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Gateway Gators make good use of summer work
Michael Love | Trib Total Media
Dom Fultz backpedals during a defensive back drill at Gateway’s Antimarino Stadium on July 6, 2015.
Gateway head football coach Tom Nola said he likes what he sees from his players in workouts this summer.
While there are things such as jobs, vacations and other sports to contend with, Nola said there has been as many as 50 players report to workouts.
“Things have gone a lot better this summer than last summer in a number of phases,” said Nola, who is in his second season as Gators head coach.
“They are stronger and in better shape. They also took advantage of winter and spring workouts and time in the weight room. They are participating in the right ways.”
Nola said the strong numbers have really helped get things done.
With a couple of new assistant coaches in the program, some different concepts have been introduced.
“Summer workouts, obviously, are not the same as getting the equipment on (in August), but we are starting to see things take shape.”
Preseason camp for PIAA teams is fast approaching. The start of camp is Aug. 17, 39 days away.
Gateway, Nola said, improved as the 2014 season progressed.
The Gators started 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the Greater Allegheny Conference.
The team rebounded to finish the regular season 4-5, and it clinched a WPIAL Class AAA playoff spot with a 4-4 conference mark.
“(The returning guys) know what it will take to improve on last year's record and accomplishments,” Nola said.
“They saw the progress made from the beginning of last season to the end.”
Nola said he likes the way players such as rising junior lineman Robert Hainsey are ramping up their roles as leaders.
Hainsey, who has been garnering collegiate interest from schools at all NCAA levels, will be a key anchor along the offensive and defensive lines.
“He's really taking charge on the field and in the weight room,” Nola said.
“Dylan Urban is a good baseball player, and he is doing that this summer, but he makes (football) workouts whenever he can. He has a high attention to detail when he's here. He works hard. A few other players are right on the cusp of being the team leaders we need for this season.”
Nola said workouts with other teams this summer really helped get the juices flowing.
Neighboring Plum stopped over to Antimarino Stadium a couple of weeks ago, and the Mustangs, Nola said, really tested Gateway's linemen and skill players.
“Both teams got a lot of work in,” Nola said. “It was fun for both sides. Plum is an improved team with a lot of talent back on both sides of the ball, and you want to face good competition like that.”
Gateway will scrimmage Quad-A's Connellsville and Bethel Park on Aug. 22 and 28, respectively, before opening the 2015 campaign under the lights at Greensburg-Salem on Sept. 4.
The Gators will be out to avenge last year's 9-6 overtime loss to the Golden Lions at home in their Greater Allegheny Conference debut.
Michael Love is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at 412-388-5825 or at mlove@tribweb.com.
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