Gateway football prepares for rival McKeesport

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, October 15, 2017 | 11:51 PM

The success of the Gateway football team this season is due in large part to not looking past any opponent.

The Gators (7-1, 5-1) finally are preparing for their biggest game when they host McKeesport on Friday in their final regular-season home game.

McKeesport defeated Gateway twice last year, including in the Class 5A WPIAL semifinals at Norwin. As time was expiring, the Tigers completed a hook-and-ladder play for a 41-38 win.

“They certainly remember, but it doesn't make a lot of difference right now,” Gators coach Don Holl said. “That was so long ago. A lot of those guys are playing in college now. For what it is worth, we need to focus on a good football team. We have our work cut out for us.

“The biggest motivation is that they are a great football program. Most years, you are going to have to beat them to win the section. You want to play the best teams in key moments. We are pretty excited about it.”

Gateway is tied for second place with McKeesport in the Big East Conference and is coming off its best offensive game Friday in a 61-21 win against Kiski Area on homecoming night.

“It clinched us a playoff berth, which is huge for us,” Holl said of last week's win. “Where we will end up in the playoffs will be determined moving forward.”

Like he has all season long, senior quarterback Brady Walker led the Gators with perhaps his best game of his career. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 405 yards and six touchdowns.

“That is the beauty of having an experienced quarterback,” Holl said. “He is so critical of himself in a good way. He sees what he could have done better even in that performance. He played really well. He was a big part of why we won the game.”

The Gators have won their past two games since losing to Penn-Trafford, 28-0.

“They are kids, and they have ups and downs,” Holl said. “We got outplayed that night. All we can do is go through the process. Not everything was bad that game.

“We had some guys in the lineup that were first-time guys that played well. As they get more comfortable, they get better, and that is what has happened since that game. That is the biggest upside.”

At the end of the day, no matter the opponent or magnitude of the game, the Gators will continue to approach each game like they have, trying to go 1-0.

“All we can do is control what we can control,” Holl said. “All we can do is prepare for Friday night. Our guys have a lot of pride and competitive spirit. If we do things well enough this week, we will see what happens the following week. We just need a great week of preparation and that is what we are poised to do.”

Drew Karpen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway