Gonzaga Football dedicates the 136th Season to the loving memory of Coach Reyda ‘85
“I express to all of those participating in Gonzaga’s football program this year my earnest wish for continued success as we approach the culmination of the season.”
Dear Gonzaga Football Fans,
Each year the football season helps kick off our academic year; a hope-filled year of growth in grace, age, and wisdom through a variety of anticipated and surprising victories. As we’ve just finished our first academic quarter of the 2024-2025 school year, we welcome you to Eye Street for today’s American Rivalry Series game.
On behalf of our Headmaster, Mr. Tom Every, our Athletic Director Mr. Terry Kernan ‘08, and everyone on Eye Street, I express to all of those participating in Gonzaga’s football program this year my earnest wish for continued success as we approach the culmination of the season! Please know your hard work and dedication are both respected and appreciated.
I hold particular appreciation for the families who do so much to help make Gonzaga the extraordinary school community we all know and value. In addition, I am grateful to the coaches who instruct, encourage, and guide our fine young men.
Finally, I continue to pray that the spirit of St. Aloysius Gonzaga may inspire each-and-every student-athlete to do his best, to give his best, both on and off of the field, this fall and throughout the year. Gonzaga Hail! And, Go Eagles!
Sincerely, with every best wish,
Fr. Joseph E. Lingan, SJ ‘75 President
Each fall for more than a century, high school football has been the centerpiece for families and communities on Friday night In 2004, the Great American Rivalry Series® was created to celebrate this uniquely American sport and the cultural phenomenon of “Friday Night in America ” The Great American Rivalry Series® shines the spotlight on top high school football rivalries across the nation, where long-standing traditions are valued, expectations are sky high, and followers are passionate and loyal. Each year, select schools across the country are invited to participate in the Series – schools that have always had the BIG game, a traditional rivalry going back many years in which thousands of players, coaches and fans have participated. It is the game the entire community embraces, looks forward to and talks about all year long – the game where memories are made and then relived at high school reunions across America for years to come.
The winning team is presented with the Great American Rivalry Series® Championship Trophy. One player is selected by local media members as the game’s “Most Valuable Player” and awarded a trophy and medal. The top senior student athlete from each football program receives the Scholar Athlete Award. Public address announcements are made noting your school’s involvement in this nationwide program. Your school and game are recognized on GreatAmericanRivarly.com.
GONZAGA VERSUS DEMATHA
Gonzaga 14 DeMatha 7 - WCAC Championship | November 21, 1997
Gonzaga Football defeated DeMatha in the WCAC Championship Game in 1997 (147) The 1997 team came from behind to win in a quagmire at the University of Maryland behind the efforts of current parent and 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee JD Schmidt ’99, Brian Gallagher ’98 (HoF ’13), and David Dugan ‘98 (Gonzaga’s Vice President of Alumni and Advancement).
Gonzaga 12 DeMatha 7 - WCAC Championship | November 25, 2002
In 2002, in a hard fought game at Montgomery Blair, Gonzaga completed a shortened season due to the DMV area sniper with a perfect 10-0 record Future NFL tight end Joey Haynos ’03 pictured left, displays the “Casey” patch as the banner season was dedicated to the memory of long-time Gonzaga Athletics equipment manager, Casey Donohue
Gonzaga 24 DeMatha 14 - ESPN Showdown | October 16, 2015
The rivalry was on display for a national audience when ESPN featured the showdown between #1 Dematha (6-0) and #15 Gonzaga (6-0) in 2015. DeMatha scored on the game’s initial play from scrimmage, Gonzaga would bounce back to win the game with a combination of stingy defense captained by Luke McCaleb ’15 and Kyle Taylor ’15 and a balanced offensive attack spearheaded by Sam Brown ’17, Max Fisher ’17 (pictured right) and Tyree Randolph ’17.
Gonzaga 43 DeMatha 40 - WCAC Championship | November 18, 2018
Down 20 in the 1st quarter, the Eagles came within a touchdown in the 2nd quarter, but would fall behind by 16 points late in the 2nd half. The final minute of the game was storybook as the Eagles drove the length of the field for what appeared to be the game winning drive. For the first time that evening, Gonzaga assumed the lead (40-36) with 29
2021 Gonzaga 24 DeMatha 17 - “Covid Season” Classic | March 13, 2021
The rivalry's one and only Spring game occurred on March 13, 2021 at The St. James in Springfield, VA. A 15 month offseason finally came to a close with the “Covid Season” opener. The Eagles erased a 17 point halftime deficit by scoring 24 unanswered to get the win inspired by the leadership of captains Kye Holmes ’21, Kadari Machen ’22, Jalen McMurray ’21, Trey Jamison ’21, Nate Kurisky ’22 and Adam Uppuluri ’21. Hayden Fisher ’21 pictured right scored the Eagles first touchdown to start the comeback in the second half.
