When the nearby Tohopekaliga opened half a decade ago, it presented Gateway Athletics with a huge problem.
As a result, the team not only lost half its student body (including half its athletes), but was also dropped from the Panthers’ class – and relegated to one of the largest and most expansive districts in the state, where they were often inferior to the top teams from Polk County.
Given this schedule, the lack of depth due to open transfer rules and an unfortunate number of serious injuries (the team lost five quarterbacks last year) – the The program has fallen on difficult times, winning only four games in the last three years – including a 0-10 record last year.
Against this background, the Panther government made the difficult decision to classify itself as independent for at least the next two years. Although they are not eligible for the FHSAA playoffs, this has allowed the Panthers to put together a more balanced schedule.
This is not an unprecedented move for schools across the state. Liberty, Poinciana and Gateway will all play as independents this year, while 10 Orange County schools made the same move this year. “Depending on your size and location, you end up getting stuck in a district where you’re not competitive and there’s no real light at the end of the tunnel. That was the basis for independence,” said Gateway coach Marlin Roberts. “We’ll continue to have a good schedule, but we’ll at least give our kids a chance to be competitive in most of these games.”
Roberts, who is celebrating his 17th birthday.th year as head coach at Gateway and 23rd While he’s had a good year overall at the school and has some talent on his roster, he says his team lacks the depth it needs if the injury wave strikes again. “Staying healthy is going to be a big key for us,” Roberts said. “We have some good players, but we’re really thin on certain positions.”
The Panthers offense is led by running back Dashawn Reese, quarterback Jandel Diaz and WR Jeremiah Barnes. Reese (6-0, 200) can be a real liability in the open field, while Roberts calls Diaz an “intelligent player who has a good command of the game.”
Speedy rookie Nydrell Thigpen has made an impressive impression in seven-on-seven games and practices this summer and should also be an important part of the Panthers’ offense.
Other players expected to contribute include LB Dory Thimote, DL Markell Solomon, DB Jayden Gardner and OL/DL Gustavo Gallardo. Gardner is a transfer from Winter Park.
“Like the last few years, we need to use a lot of players on both sides of the ball,” Roberts said. “That’s why it’s extremely important for us to stay healthy. Another key will be to develop a little more depth in both the attack and defense lines.”
Last year was also tough for the Panthers, as an extensive school reconstruction project forced them to play the first eight games of the season away from home, and it was also difficult to find practice fields. The project has been completed and Gateway will play five home games. “Last year was tough for us in many ways,” said Roberts. “It will help if we return to a sense of normality.”
Schedule 2024
Head coach: Marlin Roberts
Independent
Record 2023: 0-10
- 16.8., WINDERMERE, 7pm*
- 23.8., SPACE COAST, 7pm
- 20.8. in the Astronaut, 7pm
- 9/6 in Cypress Creek, 7pm
- 13.9. in the Lake Region, 7 p.m.
- 20.9. in Winter Springs, 7 p.m.
- 26.9. LIBERTY 7pm
- 4.10. St. Cloud, 7pm
- 10/11 LAKE PLACID 7pm
- 18.10. in Poinciana, 7 p.m.
- 25.10. Game-free week
- 11/1 CELEBRATION 7pm
From: J. Daniel Pearson
*Kickoff classic
