GIBSONBURG, Ohio — Gibsonburg overview:
2023 Record: 5-5 (Missed Playoffs)
Head Coach: Joe Wyant (5th year)
Top Returning Players:
Spencer Waugaman, Senior DL (2nd Team All-SBC)
Antonio Salazar, Senior DL (2nd Team All-SBC)
Camden Mooney, Senior LB (2nd Team All-SBC)
Luke Foster, Junior TE (2nd Team All-SBC)
Jett Linton, Junior OL (2nd Team All-SBC)
Dasch Sutter, Junior DL (2nd Team All-SBC)
Aiden Morant, Junior DB (2nd Team All-SBC)
Reese Walby, Sophomore DB (2nd Team All-SBC)
Grant Smith, Sophomore RB (Honorable Mention All-SBC)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 vs. Ottawa Hills
WEEK 2 8/30 @ Seneca East
WEEK 3 9/6 @ Edison
WEEK 4 9/13 @ Hopewell-Loudon*
WEEK 5 9/20 vs. Calvert*
WEEK 6 9/27 @ Woodmore*
WEEK 7 10/4 vs. Lakota*
WEEK 8 10/11 @ Willar*
WEEK 9 10/18 vs. Margaretta*
WEEK 10 10/25 vs. Cory-Rawson
*Denotes Sandusky Bay Conference River Division game
Gibsonburg narrowly missed the playoffs in 2023, finishing in the 17th spot in the Division VII Region 26, just one shy of the last qualifying spot.
"Most of the teams we play, the first five, they're all Division V guys," head coach Joe Wyant said.
The Golden Bears will be going up against a tough schedule that includes Ottawa Hills, Seneca East and Edison to start.
"We've got 30 kids and our kids are playing hard. We have a lot back and I don't think we're intimidated. Last year we had a strong schedule," Wyant said.
One of the returning pieces is quarterback Camden Mooney. The senior first started under center as a sophomore. He acknowledged the strength of teams on the schedule and emphasized the importance of taking care of the body.
"Some of the teams, they definitely do hit us a lot harder than we expect sometimes. It's a lot of recovery, taking our bodies very seriously," Mooney said. "Recovery days are definitely essential, stretching every Saturday morning. Doing yoga as a team really helps. Really just keeping our minds right, staying in the right headspace the whole game, whole week, everything. Just got to do everything right.
The Golden Bears open their season hosting Ottawa Hills.