As the first three-a-day came to a close, a consensual mindset was targeted toward an August 30th match-up with Bellwood-Antis.
Team morale was high and thus was refected in the coaching staff. Smiles and determined glances shot from the teammates faces as we hiked into the “field house.”
Sophomores were introduced, juniors and seniors were reaquainted, all bound together in search of the same goals.
Returning is a nucleus of battle-hardened seniors. Tyler Mertiff, Aaron Jeffries, Blake Cowfer, and Brian MacManigal all return as seasoned veterans. Boyd Taylor, Jesse Snyder, Josh Good, Mike Young, Josh Frye, Ryan Clark, and Andy Fogleman reunite to compliment a strong senior class.
Tommy Crowl, Max Soellner, and Justin Clark head a relatively unknown group of juniors.
An incoming group of sophomores that recently attained the Junior High Big Eight crown round out a mixture of young and old.
Coach Franco resuming his duties at the helm with coach’s Steve Guthoff, Tony Yaniello, Tom Miller, John Meredith, John Gressler, Chuck Banas, Dan Bender, Darren Elvey, and new addition Mark Wyland should make it another interesting season.
During this past offseason the team lost one of its brothers (Randy Estright) in a tragic accident. In our hearts and on the field Randy will maintain an important role on our team. Most definately he will be missed, but we shall never forget him.
Being a Tyrone football player means more than simply donning orange and black, it means being part of an amazing community. Having a supportive town behind our team creates a strong incorporation of pride in me personally.
With the heat and humidity making the practices all most unbareable, it is all worth the feeling of a Friday night at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field.
Many people ask how we can go through these tough three-a-day practices. My response is in the form of a quote from Arnold Swartzenegger, “Pain makes me grow, growing is what I want, therefore pain, is my pleasure.”
