A new era begins
Gomez’s tenure as Dunkirk coach starts tonight
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Dunkirk hopes to start the first page of its football program's new chapter with a positive result tonight. The Marauders host Lake Shore at 7 p.m. at Karl Hoeppner Field.
Dunkirk faces the Eagles to begin the season again, just as they did a year ago in Angola. But although the schools facing off are the same, the teams are very different, most notably atop the Marauders program.
Dunkirk has one of its own leading the team into the season, as Edwin Gomez takes over as head coach. Gomez, a 2013 graduate of Dunkirk High School, played for the Marauders while in high school. Gomez now proudly serves the community he calls home as a city police officer.
"It's a big pride thing. I had pride when I was here … and now being able to come back and not only give back to the community by coaching, but give back to the football program itself, it gives me a sense of honor and pride to be able to have that title," Gomez said. "Hopefully we'll turn the program into something that the community can also be proud of."
A year ago, Dunkirk had multiple chances to capture a season-opening victory over Lake Shore. The Marauders had possession of the ball in the red zone with under two minutes left to play, tied 20-20, and worked the clock down to 33.5 seconds remaining for first-and-goal from the Eagles' 5-yard line. But from that point, a botched snap from the shotgun formation sent Dunkirk all the way back to the 33-yard line. Two plays later, the Eagles intercepted a pass at the 5-yard line and the game went to overtime.
Even in overtime, Dunkirk had another chance to win. Despite the Eagles converting a fourth-and-20 for a 30-yard touchdown for a 26-20 lead in overtime, the Marauders still had a chance to win on their own possession in overtime after a blocked extra point. But instead, a fumble at the goal line was recovered by the Eagles for the 26-20 victory.
"Since it was so close last year, I think it's going to be a competitive game," Gomez said of the rematch to begin this season.
Lake Shore's game-winning connection of quarterback Jaden Kennedy and wide receiver Aiden Kaczmarek will not be part of this season's matchup, as the two seniors from a year ago have both graduated.
"It's a fresh team, it's a fresh group of guys," Gomez said. " … With their seniors that graduated and guys moving up, it's tough to measure last year's team to what they currently have, because you never know the new potential they have coming up with their underclassmen."
Rob Gillette, a sophomore a year ago, began last season's opener at quarterback before eventually giving the reins to Kennedy. Gillette, who led the Eagles in rushing and passing by the end of last season, is expected to return to the Eagles this year.
After last season's loss to begin the year, the Marauders also went on to lose each of the next two games by one possession. Dunkirk eventually lost every game on the schedule last season.
From last season's team to now, Dunkirk lost back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Quanteer Neallard and starting quarterback Noah Sikes. This year, Donny Jackson is likely to replace Sikes under center. Entering his senior year, Jackson is a multi-sport athlete also known for his efforts as the starting catcher on the Dunkirk baseball team.
Also filling a big role in the Marauders' offense this year will be Mike Hanlon, who is expected to take over as the lead running back. Hanlon, like his sister Emilee, starred on the biggest stage in track as a state finalist a year ago.
"He's going to have a lot of weight on his shoulders and responsibilities," Gomez said of Hanlon.
The transition to the varsity head coaching position for Gomez will be eased slightly by having assistant coach Evon Hernandez, along with many of his former players, also making the leap up from the junior varsity program.
Another thing to watch for tonight is the continued tradition of a Dunkirk girls soccer player serving as the football team's kicker. Lauryn McCracken, Dunkirk's junior varsity kicker for Gomez a year ago, follows her coach to the varsity level. She replaces her former soccer teammate Siera Jacques, who is now playing college soccer at Herkimer College.
With so many changes around the program this season, including an increased emphasis on academics from new athletic director AJ Burnside, things could look a lot different for the Marauders in a variety of ways. Gomez hopes the most notable change of all will be the community's support of the team.
"We hope to see everyone come to the first game, to fill the stands again. That's something that's been lacking the last couple years. You used to not be able to find a single seat in the bleachers for Dunkirk football. Now it looks like a barren land out there with so many empty seats," Gomez said. "We're hoping to make that change and bring the pride back to Dunkirk."