Gateway football prepared for 1st trip to PIAA tournament

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 | 6:39 PM

Before Saturday, it had been 31 years since Gateway football won a WPIAL title. Unlike today, winning the WPIAL title in 1986 did not coincide with a trip to the state playoffs, since there wasn't a state tournament.

After defeating Penn-Trafford, 21-16, at Heinz Field on Saturday, the Gators will finally get that opportunity to enter the state tournament for the first time in program history.

“It is a great feeling,” coach Don Holl said. “It is such a great league with great tradition and teams. It is gratifying and satisfying when you can win one. With some good fortune and great players and support from the school, it is great to get to the top of the WPIAL.

“There was a lot of excitement on the journey and drive to get there. It was such a great tournament in Class 5A. We are excited to keep the season going and play again together. It will never be the same group.”

Gateway's first step toward another title in 2017 will be Saturday against District 6 champion Hollidaysburg (8-3). The game will be played at Mansion Park in Altoona at 1 p.m.

The Gators (12-1) are excited to represent the WPIAL moving forward, but know they have to maintain their focus only on their next opponent.

“This is a new tournament with eight teams in it, and we are one of them,” Holl said. “Then we narrowed it down to just our game because the rest doesn't matter if we don't win. It is nice to acknowledge that accomplishment and we are proud to represent the WPIAL in the state playoffs. We want to do right by the league.”

Hollidaysburg won a PIAA subregional game 30-27 against previously-undefeated Grove City on Friday. Holl, who is familiar with Golden Tigers coach Homer DeLattre from when he coached with Cathedral Prep, knows he has his work cut out for him this week.

“They are a big, physical team,” Holl said. “They play hard and smart and don't beat themselves. It is a good operation.

“We use the term ‘faceless opponent,' meaning we need to do better what we can do. We need to continue to execute better than the other team.”

Gators senior quarterback Brady Walker has executed better than anyone else in the WPIAL this season at that position. Entering Saturday's game, Walker leads the WPIAL with 3,609 passing yards and has thrown 38 touchdowns. With his performance in the WPIAL championship game, Walker moved into third place on the WPIAL all-time passing list.

“Brady is our guy,” Holl said. “He is such a multi-talented guy and has an understanding of what we need to do. He is a great leader and athlete. He has now won a championship and has us on the road again.”

While Walker has provided the senior leadership, freshman Derrick Davis has led the youth movement for the Gators at running back and on defense. Davis has rushed for 353 yards and eight touchdowns on 60 carries and has 28 receptions for 397 yards and two touchdowns, with the majority of his production coming in the final month.

“Derrick has really done some things that are special and memorable,” Holl said. “He is just so talented and he works very hard at what he is doing. When you mix the talent level with the work ethic and talent, it results in a player where the sky's the limit.”

Hollidaysburg's offense is guided by junior quarterback Brady Walters, who has thrown for 1,406 yards and 16 touchdowns and also run for 666 yards and 12 scores. Senior running back Patrick Young has added 942 yards and 12 scores on the ground.

Senior Jack Sauserman is the primary pass catcher with 34 receptions for 686 yards and 13 touchdowns.

While Gateway feels confident it has the offensive firepower to keep up with any of the remaining teams, the Gators know they are going to have to string together strong defensive efforts if they want to advance past this weekend.

“When you get to this point in the year, all the teams that are still alive are good on both sides of the ball,” Holl said. “I think our defense has continued to get better and better and have been really good. It is why we are where we are.”

Drew Karpen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway