Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Gibsonburg football team had a lot of success last year in its first season under the direction of head coach Shane Dyer, finishing 8-4 overall and 5-2 in SBC play before winning a playoff game and advancing to the regional quarterfinal.
The Golden Bears did so against a strong schedule that included Division VI state runner-up Hopewell-Loudon, Division VI regional quarterfinalist Margaretta and Division VII regional semifinalist Columbus Grove. They also defeated state playoff qualifier Woodmore.
“It was one of those seasons you think about what could have been, or if I could have done this, or could we have done that,” Dyer said. “We were in almost every game. It was 6-0 against Hopewell-Loudon at halftime and we lost to Margaretta by three, so we were so close. I think what I could have done better as a coach. You think about those things during the offseason to try to figure out how you can get a little better for next year.”
Following that run, Gibsonburg graduated six all-conference players in Luke Foster (End/LB), Jett Linton (OT), Aiden Morant (DB/WR), Aiden Nims (RB), Dasch Sutter (DL) and Chuy Rodriguez (LB). Antonio Ibarra and Aiden Senters are also gone.
At the same time, several key players are back, including three First Team All-SBC selections in Grant Smith (RB/LB), Hunter Wasserman (OG/DL) and Reece Walby (QB/DB). Haydin Brown also earned honorable mention recognition on both lines.
Other seniors such as Ty Ickes, Roman Nieset, Evan Shultz, Zac Fruth and Noah Everly are back, too.
Gibsonburg also has two seniors in Xander Zimmerman and Lorenzo Smith, who haven’t played in their previous three seasons.
“We’ll see how they step in and fit a role,” Dyer said. “Guys like Grant, Reece, Hunter and Zac have been there and played big roles the last few years. They’ll provide great leadership, and we're going to see what they can do to help these young kids get ready for these big games we're going to have soon.”
Smith, Walby and Wasserman were all-state selections last year, too.
“And then Zac's a big, strong, physical kid on the line who isn’t quite as quick as Hunter, but he's big and physical, and he's gotten a lot quicker in the offseason,” Dyer said. “Haydin's probably our strongest player. He has one of the best attitudes we have out there.”
In his time at Gibsonburg, Walby has already broken his father’s career interception record and will lead the offense once again at quarterback.
“He’s an athlete where you put him in the right positions or get him close to being in the right positions, and he takes over,” Dyer said. “Once the ball is snapped, he knows the game very well and makes pretty good decisions on both sides of the ball.”
Overall, the Golden Bears have five starters back on each side of the ball. This year’s team features 10 seniors, although the sophomore and junior classes have just nine combined players. The freshmen class has 11 kids.
“Our core group has a lot of experience, and they're willing to share the good things that help this team get better,” Dyer said. “Our leadership is what's going to help us get over those humps when we have them — win or lose. They're good kids, and they'll make us better. That's probably the strength of this team.
“It's the same way on defense. Grant led the team in tackles. He had 115 or 120. He had a lot of tackles, and they were legit tackles. It’s hard to throw over Reece as he reads the ball well. Hunter's a big physical kid inside, and so are Zac and Haydin. You have those kids there, and then you've got to fill in those holes with some of the others.”
The junior class includes Jimmy Sidell, Nathaniel Chafin, David Minich, Keese Sanchez and John Harlach.
“Jimmy hasn’t played a whole lot on varsity, but he’s going to have to step up this year and fill some roles,” Dyer said. “We’re trying to figure out where that will be. A lot of our juniors will have to step up.”
Dyer is excited to see what his guys are capable of.
“I try not to show a lot of emotion. That's just the way I've always been. It’s just my personality,” Dyer said. “I tell them if you see me smile or hop around a little bit, I’m getting excited. The closer I get to the season, the more excited I get to see what these kids can do. You want to be able to build off their strengths and do the best you can with them. That’s my goal.”
