Le Mars, IA (KTIV) -
At any Gehlen Catholic practice you'll hear words of encouragement.
"You get used to it after awhile for doing this for five years," senior Lorenzo Tomasiello said. "But it's all for the good of the team."
Under 10-year head coach Tony Gunter the team's had a history of success.
"We're in a tradition of winning right now so I guess our goal is to make the playoffs for sure," Gunter said.
The last three seasons, Gehlen Catholic has advanced to the quarterfinals or further. But this year, making a deep run in the post season may not be so easy.
The Jays have some big shoes to fill, those of all-state running back Trevor Bouma. But Gehlen Catholic is confident going into the fall.
"I've definitely pushed myself a lot harder, got to live up, fill their shoes," Tomasiello said. "So, definitely tried a lot harder this off season-get bigger, faster, stronger."
The Jays feel they have the tools to replace the ten starters from last year's squad.
"This is their team this year. I don't think they're too worried what happened last year," Gunter said. "But they do know there was a lot of talent that left us last year and they need to step up."
Helping the Jays in that department are eight players from Spalding Catholic. They weren't able to get the numbers to field a team so now they're helping the green and gold go the distance.
"If not the most athletic team on the field, the smartest team on the field," senior Michael Whitehead said. "Knowing the game is probably what's going to drive this team."
Because the road to the Dome is something this team doesn't take for granted.
Under 10-year head coach Tony Gunter the Jays have a tradition of winning.
