Pirates look to extend winning tradition in loaded IVC

The Garaway football team has been on a torrid pace the past several seasons.

The Pirates had another successful season in 2024, despite having their 36-game regular-season winning streak snapped by eventual Division IV state champion Indian Valley. They finished 10-3 overall and reached the Div. V regional semifinals.

“We graduated 15 quality seniors last year and have 18 seniors this year ready to make their mark on the Garaway football program,” said 25th-year coach Jason Wallick, who has a 187-75 record with the Pirates. “We lose five of six skill guys offensively but return four of our five guys up front in the trenches. Those four guys are all big, strong and physical and will at least give us a chance on Friday nights.”

Seniors Micah Yoder (WR), Brady Miller (OL), Braxton Speed (OL) and Colson Keller (OL) and junior Rylan Garmany (OL) are all returning starters on offense.

“Our offensive strength will be the hogs up front protecting our quarterback and opening up running lanes for our running backs,” Wallick said. “We are extremely inexperienced in our skill positions. (We) have some real quality guys competing for those starting skill positions.”

Seniors Keller (DE), Cooper Gintz (NG), Dillon King (DE), Wyatt Miller (LB), Yoder (DB) and Jaxon Garber (DB) and juniors Matthew Frey (OLB) and Wyatt Reifenschneider (S) are all returning starters on defense.

“We return all three defensive linemen who grew a ton last year and became a force for us as the season progressed,” Wallick said. “We are really looking forward to them wreaking havoc up front this year.

“Inexperience in the secondary (is a weakness to start the season). We have some kids who we could play both ways if we have to early until some younger guys gain experience, but we would rather platoon all of our kids.”

Wallick said he has lots of young and inexperienced players vying for the vacant spots on both sides of the ball.

Garaway finished 3-2 in the Inter-Valley Conference South last year after going unblemished in league play the previous three seasons.

“We have a really strong league with the returning Div. IV state champion Indian Valley leading the way,” Wallick said. “We hope to gain experience quickly and want to get better every day we run out on the field.”

2025 schedule

Aug. 22 at River View

Aug. 29 Expression Prep (West Virginia)

Sept. 5 Norwayne

Sept. 12 at Zanesville

Sept. 19 at Girard

Sept. 26 Claymont

Oct. 3 at Indian Valley

Oct. 10 Tusky Valley

Oct. 17 Sandy Valley

Oct. 24 at Ridgewood