the bat who will help him get settled in to where he can make an impact.”

Gans helped Gateway get into the win column against Plum after losses to North Allegheny and State College to open the season. He scored a pair of touchdowns and delivered a key fourth-quarter interception as the Gators topped the Mustangs, 22-15.

Gans carried the ball 14 times for 67 yards against Plum and added four catches for 47 yards.

He finished the season with 156 carries for 822 yards and 12 touchdowns, while hauling in 44 passes for 439 yards and five scores. For his efforts, Gans received Big East Conference first-team laurels as an at-large selection.

Holl said signing day is one of the best days for him each year.

“We get to experience guys signing and fulfilling a dream of playing college football at the highest levels,” he said.

Signing day also was special for two other Gateway seniors with aspirations for success at the Division II level.

Kenny Lewis continues on the road to recovery after a knee injury forced him to miss Gateway’s entire 2024 season.

The one-time Division I recruit had designs on committing to a Division I school — Marshall was a leading candidate — but change forced a different direction for the Gators standout.

Lewis now hopes to make his mark at Cal (Pa.) as he joins Gateway graduate Racari El, a redshirt sophomore linebacker, on the Vulcans football roster.

“Kenny is such a high-caliber player who I think will be very productive on a college football field,” Holl said.

“He will be a difference maker.”

Holl said Lewis is looking good in his road back.

“He’s running already and is on track for a full recovery,” Holl said. “He’s done so much work. He has a lot of motivation to get back.”

Dyson Harper, at 6 feet and 175 pounds, will join the football team at West Liberty State (W.Va.) and will be reunited with former Gateway running back Jaquon Reynolds.

“Jaquon is there as an example of what (the West Liberty coaches) know in a person and athlete from Gateway,” Holl said.

“I know they really liked Dyson, and he liked them right back. That is what you look for, that connection where you know it’s the right fit. He’s found a great home.”

Dyson enjoyed a strong final season with Gateway. He led the receiving corps with six touchdowns. He caught a total of 21 passes for 407 yards — an average of 19.8 yards per catch.

“He was a kid for us who stretched the field,” Holl said.

“There were a few deep balls he caught that were critical for us. He was dependable, and we counted on him to do a lot of things over his career.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Gateway