GATEWAY
Mascot: Olympians
Coach: Shane Ward, 2nd season
2014 record: 0-10 overall, 0-6 in South Metro League (missed 5A playoffs)
Players to watch: Kendall Coleman, 6-foot, 180 pounds, DB/WR, sr.; Dylan Paulsen, 6-1, 170, WR/DB/K, sr.; CJ Sanders, 5-10, 160, RB/DB/Ret, sr.; Cameron Albritton, 5-8, 165, LB/WR, sr.; Charles Chandler, 6-1, 170, DB/WR, sr.
2015 outlook: Coach Shane Ward knew what could be in store for the 2014 season, as he missed a lot of preparation time when he was hired late and had a loaded schedule that included the likes of Mullen, Grandview and Broomfield. Still learning about his team and going through that adversity, Gateway finished winless, capped by a non-playoff Week 10 game against Thornton. Ward has taken it all in stride — “let’s not beat around the bush, we can’t do worse” — but has been been very encouraged by the work he saw from his players in the summer, most importantly in the weight room. With a good work ethic and leaders on and off the field such as seniors Cameron Albritton and Kendall Coleman, the Olys appear to be in a much better place this season. Gateway’s strength is clearly its defensive secondary, which includes Coleman — a returning All-South Metro League first team selection — plus Dylan Paulsen, CJ Sanders and Charles Chandler, which is generally described as a fast, aggressive group. Albritton missed time in 2014 due to injury, but wants to play college football, so he has put in the work as both a linebacker and running back to have a major impact on the team. Gateway will need good line play on both sides of the football to adjust to a change at quarterback on offense and keep Albritton and the defensive backs free to make plays on defense. Sanders returns from a broken thumb injury and should make an impact in a lot of places, including special teams, while Chandler is a move-in from Anchorage, Alaska, who impressed Ward with his presence over the summer. Schedule: Gateway has the same daunting non-league slate of Mullen, Grandview and Broomfield — which went a combined 25-11 last season — and will again delve into the South Metro League. The Olys played Hinkley to within 14 points and meet the T-Birds again Sept. 17.
Schedule: Home games in all caps (played at Aurora Public Schools Stadium (Hinkley)) — Thursday, Sept. 3 — MULLEN, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 10 — vs. Grandview at Legacy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 17 — HINKLEY, 6 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 25 — vs. Smoky Hill at Stutler Bowl, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 2 — vs. Broomfield at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 9 — vs. Arapahoe at Littleton Public Schools STadium, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 16 — RANGEVIEW, 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 23 — HERITAGE, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31 — GRAND JUNCTION, 5 p.m.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
